The 92nd Aannual Beauregard Parish Fair will open today, Oct. 5, with its annual parade through downtown DeRidder that will celebrate the area’s history of farm living, family and fellowship.

One of the most anticipated events in Beauregard Parish each year, the fair and parade make their return after being cancelled last year in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. Because of that, organizers say this year’s event is expected to be extraordinarily popular.

The event will kickoff with the parade themed “Bushels of Fun in 2021” at 5 p.m. Lineup for the parade will begin at 4 p.m., and motorists can expect closures along the 171 route shortly before the parade begins. Parade marshall will be Longville native Jerry Cooley, an Army veteran and Bellsouth employee for 32 years. Cooley has served on the Board of Directors at Camp Pearl for eight years and has been a member of the Beauregard Parish Fair Association for 20 years.

The parade will lead the way along 171 to the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds on West Drive, marking the official opening of the five-day event. At 8 p.m. that night, opening ceremonies will culminate with the crowning of the 92nd Queen BeauFair. Price of admission will be $5 each person school age and above, and all military families will be given complimentary free admission each day of the week with proper identification.

In addition to all the fair food offerings, visitors will be able to peruse the handmade items and tasty treats presented for judging by local residents that will be on display in the exhibition hall and floral building. And those young at heart may enjoy the games and rides that will open along the fairway.

The fairgrounds will open Wednesday morning for educational groups accompanied by teachers beginning at 8 a.m., and the gates will open to the public at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, has been named “Old Folks Day” by organizers, and gates will open at 9 a.m. to allow visitors age 62 and above free admittance. At noon, a special ceremony to acknowledge the oldest citizen will be held in the fairgrounds pavilion.

All Beauregard Parish schools will be closed on Friday, Oct. 8 to allow students to enjoy “Kids Day” at the fair, where all students will be admitted for free. On this day, and again on Saturday, bracelets will be available for purchase to allow unlimited attraction rides from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entertainment will be provided at the pavilion to include appearances by “Sonny the Bird Man,” followed by several live musical acts that evening. The event’s final day will be on Saturday, Oct. 9. Gates will open to the livestock barn at 8 a.m., and the fairway will open at 10 a.m. Tickets to enter are $5 each, and bracelets for unlimited rides will be available for purchase one last time on this day.

Scheduled live entertainment includes a presentation at 1:30 p.m. from Front Porch Pick’n students, followed by the 156th Army Band at 3:30. Entertainer Dani LaCour, the Dixie Darlins, and the Neli & Dillon Band will round out the evenings entertainment until the fair’s closing at 10 p.m. The fair’s gates will be open briefly on Sunday and Monday to allow exhibitors to pick up their items from the exhibition hall and floral building.