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Whitley County Fair kicks off Wednesday
Grab your cowboy boots because it is time for a good old-fashioned county fair.
The 19th annual Whitley County Fair is scheduled for this Friday and Saturday at the 3R Arena in Williamsburg.
President of the Whitley County Fair Board Harry Alder says there are no major changes to the schedule this year. Fair goers will get to experience all the same attractions they’ve come to know and love.
Registration for the farm and home exhibits will take place Wednesday 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Whitley County Cooperative Extension Office in downtown Williamsburg across the street from city hall.
Alder stated that people are invited to bring their vegetables, canned goods or their knitting, croqueting and quilt works to be entered into those categories.
The displays will be judged Thursday. The winning items will be on display Friday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the downtown extension office.
A variety of events are planned for Friday evening at 3R Arena, including
the antique tractor show from 6 – 9 p.m. The annual cornhole tournament also begins at 6 p.m. that evening and cash prizes will be awarded to the winners.
“We are trying something new,” said Alder. “The kid’s peddle pull tractor contest is something we started this year which begins at 7 p.m.”
Admission to Friday’s events is free.
On Saturday, the day will begin with the mule pull and the antique tractor show at 9 a.m. Gates for the mule pull will open at 8 a.m. There are six classes to compete in at the mule pull and winner’s will receive a cash prize.
The antique tractor show is scheduled to be from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., with the antique tractor slow race and barrel roll contest beginning at 3 p.m.
The night will conclude at 7 p.m. with the husband calling contest, the horse show and the Broomstick Buckaroo.
Alder stated the husband calling contest is all about how loud and creative wives can get when they’re calling their husbands names. It’s all about “what they say and how they say it,” said Alder.
Perhaps the most popular event of the evening is the horse show that also begins at 7 p.m.
“There’s very few annual horse shows around anymore, so we usually have good attendance,” said Alder.
There are 19 segments of the horse show, including events such as the egg and spoon race and costume class.
Of course the Broomstick Buckaroo contest is returning this year with two competitive categories. The first is the best authentically dressed cowboy or cowgirl. The second is the broomstick horse race. These competitions are open to children aged ten years or younger.
Participants must bring their own broomstick horses.
Admission to Saturday’s event is $5 and children under 6 get in for free.
Another segment of the Whitley County fair is the youth Miss Whitley County Fair pageant. This will take place later this month on July 30th at Pleasant View Elementary School.
Competitive events include the Baby contest, Little Miss and Mister contest, and Miss Pre-Teen and Mrs. Teen contests. These are considered open events. Please contact Michelle Calton at 606-524-4635 for more information.
For more information on the events or about the fair, please contact Harry Alder at 606-549-1493. For information regarding the mule pull, contact 606-344-6983. For information regarding the horse show, call 606-549-1382.
The complete schedule of events can be seen in section C-8 of this week’s News Journal.
