The Caneyville Fair and Homecoming, the last major gathering of the fair season, begins on September 30 this year with a community church service opening up the weekend.

According to Community Club President Deborah Lambert, the service is a great way to get everyone on a good mindset for the annual event.

"It is just letting area churches get together for a time of worship," mentioned Lambert. "We do this every year. We always like to start the fair off with a state of worship. Caneyville Baptist Church is heading up the service. The gathering kicks off the fair weekend."

This is the 76th year for the Caneyville Fair, held at the old elementary school, located off of Highway 62 in town. This is the 35th year that the Caneyville Community Club has sponsored the festivities. Total cost for the festivities is about $10,000.

As with all of the annual homecomings, the Caneyville group is no different. They have implemented some major changes this season to better accommodate fairgoers.

Rides will be open for people of all ages to enjoy on Thursday night, starting at 5 p.m. All rides will be $1 each. Playland Amusements, out of Florida, is the provider of the entertainment.

A new website also allows the locals a chance to get a full-detailed look at upcoming events for the fair. Fair representative April Dossey created the page, www.caneyvillefairwebs.com, a few months ago. It lists a schedule of events, shows pictures from last year's parade and lists printable registration forms for pageants.

The theme for the 2009 Caneyville fair is 'What does the fair mean to you'.

Lambert talked about why the group decided to open up the festivities to an additional night.

"We always have the beauty pageants on Thursday night," explained Lambert. "The rides were already setup by then, so it just made sense to open up the rides for another night. It also gives the vendors an additional night to sell items at their booths."

Dossey heads up the young miss, junior miss, teen and miss Caneyville pageants, all of which are held inside the old school gym, starting at 6 p.m.

The parade forms at 8:30 a.m. at the new Caneyville School in the parking lot. Judging will begin at 9 a.m., with the parade to follow at 10 a.m. The route goes from the new school to the four-way stop, in the main part of town, and ends at the old elementary school.

"The school really gets involved in this," said Lambert. "It is a great way for the kids to be part of something. You never know what you are going to get each year."

The Bank of Caneyville is the sponsor for the parade. Total prize money for all float winners is $380. Last year's parade was the biggest turnout the club had ever seen.

Armband specials for rides are back again this year for both Friday and Saturday night. Rides begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, and at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Other events for Friday include a spelling bee for school age kids at 11:30 a.m., old-fashioned games beginning at 1 p.m., a pet show at 3:30 p.m. and an outdoor singing at 5 p.m.

Fan favorite, the terrapin race, is back again for Saturday morning at 9 a.m.

"Last year we had 150-200 terrapins racing in different heats," remembered Lambert. "The event really brings in a lot of participation from the community."

Additional contests for Saturday include a mini-tractor pull for children and adults, rooster calling, husband calling, pig calling, and much more. A Heehaw show, starting at 7 p.m., wraps up the weekend.

"The heehaw show is really something to watch," mentioned Lambert. "It involves a lot of local talent from Grayson County. We try to keep it very community driven."

One of Lambert's major concerns for the festivities this year is the weather.

"We are hoping the weather will cooperate," urged Lambert. "It has been so cool. Our main goal is to just have something that is a fellowship of the community. It is a big homecoming for everyone."