BENTON, Ark. — It’s fair week in Saline County, and this year marks a milestone. The Saline County Fair is celebrating its 117th year, continuing a tradition that blends bright carnival lights, rodeo dirt, livestock barns, and the sweet smell of funnel cakes.

For families like the Smiths, the fair is more than just an annual event — it’s a heritage.

“I’ve been here, I’m 60 years old, so I’ve been here for 60 of them,” said Welda Smith, a third-generation fairgoer.

Her family’s connection to the fair began decades ago with her grandfather and father, who showed cattle long before the fairgrounds were established in their current location.

“My dad is 90 years old, and he showed cattle here when he was a little boy… which I don’t think the fairgrounds was here back in that time. It was so

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