FARMINGTON — Glenda Barker was coloring the letters of “Fairground” on a sign with a black marker Thursday in between opening Starbird Hall and selling family tickets to the Farmington Fair.

The Franklin County Agricultural Society’s 170th annual fair begins Sunday,  and runs through Saturday, Sept. 25.

The sounds of doors closing, metal clanging and hammers banging could be heard around the fairgrounds.

Workers for Smokey’s Greater Shows were putting rides together. The Ferris wheel, merry-go-around and more rides were already up.

People were working on their booths or setting up in Starbird Hall.

Tractors were being hauled in, recreational vehicles were being set up and truck after truck was heading up the driveways around the grounds.

“We’re going good,” Barker, the Exhibition Hall superintendent, said. “We will be ready. We’ll start to take entries (Friday).”

Entries of vegetables, quilts, fancy work and other items to be shown and judged may be brought to the hall between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, Barker said.

The Grangers will start setting up then, too, she said.

This year the fair will be without one of its biggest supporters. Andrew Pratt, a lifelong member of the society, died in May. The fair program is dedicated to Pratt, who was involved in the fair over the years in a variety of ways.

Pratt was well known for his apple cider making techniques and shared his expertise with children around the county on Agricultural Education Day, usually the first Monday of each fair week.

“Although Andy’s presence will be missed, his lifelong contributions and volunteerism will live on as the Franklin County Agricultural Society continues to promote our agricultural heritage,” the dedication states.

The first event of the fair takes place at 8:30 a.m. Sunday with a steer and oxen scooting contest for boys and girls ages 9 to 15. The Exhibition Hall will be open each day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The last event listed in the fair schedule is the demolition derby at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 25.

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