By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
If it seems as though the Crawford County Fair is running later than usual you would be right. But the time has come to open the gates for the 158th edition which officially begins on Sunday.
Projects will begin coming in this Thursday and judging starts Friday. The individual honored this year as Outstanding Fair Supporter is Brenda Young. Young retired as the Crawford County 4-H Youth Development Educator.
New events at this year’s fair include a 5K run at 9 o’clock Sunday morning. The Sale of Champions portion of the Junior Fair Livestock Sale will be moved to Saturday, July 25, and held in conjunction with the rest of the sale. The Showman of Showmen competition has been moved from Friday morning to 5 o’clock Friday evening.
Grandstand events will include the traditional Demolition Derby on Sunday and harness racing on Wednesday. Truck and car races will take place Monday and Tuesday. Tractor and truck pulls will be held both Friday and Saturday evenings of the fair.
On Thursday country music star RaeLynn will take the stage. Steel Creek Band will open for RaeLynn at 7:30 that evening with the headliner scheduled to take the stage at 8:30. Tickets are $10 all seating.
Rides at the fair will be provided by JCJ Amusements and will be open at noon on Sunday. Rides will run daily from noon to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to close. Rides will be free on Sunday. Tuesday is Family Appreciation Day in which ride wrist bands will be $5 for each session. Thursday is Dollar Day in which all rides are just $1. All other days wrist bands will be $10 per session and $16 for all-day passes. Tickets will also be sold per ride.
Thursday is Veterans and Senior Citizens Day at the fair. All Armed Services Veterans and Senior Citizens will pay just $1 admission to the fair that day.
Admission to the fair is $5 for those 8 and older. Children under 8 are admitted free. Season passes are available for $30.