157th edition of VW County Fair opens

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The 157th edition of the Van Wert County Fair begins today, with several new activities and events, as well as the traditional livestock shows, Junior Fair events, rides and other activities.

The fair officially opens today at 8 a.m., but the grand official opening won’t occur until 5 p.m. today in front of the grandstand (click here for a fair schedule).

The Junior Fair king and queen coronation will take place a half-hour later in the Gospel Pavilion, followed by the 4-H special awards ceremony in the same venue.

A flag-raising ceremony will be held at 6:45 p.m. in front of the grandstand, while harness racing begins at 7 this evening at the grandstand. A baked goods auction also will be held at 7 this evening in the Entertainment Tent.

Thursday is Kids Day at the fair, with $3 admission for all and kids 8 and under receiving free admission that day.

Rides start at 3 that afternoon, while K-9 demonstrations will be held from 3-6 p.m. Thursday on the midway. Free entertainment for Thursday will include Gabriella Emerick from 5-7 p.m. in the Entertainment Tent, Triumphant Quartet at the Gospel Pavilion, and Crossroads in the Entertainment Tent. There will also be harness racing in front of the grandstand on Thursday.

Junior Fair events on Thursday include the Turkey Show, FFA Crop & Shop judging, FFA Vegetables & Flower Garden judging and Sheep Show.

Friday is Veterans Day and Senior Citizens Day, with military veterans and those 60 and over admitted free that day. Veterans and seniors will also receive free doughnuts in the Entertainment Tent from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, while veterans will be served free bean soup and cornbread in the Entertainment Tent from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. A special program will also be held in the Entertainment Tent from noon-1:30 p.m. and a Veterans Day Parade will be held at 11:30 a.m., starting on Balyeat Avenue.

A singles horseshoe competition will be held from 1-6 p.m. Friday on the horseshoe courts, while several livestock shows will be held on Friday, including the American Dairy Goat Show, Open Class Mules/Miniature Horse Show, Senior Fair Pleasure Horse Show, Senior Four Poultry/Bird Show, Senior Fair Stock Horse Show, and the Ryan Trentman Memorial Open Swine Show.

Grandstand entertainment will feature the Michindoh Truck & Tractor Pull, which begins at 7 p.m. Friday. Free entertainment on Friday will feature Tom Rupert from 2-3 and 8-9 p.m., Dee Fisher at 4-6 p.m., both in the Entertainment Tent, the Woodsman Quartet in the Gospel Pavilion, and Connor Rose from 7-8 and 9-10 p.m. in the Entertainment Tent.

Junior Fair events on Friday include the Dairy Show, Poultry Show, Swine Showmanship and Farrow to Finish Show, and Rabbit Show.

Saturday’s events include a number of Senior Fair shows, including the American Dairy Goat Show, Senior Fair Rabbit Show, Open Class Ponies and Draft Horses, Senior Fair Crops/Canned Goods/Farm Products, Poultry Show, Open Class Ponies and the Open to the World Feeder Calf Show.

The popular Cheerleading Invitational will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday in front of the grandstand, while a Kiddle Tractor Pull will also be held that day.

Entertainment on Saturday is headlined by Country star James Otto, who will perform in front of the grandstand, starting at 8 p.m.

Free entertainment will include the Van Wert Area Concert Band and Shambam in the Entertainment Tent, and Love & the Outcome and Hawk Nelson in the Gospel Pavilion. St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church will also conduct a church service in the Entertainment Tent from 6-7 p.m. Saturday.

Junior Events on Saturday include the Dairy Feeder Show, Beef Show and Goat Show.

Church services will be held Sunday in the Gospel Pavilion, starting at 10 a.m., while a Horse Pull will be held in front of the grandstand at noon. Doubles horseshoe competition will begin at 1 p.m., while the 4-H Talent Show will be held in the Entertainment Tent from 1-2 p.m. Sunday, followed by a Fashion Show from 2-4 p.m.

Senior Fair shows include the Beef Show, Van Wert County Market Lamb Show and Open to the World Market Lamb Show, while Junior Fair shows include the Pleasure Horse Show, Rabbit Showmanship Show and Showman of Showmen competition.

The featured grandstand entertainment for Sunday will be the Auto Demolition Show, which will begin at 7 p.m.

Free entertainment will include Bluegrass music from 4:30-7 p.m. and Broken Lights (9-11 p.m.) in the Entertainment Tent and the Guardians Quartet in the Gospel Pavilion.

Monday is Labor Day, as well as the last official day of the fair, and will feature thoroughbred horse racing in front of the grandstand, starting at 1 p.m.

Senior Fair events include the Open Sheep Show, and Senior Fair Dairy Show. Junior Fair shows include the Swine Show and Horse Contesting.

The ever-popular High School Band Show featuring a number of area high school bands will be the featured grandstand entertainment, starting at 7 p.m. Monday.

Free entertainment will include Pam’s School of Dance, a tattoo contest and Broken Lights, all in the Entertainment Tent, and the Punches Family in the Gospel Pavilion.

There is only one event on Tuesday, but that one is all-important to Junior Fair exhibitors: the Junior Fair Livestock Auction, which will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Farm Focus Arena.

As well as the many events and activities, the fair will also include great food, rides and games for young and old. Don’t miss the 2013 edition of the Van Wert County Fair.