September brought the 1976 Washington County Fair, as exciting as usual with rides, games, exhibits and general pandomonium to accompany it.

The Midway featured rides by the Murphy Brothers. Students could test their skill at swinging an airplane in hopes of winning a blacklight poster or throwing wooden rings in anticipation of carrying home a giant stuffed dog. Those who were really daring tried to win a large animal by climbing a treacherous rope ladder.

Such rides as the Himalayan, the Double Ferris Wheel, the Spider and the Twiser produced screaming teens. Others found that “their thing” was the giant rat show, the balloon bust or the mouse race. And as usual, the attraction which drew the larges crowd was the old Burlesque Show (what else). However, the thing most students remembered about the fair was the huge marijuana plant displayed in Thompson Hall.

Besides all the fun and prizes a number of students worked long and hard on displays and livestock competition. The VICA display took first place in club division.

“The Fayetteville High Chapter of the Future Farmers of America had some good practice in judging poultry, beef cattle and dairy cattle, but didn’t compete in any contest,” pointed out member Dick Reese.

In spite of torrential rains and a lot of mud, a large turnout netted the fair $12,000, and even though some of the rides were Fairly scary and the prices were Fairly high, the fair is sure to be back next year.

— 1976 Amethyst