The 65th annual Lenoir County Agricultural Fair has been canceled for 2020. 

“We made every attempt to have this event, but with COVID and the governor’s executive orders still an issue we decided to cancel this year’s fair and begin working on 2021,” said Waylon Adams, president of the Lenoir County Fair Association.

Instead of the annual county fair, the fairgrounds will host the first annual Chick’n Lick’n BBQ chicken grilling competition on Saturday, October 10.

“We have been very fortunate to have received over 15 sponsorships as well as 10 cook teams to date,” said Adams. “We are actively looking for additional cook teams to sign up. There is no entry fee and the chicken is provided by the fair association.”

In addition to the BBQ chicken grilling competition on October 10, there will be several additional events planned for that day. 

“We have our annual cast iron cook-off competition, a car show from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, music and a motocross race that evening at 6:00 pm,” said Adams.

The BBQ chicken plates will be sold beginning at 11:00 am on the day of the competition at the fairgrounds as well as the Farmer’s Market with future sale sites to be announced.

“We have planned a family fun day long event not to replace the fair (because the fair will be back next year), but to offer our community a fun filled day of activity in place of our 65th annual county fair,” said Adams.

The annual fall fair has seen recent attendance averages of over 10,000 according to the fair’s website. More information about the Chick’n Lick’n BBQ chicken grilling competition can be found on their website.

“We are sad that the fair has been canceled but we are excited about the new Annual Chick’n Lickn competition,” said Tonya Adams, Lenoir County Fair Association member.