For the first time since 2019, Arkansas County residents were able to return to the fairgrounds in DeWitt to enjoy the carnival rides, food, and festivities of the Arkansas County Fair. The fair ran from Tuesday, Sept. 13, to Saturday, Sept. 17.
The Arkansas County Fair Demolition Derby capped off the week on Friday, Sept. 16, and Saturday, Sept. 17.
Jon LaCotts of DeWitt took home first place in the derby. The second-place winner was Alden Hargrove of DeWitt with Matt Golden of DeWitt coming in third. Duane Grisham of DeWitt was named Mad Dawg (Best Driver), and Cody Long of Lexa was the mini-car winner. Treven Scruggs of DeWitt and Cody Heill of DeWitt was second and third-place mini-car winners.
Jacob Sullivan, an Arkansas County Fair Association member and chairman of the derby, said participation was up this year.
“We went back to two nights this year, which I thought was a success. Since 2017, it was the biggest car count that we have had. It will hopefully just keep getting bigger,” Sullivan said.
2022 Sweepstakes Winners
Several Arkansas County residents also entered their baked goods, craft projects, crops, booths, and artwork for judging at the fair. The Arkansas County Extension Office provided a list of this year’s Arkansas County Fair prize winners.
Baked Goods: Aaron Tripplet earned first place in the adult division, Briley Davis won in the youth 14 and over division, and Briley Davis won in the youth 7 to 13 age group.
Canned Products: Eddie Phillips won in the adult division.
Needle Arts: Betty Knoll earned first place in the adult division.
Home Industries: Tammy Campbell was named the adult winner.
Clothing: Betty Vansandt earned first place in the adult division.
Handicrafts: Magon James won in the youth 14 and over division, Emma Green won in the youth 7 to 13 age group, and Sadie Baker earned first place in the youth 6 and under section.
Vegetable Crops: Nancy Adams was named the adult winner, and Carrington Thompson earned first in the youth 14 and over division.
Amateur Gardener(Flowers): Sally Morton earned first place in the adult age division.
Crops – Rice: Clancey Gunnell earned first place in the youth 6 and under category.
Crops – Soybeans: Cassie Neukam was named the adult winner, and Ava Watson earned first place in the youth 6 and under division.
Crops – Corn: Ashley Reed earned first place in the adult division, and Clancey Gunnell won first place in the youth 6 and under division.
Art: Kay Sparks was named the adult winner, Magon James earned first in the youth 14 and over division, and Braylee Hearn was named the youth 7 to 10 winner.
Clothesline Art: Magon James won in the youth 14 and over age group, Emma Green was named the youth 10 to 13 winner, and Collyns Green was named the youth 7 to 10 winner.
Photography – Color: Jace Dondanville was named the adult winner, and Connor Henry earned first in the youth 14 and over division.
Photography – Black and White: Carrington Thompson was named the winner in the youth 14 and over age group.
Additionally, Prairie Gems EH Club and Clover Kids 4-H Club won in the Educational Booth category, DeWitt Era-Enterprise earned first in the Commerical Booth category, and First Christian Church DeWitt won in the Non-Commercial Booth category.
