The 115th edition of the Russell County Jaycees Fair got underway this past weekend at Veterans Fairgrounds in Russell Springs, according to fair officials.

Saturday saw the baby show and pageants get underway with the nightcap being the big car demolition derby. Tony Scales of Russell Springs took the modified class while Garren Dodson of Monticello took the stock class. Nick Barnes of Russell Springs won the kid's derby.

Chelsie Carol Martin, the daughter of Barren and Lisa Johnson of Russell Springs, took home Miss Teen honors while Amber Nicole Whittle, daughter of O.C. and Lesa Whittle of Russell Springs, was crowned Miss Russell County Fair.

Shelby Lynn Bell, the daughter of Joey and Wanda Bell, was crowned Miss Russell County at the pageant while Mrs. Russell County went to Bethany Baird, the wife of Randy Baird. Full baby show and pageant winners can be seen in this week's issue.

The fair's inaugural hillbilly mud bog, was also held on Saturday. Matthew Thomas took first in the 4 and 6 cylinder class, Jymmyee Oakes took the ATV class, Curtis Hill took the V8 class and Isaac Wilson took the Russell County class.

On Sunday, the best in cars and tractors made their way to the grounds to compete in the car and tractor show, always a favorite among locals.

The carnival began on Monday evening along with the Kentucky Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pull Association's truck pull. The event brought out big attendance number as it coincided with the first night of the midway. Monday also saw the Coca-Cola Talent Show winners named as Dorsey Franklin won the 12 and under category, Rollin McFarland in the 22 and up category and Cheyenne Popplwell in the 13-21 age group, whowill be going to compete in the state talent competition.

Tuesday saw a full day of events that began with the dairy show and floral hall exhibits. The championship mule pull as well as the small car demolition derby and the lawnmower demo derby.

On Wednesday, championship wrestling in the pavilion and lawn mower pulls headlined the schedule which again brought out a large crowd.

Thursday's day of events is scheduled to get underway at 4 p.m. when the petting zoo opens. Then at 6 p.m. the carnival opens up with the entertainment for the night being cage fighting in the pavilion and ATV races, both scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m.

On Friday the State Hereford Show begins at 1 p.m. The open and 4-H beef show is set to begin at 6 p.m., as does the carnival. The KTPA truck pull will get underway at 7 p.m. while a chainsaw carving exhibit will begin in the grove at 6 p.m. and again at 8 p.m.

To cap off the fair's final day on Saturday a full day of activities will begin at 8 a.m. with the 4-H shoot. At 9 a.m., the much-anticipated kids day events begin. At 10 a.m. the FFA Tractor Driving and Hay Toss and the Horseshoe tournament begin. At 1 p.m. the cornhole tournament begins with horse racing to begin at 2 p.m.

At 4:30 p.m., the Russell County Derby, one of the last county fair derbies in Kentucky, will be ran followed by the horse and mule pull at 6 p.m.

At 7 p.m., the evening's feature, the championship rodeo will begin with closing ceremonies and giveaways sending off the fair at 10 p.m.

The carnival opens at 6 p.m. each night with an $8 gate, according to fair officials. On Saturday, the carnival will open at 1 p.m.

The local Jaycees have worked hard to prepare for the fair all year long, so if you haven't made it out yet, be sure to head over to Veteran's Fairgrounds in Russell Springs to check out one of the most popular county fairs in the state.