By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

The 66^th Annual Shelby County Fair will be Oct. 5-10 at the Shelby County Exhibition Center on Highway 70 in Columbiana sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Columbiana and the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.

The 2015 theme is “Grown in Alabama.” This year promises to be bigger and better than ever with the addition of two new events: Miss Shelby County Fair Pageant and Shelby County Fair Talent Show.

The Miss Shelby County Fair has four titles and age divisions: Miss Petite Shelby County Fair, ages 5-7, and Little Miss Shelby County Fair, ages 6-8, will be crowned Tuesday, Oct. 6; Junior Miss Shelby County Fair, ages 10-13, will be crowned Wednesday, Oct. 7; and Miss Shelby County Fair, ages 14-18, will be crowned Thursday, Oct. 8.

Non-refundable registration fee is $40 and online registration deadline is Friday, Sept. 18 (see Alshelbycountyyfair.com for rules and registration info).

The queens must be residents of Shelby County and will represent the Kiwanis Club at Liberty Day Parade, Columbiana Christmas Parade and other promotional events.

Cash awards will be given to winners as well as a tiara, sash and flower bouquet.

There will be a Miss Photogenic award for each division. The pageant is a natural competition.

The Shelby County Fair Talent Contest will be Saturday, Oct. 10 with five age divisions: Ages 5-7; ages 8-9; ages 10-13; ages 14-18; and adult ages 19 over.

Registration non-refundable fees are $30 for solo act and $20/person for group acts.

Online registration deadline is Friday, Sept. 18 (see www.alshelbycountyfair.com).

Senior adult night will be Friday, Oct. 9 with admission $6 for seniors ages 55 and over.

Student night is Monday, Oct. 5 with a $2 discount coupon available at most schools in Shelby County.

Coupon good for student only. Gate price is $12 and $11 advance tickets online.

Admission includes all rides, parking and entertainment.

Games and concessions are extra.

Sid Wheeler (669-0178) is president of the Kiwanis Club and booth chair. Michael Letlow (603-1375) is the fair manager and handles exhibit registration. Other chairs are: Connie Wheeler, Vicki Letlow, Sue Eddins, Charles and Joyce Payne, Sarah Richards and Bunny Benson.