Plenty of activities, events at County Fair

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Although the 160th edition of the Van Wert County Fair officially begins this morning, the Fair Board has already held a number of events that used to be held on actual fair days, including the Junior Fair King and Queen Coronation, 4-H Style Review, and 4-H Special Awards ceremony, all of which were held on “Celebration Sunday” this past weekend.

Several events were also judged on Tuesday on the fairgrounds, while the Bulls & Barrels Rodeo took place Tuesday night in front of the grandstand.

Wednesday’s events include a ribboncutting ceremony at 8 a.m. and weigh-ins for Junior Fair turkeys, sheep, and goats.

The midway also opens Wednesday at 3 p.m., while a flag raising ceremony will be held at 6:45 Wednesday evening in front of the grandstand.

Following the flag raising, a Calf Scramble will be the main grandstand event for Wednesday evening, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday the fair gets into full swing, with Veterans Day and Senior Citizens Day both designated for that day at the fair, as well as Kids Day ($3 admission for everyone). There will be a Veterans Day Parade and special program in the Music Pavilion on Thursday, as well as free ham and beans, starting at noon, in the same location.

Harness racing begins at 1 p.m. in front of the grandstand, while the Junior Fair Turkey and Sheep shows will be held at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.

FFA Shop & Crop and Vegetable & Flower exhibits will be judged on Thursday, while a Junior Far alpaca demonstration will take place in the Farm Focus Arena at 5 p.m.

Country singer Natalie Stovall will appear in concert at 8 p.m. Thursday, while the Erwins will perform in the Music Pavilion at 7 Thursday evening.

Other grandstand shows include the Truck Drags & Pulls Show at 7 p.m. Friday, the popular cheerleading contests starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Kids Dream Day from noon-7 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, the Demolition Derby at 7 p.m. Sunday, and special thoroughbred and harness racing events on Monday (Labor Day).

Music Pavilion entertainment includes the Lifehouse Band at 9:30 p.m. Friday, Children Choosing Christ from noon-3 p.m. Saturday, a St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church service at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, Soul’d Out Quartet at 7 p.m. Saturday, and Nut Flush at 9 p.m. Saturday, Christian Davis at 7 p.m. Sunday, Rob G & the Hired Guns at 9 p.m. Sunday, 4-H presentations on Sunday and Monday, and Trinity, Master’s Own, and Tom Kennerk performing, starting at 5 p.m.

Other Junior Fair livestock shows include the Rabbit Show at 4 p.m. Friday; a Dairy Feeder show at 8:30 a.m. Saturday; the Goat and Poultry shows, both at 9 a.m. Saturday; the Beef Show and Horse Pleasure Show, both at noon on Saturday; the Rabbit Showmanship competition at 9 a.m. Sunday; the Horse Contesting competition at 5 p.m. Sunday, the Swine Show at 8:30 a.m. Monday; the Junior Fair Horse Fun Show at 3 p.m. Monday, and the Showman of Showmen competition at 5 p.m. Monday.

Senior Fair and open livestock competitions include the Senior Fair Horse Show and Senior Fair Poultry Show, both at 9 a.m. Friday; the Open Class Ponies and Draft Horses show at 8:30 a.m. Saturday; the Senior Fair Poultry Show continues at 9 a.m. Saturday; the Senior Rabbit Show at 10 a.m. Saturday; the Boer Goat Show at 11 a.m. Saturday; the Open to the World Feeder Calf Show at 4:30 p.m. Saturday; the Senior Fair Beef Show at 1:30 p.m. Sunday; the Open to the World Market Lamb Show at 5:30 p.m. Sunday; the Ryan Trentman Memorial Show at 6 p.m. Sunday; the Open Sheep Show at 8 a.m. Monday; and the Senior Fair Dairy Show at 3 p.m. Monday.

One of the biggest events for Junior Fair exhibitors is the Junior Fair Livestock Auction, which takes place starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Farm Focus Arena.

In addition to all the activities, there is that great fair food, as well as fair rides, and fair games to enjoy.

So, enjoy!