Whitley County Fair starts today (July 12), will offer lots of excitement

The 2023 Whitley County Fair is upon us, and from the sound of things, it should be a good one this year.

Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.

My inner Star Wars geek can’t wait to see the 40’x40’ bounce house that the fair will feature this year, which looks like the iconic Millennium Falcon from the classic films. I first saw Star Wars when I was in first grade, and have been hooked on science fiction ever since.

The fair will take place starting today, July 12, through Saturday, July 15. It kicks off this afternoon with a special sensory event that will take place today from noon – 3 p.m.

The sensory event will still feature inflatables, a petting zoo, hay rides and face painting but without loud music and loud noises and/or flashing lights that you will see and hear later in the evening.

This is a nice addition to the fair for people who struggle with loud sounds and flashing lights, and I commend the fair board for adding it.

The fair won’t be open to the general public during the sensory event, but it will be open to the general public starting at 5 p.m. today.

Starting at 6 p.m., the cornhole tournament will take place in the horse ring, and the crowd will get to enjoy the sounds of D-Ray The DJ.

The good news is that there is no admission costs on opening night, but there will be an admission charge on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, there will be a dunking booth featuring area dignitaries, such as Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr., Jailer Jason Wilson, Corbin Mayor Suzie Razmus and Williamsburg Police Chief Jason Caddell among others. It will be $1 per throw or $5 for six throws.

The proceeds will go to a great cause, which is the Kayaking for Kids Kayak Race. The race raises money to provide scholarships for children participating in local Upward Basketball leagues, and to help local school family resource centers.

So turnout and try to dunk some people in order to help our local children.

On Thursday and Friday, gates will open at 4 p.m. each day.

Thursday’s big event is the demolition derby that will start at 7 p.m. I think this is the third year for the demolition derby, which is proving to be quite popular. It is fun to watch people in old junked cars ramming each other in a muddy pit.

They are even planning to have a minivan division, if they get enough entries. The minivan division was actually a suggestion by former News Journal Sports Editor Dean Manning after the first demolition derby.

Friday’s big event will be the horse show, which always draws a big crowd. We have some fine local riders and horses that take part.

Saturday will see the return of the mule pull that will take place starting at 10 a.m. This event hasn’t been part of the fair since 2016, but always seemed to draw pretty good crowds in to see how heavy a load mule teams and draft horses can pull. It’s usually a lot.

The mud bog will take place starting Saturday at 4 p.m. This features four-wheelers and four-wheel drive trucks going through mud filled pits to see who can get through the fastest. Lots of people always turnout to watch this one.

In addition, the fair will feature live musical entertainment each night, including: Straight Creek on Thursday night, Three Years Apart, and John David Mountjoy & The Street Cats on Friday, and Justin Taylor & Lonely Ridge on Saturday night.

In addition, there will be a number of other events taking place, such as the antique tractor show, peddle tractor race and a mullet contest.

For more details about this year’s fair, see the insert in this week’s edition of the News Journal.

The fair will take place at the county fairgrounds in Savoy. If you don’t know where it is at, just get off the interstate at Exit 11 and follow the signs.

If you are looking for something fun and outdoors to do this week, the Whitley County Fair should have a little something for everyone.

I think organizers are even trying to get a carnival lined up for next year’s fair. If successful, this would be another great addition to the fair.