NEWPORT-The wonderful smell of funnel cakes is already emanating from the Cocke County A&I Fairgrounds as the 2010 version of the Cocke County A&I Fair kicks off on Saturday, August 7, and continues through Saturday, August 14.

There will be plenty of fun for everyone again this year from rides, carnival food, livestock shows, beauty pageants and lots more.

One of the highlights of this year's fair will be the 'Racking & Riding' at the Cocke County A&I Fairgrounds Annual Flat-Shod Pleasure Horse Show, slated for this Saturday, August 7, starting at 6 p.m.

This year's horse show will feature 30 classes, and will begin after the opening ceremonies with Lead Line, followed by 4-H Hunt Seat (Walk, Trot), Open Style Racking (Show Walk, Style Rack), Juvenile Western Pleasure (17 & Under, Walk-Jog), Plantation Pleasure (Flat Walk & Running Walk), Ladies' Gaited Pleasure (Walk-Pleasure Gait), Juvenile Trail Pleasure (Walk-Trail Pleasure Gait), Spotted Racking (Walk-Slow Rack-Fast Rack), Western Pleasure (Walk-Jog-Lope), Water Glass Racking (Walk-Pleasure Gait), Juvenile Open Racking (17 & Under, Show Walk-Slow Rack-Fast Rack), 4-H Western (Walk-Jog-Lope) and Men's Gaited Pleasure (Walk-Pleasure Gait). The first half of the show will end with the always-popular Stick Horse class. Riders are being invited to bring their favorite Stick Horse. There will be no entry fee for this class and blue ribbons will be awarded.

Following intermission, the second half of the show will begin with Country Pleasure (Walk-Pleasure Gait), followed by Ride-A-Buck Racking (Walk-Slow Rack-Fast Rack), Trail Pleasure (Walk-Trail Pleasure Gait), Juvenile Country Pleasure (Walk-Pleasure Gait), Flat-Shod Racking (Show Walk-Slow Rack-Fast Rack), Open Racking (Show Walk-Slow Rack-Fast Rack), Youth Walk/Trot/or Jog (17 & under), 4-H Gaited (Walk-Pleasure Gait), Novice Gaited Pleasure (Any horse that has not won a blue ribbon-Walk-Pleasure Gait), Adult Walk-Jog, Open Paso Fino (Show Walk, Paso Corte, Paso Largo), Jack & Jill Benny (Favorite Gait-Walk & Pleasure), Speed Racking (Show Walk-Slow Rack-Fast Rack), Championship Western Pleasure (Walk-Jog-Lope), Championship Country Pleasure (Walk-Pleasure Gait) and Championship Racking (Show Walk-Slow Rack-Fast Rack).

In addition to the horse show, there are plenty of activities for the sports minded throughout the eight-day fair.

On Sunday, August 8, the featured event will be the Cocke County Firemen's Combat Challenge starting at 6 p.m. Bring your seats to the track on the fairgrounds and watch our area firemen battle it out in some pretty grueling events.

On Monday, August 9, our Cub Scouts will be hosting their Bicycle Challenge on the track starting a 7 p.m.

On Tuesday, August 10, it's Bike Night on the track starting at 6 p.m.

Tractor and Truck Pull enthusiasts will be treated to two nights of action at this year's fair. The Smoker Tractor and Truck Pull will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, August 11 and 12, on the track starting at 7:00 each evening.

On Friday, August 13, check out the ATV's Timed Challenge on the track starting at 7 p.m.

And on Saturday, August 14, the last day of the fair, don't miss the Farm Olympics on the track. This competition is going to be incredibly fun, beginning with the Husband/Wife shouting contest, followed by the Rooster Crowing contest for both adults and kids. The Farm Olympics will also include the Egg Toss, Milk Pail Relay, Potato Sack Dash, the Turkey Scramble, the Hay Bale Toss, Chicken Herding, the Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest for both adults and kids, the Tater Relay Race, the Stick Horse Barrell Race, the Duck Waddle race, the Calf Scramble for kids ages 5-8 and the Mutton Rodeo for kids 5-7. Cash prizes will be awarded.