Old Fashioned Farmers Days coming

Van Wert independent/Old Fashioned Farmers Days information

Old Fashioned Farmers Days will run from Thursday, June 30, through Sunday, July 3, at the

Van Wert County Fairgrounds.  Many new attractions are on the agenda for this year’s show.

Newly crowned Miss Ohio Ellen Bryan, a Celina native, will be on hand this year to help with activities on Friday, July 1. Miss Ohio will be at the fairgrounds from 4-8 p.m. and will be helping with the kiddie tractor pull, Draft Horse & Mule Fun Time, possibly singing a tune, talking on lightning and how it can harm people and just meeting people at the show and signing autographs.

On Thursday (Senior Citizens Day: seniors half price), June 30 those attending this year’s event will be able to feast their eyes on a number of old cars that have been restored to their original appearance during the annual car show, which will start at 4 p.m.  Those who stroll through and look at the automotive beauties, can also listen to a DJ playing Fifties and Sixties music.

On Friday, activities will start with the antique car races at 10 a.m. An antique tractor pull will follow the racers. The afternoon and evening will include musical entertainment that includes Harmonica John & Nancy at 1 p.m., Brock DeLong Music at 2:30 p.m., Spittin’ Image at 4 p.m. and Blind Date at 7 p.m. There will be a cow milking demonstration at 4 that afternoon, followed by the kiddie tractor pull and Draft Horse & Mule fun time at 6 p.m.

Saturday gates will open and the Mule and Donkey show will start at 9 a.m. There will be many classes. A kiddie tractor pull will start at 10 a.m., followed by kids’ games with prizes for all. Dora the Explorer will also be on hand to greet the kids. Be sure and bring cameras, as Dora will be glad to take pictures with the kids.

Antique car racers will be on the track at 10 a.m. followed by the Old & New Truck Show at noon. Jess King Country Gospel will hit the stage at 1 p.m. and Craig Muhlenkamp will be juggling all kinds of things at 2 p.m.  New this year is Kyle “Barney Fife” Lewis.  Lewis looks and talks just like Barney Fife from the “Andy Griffith” television show.  He even has his handcuffs ready at all times. The Banjo Fiddle and Harmonica contest will start at 2 p.m. There always is lots of good talent in this contest.

Mandy Neff, another new addition from Greenville, will perform Country music at 5 p.m., followed by Bavarian Brass polka band from 7-10 p.m.

Sunday (free gate day) will start with the Mid-States Mule & Donkey show at 9 a.m.,

Church services at 10 a.m. with Jess King and Turkey and Ham dinner from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.. Western Ohio Garden Tractor pullers will start pulling at 1 p.m. and a new addition to the show, The Dog Drill Team, will also start its exhibition at 1 p.m.

Other daily events that will go on every day are Quilt and Needle Show, threshing, gas engine and antique tractor displays, flea markets and crafts, animal land, free barrel rides for the kids, make and takes, Kids money cube, rug weaving and other surprises.

Admission is $3 per person Thursday through Saturday.  Sunday is free and children under 12 free. A three-day pass can be obtained at the Fair Board office for $7 per person.  Camping is available for $14 per day for non-exhibitors and $5 day for exhibitors. Golf cart rental is also available.

For more information, call 419.495.2600 or 419.363.3259 or 419.305.2493, or check out the organization’s website at http://www.oldfashionedfarmersdays.com.