For the first time at the Jennings County Fair, an awards ceremony will be conducted during the fair week to recognize the year-long efforts of 4-H members. The 136th edition of the fair is July 11 to 16 this year.
“In the past, we have always held awards for a private ceremony after the fair, but this year awards for exceptional accomplishments will be given,” said fair board member Beth Steiner. The awards will be presented at 7:30 p.m. July 14 in the Community Building.
More than 900 exhibits of art, crafts, food, gardening and other projects are scheduled for display in the Open Class Building — a record number, Steiner said.
The Jennings County Fair includes three simultaneous but separate types of events: 4-H, grandstand and midway.
“There are a lot of reasons folks come to the fair. Some come for the rides on the midway, some come to see the livestock, some to see the exhibits and some come just to eat. Whatever the reason, I think we have something for everyone this year,” Steiner said.
The majority of 4-H livestock, arts and craft exhibits, food and garden exhibits will be displayed through July 14. The livestock auctions is July 15.
“The 4-H program is a year-round program where new skills can be learned in many areas. For youth, it is also a social experience that can reach far beyond Jennings County,” said Melessa Wiesehan, 4-H youth development extension educator.
The scheduled grandstand events are:
TQ midget auto racing, July 11
Pig wrestling, July 12,
Baby pageant, July 13
Archery competitions, July 14
KOI drag racing, July 15
Mud sling, July 16
“We are really excited about the archery event. You know, Jennings County is getting a real reputation for archery skills and this will give everyone a chance to learn what it is all about,” said Steiner, adding that Accuracy Unlimited personnel will conduct archery competitions for all ages and levels of abilities.
Midway rides will begin most days at 6 p.m., but will begin at 5 p.m. July 16. Arm bands cost $18, but from 1 to 5 p.m. July 13 they can be purchased for $14. Special Needs Day is July 14, and midway rides will cater to those with special needs from 10 to 11 a.m. Call 812-346-3056 to make arrangements.
The midway will include about 50 food and merchandise vendors.
Free music and entertainment will be daily in the Pavilion.
The Pollinator Pathway, an open-air exhibit near the wildlife building, is a new addition.
“You can walk all around it and see just how important all the pollinators are to everything we eat and our whole world. It is a beautiful exhibit and we will add to it every year,” Steiner said.
Also, separate restroom facilities for men and women located near the livestock building are among the new additions.
“Everyone complained about the old, antiquated ones and these new restrooms are just gorgeous. They even have showers,” said Steiner.
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Daily events for the 136th Jennings County Fair. The fairgrounds are located at 4920 State Road 3 North.
July 11
9 a.m.: 4-H rabbit show
9-11 a.m.: 4-H dairy check-in; Open Class entry (perishables)
2 p.m.: 4-H dairy/pygmy goat show
2-3 p.m.: 4-H goat auction pictures
5 p.m.: 4-H goat showmanship
5-10 p.m.: Buildings open to public
6 p.m.: Midway open to public
6:30-8 p.m.: 4-H swine auction pictures; 4-H goat auction pictures; New Balance Bluegrass, in the Pavilion.
7 p.m.: 4-H meat goat show; TQ midgets auto racing, grandstand (gates open for TQ midgets 4 p.m., hot laps 6 p.m., $5 grandstand, $40 pit).
8 p.m.: Open goat showmanship show
9 p.m.: Seed spitting contest, in the Pavilion.
July 12
9 a.m.: 4-H poultry show
3:30 p.m.: 4-H swine showmanship/gilt show
5 p.m.: Stars & Stripes
5-10 p.m.: Buildings open to public
5 p.m.: 4-H mini horse show, horse arena.
5-8 p.m.: Red Cross blood drive
6 p.m.: Travis Easterling magic, Pavilion; 4-H horse contest; 4-H barrow contest; midway opens.
7 p.m.: Country kickers, Pavilion.
7:30 p.m.: Pig wrestling team competition, grandstand (three-person teams for all ages, $30 registration fee, $5 grandstand seating).
9 p.m.: Pie eating contest, Pavilion.
July 13
8:30-9:30 a.m.: 4-H sheep auction pictures.
9 a.m.: 4-H sheep show.
Noon: Pedal tractor pull, Pavilion.
1-5 p.m.: Kiddie Day on midway.
1-10 p.m.: Buildings open to public.
2 p.m.: 4-H dairy show.
4-5 p.m.: 4-H dairy show pictures.
5 p.m.: 4-H heifer/showmanship show.
6 p.m.: Midway opens.
6-6:30 p.m.: Steps Dance Center, in the Pavilion.
6:30 p.m.: Jennings County Baby pageant, grandstand (pre-registration required, $4 grandstand seating); parade of antique tractors follows immediately after pageant at grandstand.
7 p.m.: 4-H market steer show; Mitch Gallagher country music singer, Pavilion.
7-8 p.m.: 4-H beef auction pictures.
9 p.m.: Frog-jumping contest, pavilion.
July 14
9 a.m.: 4-H llama show.
10-11 a.m.: Midway special for people with special needs.
11 a.m.: Special needs lunch, Pavilion.
Noon: Magic show for special needs, Pavilion.
1 p.m.: 4-H Olympics, livestock arena.
5-10 p.m.: Buildings open to the public.
5 p.m.: 4-H livestock grooming contest.
5:30 p.m.: Public 4-H/open fashion revue, 4-H public speaking, demonstrations, action demos, in the Community Building.
6 p.m.: Travis Easterling magic, Pavilion; midway opens; composting and worm bin demonstration in open class building.
6-7 p.m.: 4-H milk goat production contest.
6:30 p.m.: 4-H supreme showmanship contest.
7 p.m.: Columbus Cloggers, in the Pavilion.
7:30 p.m.: Archery by Accuracy Unlimited, grandstand ($2 entry fee, all ages, $4 grandstand seating); 4-H awards ceremony, community building.
8 p.m.: Star Promenaders square dance, Pavilion.
July 15
7 a.m.-noon: Non-auction animals released.
5-10 p.m.: Buildings open to public.
5 p.m.: Auction buyers dinner.
5:30 p.m.: Auction buyers registration.
5:30 p.m.: Addison Johnson, Pavilion.
6 p.m.: Midway opens.
6:30 p.m.: Auction begins.
7 p.m.: KOI drag racing, grandstand (practice starts 5 p.m., $5 grand stand seating, $15 pit).
8 p.m.: Ko’s Martial Arts, Pavilion.
10 p.m.: 4-H project release.
July 16
9-10 a.m.: Open class exhibits released.
9-11 a.m.: 4-H exhibits released.
5 p.m.: Midway opens.
7 p.m.: Mud sling, grandstand (gates open 4 p.m., $5 grandstand seating, pit $15).
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Food drive
Bring three non-perishable food items or $3 to the fair office to receive one Indiana State Fair ticket for this year.
Laser tag
Red Dragon laser tag is free during midway hours.
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