New attractions, annual favorites fill fair calendar

The Greater Jefferson County Fair will open for its 64th run next week, with new events and attractions alongside annual favorites ? and all for free gate admission.

The fair, with 4-H?er AJ Greiner?s theme ?Cows, pigs and sheep Oh My! Whirl on thru the Jefferson County Fair,? is scheduled to open Wednesday and continue through May 27.

Although the fair doesn?t officially open until Wednesday, that doesn?t mean there aren?t activities being held earlier in the week.

Monday, conference judging for 4-H projects gets under way at 8:30 a.m. and continues throughout the day, with 4-H clubs assigned different blocks of time for members to bring projects to the Activity Building for judging and exhibiting. Only the 4-H exhibitors and their parents are allowed in the building Monday.

Judging for Clover Kids projects and the clothing event also is planned Monday, along with bucket bottle calf project and bottle lamb interviews.

Pre-fair events continue Tuesday with the 4-H Horse Show beginning at 8 a.m. at the horse arena.

?We need more people to come and watch us,? said Mickey Reynolds, a 4-H?er who has participated in the horse show for several years. ?People always forget to come because it?s held early.?

Another highlight Tuesday is the annual fair parade.

The parade will step off from the Fairfield High School parking lot at 6:30 p.m., wind past Central Park, Jefferson County Courthouse and back to the high school.

The parade is not just for 4-H?ers, and ?everyone is welcome? to participate, said parade chairman Denny Thomes.

He also said be prepared: parade participants are allowed to toss candy and trinkets to spectators.

Parade winners in several different categories will be announced and trophies will be presented during the Little Miss Contest Wednesday evening on the show arena stage.

In addition to the Little Miss Contest on the opening evening of the fair, the Jefferson County Queen Contest, the auction of the Open Class quilt and the Bill Riley Talent are scheduled.

Fair-goers will find several new events this year including a 4-H and FFA llama show, Ag in the Classroom and contests for the ugly shirt, decorated hat and watermelon seed spitting.

Entertainment throughout the fair will include free shows: Jeremy Nunes Front Porch Comedy; the band Lochren, presented in collaboration with the Live on the Square summer concert series; and the band StarBolt.

And don?t forget the carnival featuring games and rides, with reduced-price armbands available at set times.

The fair also will include the 4-H and FFA livestock shows and the Doug Moothart Memorial Open Class Beef Show.

The grandstand entertainment will include Tuff Trucks, quad races, a truck and tractor pull and the ever-popular, demolition derby.

While there is fee to attend the grandstand events, the front gate fee is free.

Jefferson County Fair Board president Steve Fritchen explained the board eliminated the admission fee so more people, who are dealing with high gas prices and other economic problems, could come and enjoy the fair.

A special section featuring a schedule of fair events is included in today?s Ledger. A special section, with both a schedule of events and participant rules and information, was inserted in the June 3 edition of The Ledger. A fair calendar listing of activities also will be included on the Lifestyles pages beginning today.