Greater Jefferson County Fair starts Wednesday

At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Fair Parade will usher in the 68th annual Greater Jefferson County Fair, which starts Wednesday ? However, 4-H and FFA events begin Monday morning.

Gene Hoy, Jefferson County 4-H Youth Committee chairman said he?s geared up to be this year?s parade grand marshal.

?It?s my first time, I figure it will be fun,? Hoy said, adding that in addition to the showmanship, exhibits and its support of other activities, the youth committee would operate a new food booth this year.

The fair parade will leave from the Fairfield High School parking lot.

Denny Thomes is this year?s parade coordinator.

Parade participation is not limited to 4-H members.

Those planning to participate in the parade should be at the high school by 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to register.

The parade will follow the same route as it has in years past, which is up Broadway Avenue past Central Park and the courthouse before ending back up at FHS.

Parade participants can throw charms and candy to spectators.

Parade winners will be announced at 6 p.m. Wednesday during the Little Miss Contest.

This year?s fair theme is ?Go Hog Wild at the Greater Jefferson County Fair!? Abby Melcher, a 4-H member, designed the theme and book cover.

?They held a contest to see who would create the best design for the fair?s book and theme,? said Jennifer Gardner, 4-H Youth Coordinator.

Conference judging for 4-H, Clover Kid and FFA projects starts at 8:30 a.m. Monday in the Jefferson County Fairgrounds Activity Building.

However, only exhibitors and their parents are allowed inside for judging. The exhibit opens Wednesday.

The bucket bottle calf project and bottle lamb interviews will be held Monday in the Jefferson County ISU Extension office.

The 4-H Horse Show begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday, followed by the Open Class entry check in at noon, and at 6 p.m. pens will be ready for livestock.

Wednesday?s schedule begins early with a 7-8:30 a.m. Open Class check in in the Activity Building.  Judging begins at 9:30 a.m., and the exhibit opens at 1 p.m.

The Open Class Division is independent of the Jefferson County Fair Board, and exhibitors fund their own exhibits.

The Open Class Division sponsors a variety of activities at the fair, such as a quilt block challenge, a cupcake decorating contest, a duct tape contest, a scavenger hunt and a frozen T-shirt contest.

It also sponsors bubble gum bubble-blowing contests, rubber chicken throwing and watermelon seed spitting contests.

Open Class rules, classes and divisions were printed in a 2015 Jefferson County Fair Schedule in the June 5 Ledger and are also available on the fair?s website at www. Jeffersoncofair.com.

Included in this year?s performances are Mitch Goudy at 8 p.m. Friday and the Wedgewood Brothers Band at 8 p.m. Saturday.

A new beer garden will be open during both performances.

?We haven?t made the final decision on where the beer garden will be located, but it will be located on the west side of the ball field,? said Jefferson County Fair Board treasurer Jared Schultz. ?Everybody needs to come out and support the fair. There are a lot of good events this year. We?ve got five nights of grandstand events, 4-H livestock shows, open class exhibits, the Midway carnival. Just come out and enjoy; there?s something for everyone.?

Gate admission is free, and Grandstand shows are $10 for ages 12 and up and $5 for those 5-11.