GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Preparation for this year’s Clay County Agriculture Fair started the day after the midway rides and food booths headed to their next event.

Executive Director Tasha Hyder always feels challenged to add a new twist to the creative lineup of agriculture, livestock, exhibits, history, midway rides, music and carnival treats.

Two years ago, it was speed dating on the Ferris wheel. Last year it was Sunshine Hours to serve fairgoers with hidden disabilities and Picnic Project to raise money for local charities.

A Fun Fish Show, two new rides from Deggeller Attractions and Silent Disco Goat Party will highlight 11 days of thrills, education and caloric gluttony this year.

“We are gearing up for a wonderful fair, and honestly, I think this has been one of the easiest pre-fair prep seasons I’ve been through,” Hyder said. “So everything’s running smoothly at this point.”

Another change involves the parking lot. After torrential rains flooded the main lots on the third day of last year’s fair, county officials significantly upgraded channel water to runoff areas.

“I think they just put rocks around the drains to help with flooding,” Hyder said. “I don’t think they replaced the drains. They cleaned out the ditches. They cleaned out the ponds. And then they brought in new material for the parking lot like lime rock millings and some sand.

“They’ve been out there for the past month making sure drainage improvements have been made before the fair. I’m really excited about the improvements.”

Rides from Deggeller will start rolling into the Clay County Fairgrounds on March 27 and the gates will open following opening ceremonies at 1:50 p.m. on Thursday, March 30. The fair will run daily and close on Sunday, April 9.

But there’s plenty still happening long before the first funnel cake hits scalding oil.

Applications are due for the Miss Clay County Fair Scholarship Pageant by March 3.

The pageant has four age divisions – Junior Miss for girls 9-10; Pre-Teen for 11-12; Teen Miss for 13-15; and Miss for 16-19. All applications should include fun facts about the applicant, three words that best describe you, hobbies and clubs, community service and volunteer projects and academic achievements, awards and recognitions in the past year and a description of your plans for the future.

The application is posted at claycountyfair.org/participate.

Home arts, horticulture, fair theme and 4-H projects will be dropped off on March 26-27, while poultry, rabbits and swine will be dropped off on March 29.

The fun starts the following day.

Some of the zany contests include the best beard and mustache, open charcuterie board, deviled eggs, puzzle, mullet matchup, Mario Kart and Pacman games and husband calling.