Cotton Fair Fundraising Event October

The Cotton Fair: A Tradition of Community, Fellowship & Service

The Rotary Club of Meriwether County was proud to participate in the beloved Cotton Fair in Gay, Georgia, on October 3–4, 2026! This special event is our Club’s primary fundraiser, helping us continue serving our community through meaningful projects and programs throughout the year.

We were especially honored to welcome Rotary District 6900 Governor Cynthia Edwards on October 3! Her visit made an already wonderful weekend even more special.

Serving Up More Than Just Hot Dogs!

Throughout the weekend, our hardworking Rotarians prepared and served more than 400 hot dogs, topped with slaw, chili, and cheese! Fairgoers also enjoyed candy apples, sweet and unsweetened Milo’s tea, Country Time lemonade, and an early-morning breakfast selection of muffins, hot chocolate, and Dunkin’ or Folgers coffee.

Making a Difference Around the World

In addition to supporting local service projects, the Club held a 50/50 raffle to raise money for Rotary’s fight to end polio worldwide! This special effort gave fairgoers another opportunity to support Rotary’s mission to eradicate polio and protect children from this preventable disease. Every contribution helps bring us closer to a polio-free world.

Through the Cotton Fair, our Club shows that service can make a difference both at home and around the globe.

A Tradition Rooted in History

Since 1972, the Cotton Fair has celebrated the rich agricultural heritage and enduring spirit of Gay, Georgia. Each year, approximately 250 vendors fill the grounds and historic farm buildings dating back to 1891, showcasing beautiful artwork, handmade crafts, gourmet foods, and unique creations from artisans across the Eastern United States.

Every visit brings something new, while the heart of the Fair remains the same: celebrating our shared history and the people who make this community special.

Rotary in Action: Service Above Self

One of the most rewarding parts of the weekend was seeing Rotarians and young leaders working side by side! Members of the Manchester Middle School Interact Club, the Muscogee Rotary Club, and the Rotary Club of Meriwether County joined forces to serve fairgoers, learn from one another, and create lasting memories.

Their enthusiasm, teamwork, and willingness to serve truly reflected Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self. We are grateful to everyone who gave their time and energy to make the weekend a success—and we love hearing that our young volunteers are already looking forward to helping again next year!

A heartfelt THANK YOU to our Rotarians, Interact students, fellow Rotarians from Muscogee, and everyone who stopped by to support us. Your generosity, volunteer spirit, and community pride help make our local service projects and Rotary’s global mission possible.

The Cotton Fair is more than a tradition—it’s a celebration of community, a commitment to service, and a reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together!