Shorter fair forces some events to move

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The 155th edition of the Van Wert County Fair is just around the corner, but with financial constraints leading to a decision to shorten the fair by two days, some popular events will not be held on the same day they have in recent fairs.

The 2011 fair will again begin on the Wednesday prior to Labor Day, August 31 this year, with the traditional grand opening again scheduled for 5 Wednesday evening and the flag raising at 6:45 p.m. that day. The 4-H Style Revue and Show will also be held that day, as usual, but there will be a new event on Wednesday, a Tattoo Contest, while the popular High School Band Show has been moved from its traditional slot the Tuesday after Labor Day to Wednesday evening at 7. The show will again be held in front of the Grandstand.

Thursday will pretty much stay the same as other recent fairs. The day, which is Senior Citizens Day, will include a special program for senior citizens, as well as the Junior Fair King and Queen Coronation at 5:30 p.m. in the Entertainment Tent, followed by the 4-H Special Awards program at the same location an hour later.

Horse racing will also begin on Thursday.

Instead of being held the Wednesday after Labor Day, Veterans Day will be Friday this year at the fair. The day will include a parade and special program for veterans in the Entertainment Tent, starting at noon. The parade will be held at 11:30 that morning.

Saturday will again feature the county cheerleading invitational competition, starting at 10 that morning. Sunday will feature a special church service, beginning at 10 a.m.; a Grandstand Show featuring Jerry Garcia at 1 p.m., the fourth annual Cornhole Tournament, which begins at 2 that afternoon; and karaoke from 4:30-7 p.m. Sunday will also be the day for the ever-popular Demolition Derby, which will begin at 7 that evening.

Labor Day will be the last official day of the fair and will include quarter horse and thoroughbred horse racing in front of the Grandstand. A number of popular gospel groups will sing on Monday, while there will be a rock concert held at 7 p.m. in front of the Grandstand.

The biggest event of the fair — at least for Junior Fair livestock exhibitors – will take place after the other fair activities are done. The Junior Fair Livestock Auction will begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 6, and will run until all the animals are sold.

Although it’s a shorter fair, Fair Board directors say they feel it’s as packed with activities as it ever is. In addition to the above events, there will be plenty of exciting rides, scrumptious fair food, challenging games and plenty of livestock and other shows for both Senior and Junior Fair exhbitors.