SAFORD — The Graham County Fair opened on Thursday, but the real start of the fair weekend was the parade on Friday.
Barbara Lou Gilpin led the parade as Grand Marshal, followed by floats celebrating this year’s Expo theme, “Sew It, Grow It, Show It.”
The parade was attended by floats and candidates representing both the Democratic and Republican parties, as well as candidates such as the San Carlos Apache Tribal Office chairman, vice chairman, and Bayras City Councilman, with numerous political entries. It was conducted.
Music played a major role in the parade, with bands from Safford, Thatcher, Pima, EAC, and several from the San Carlos Apache Reservation.
After the parade, the school bands met for a joint performance on the steps of the Graham County Courthouse.
The fair runs from noon to 11pm on Friday, from 10am to 11pm on Saturday and from noon to 5pm on Sunday.
Admission is $6 for ages 10 to 64, $5 for ages 65 and over, $2 for ages 6 to 9, and free for ages 5 and under.
This year’s performers include the band Huckleberry Road on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Recording artist The Call Trains will headline Friday night. AC/DC tribute band Riff Raff will headline Saturday night.
Other performers include hypnotist Hypno Joe, telepathy and hypnosis from The Perceptives, and juggler James Reed.
On Saturdays, a disc golf tournament and 5km run are held at 8am and a cornhole tournament at 11am. Games for kids include a diaper derby through a pumpkin patch, a grocery grab, a frozen T-shirt contest, and a three-legged and sack race.
