IT’S BACK: Bartholomew County 4-H Fair to return with new Midway

The 63rd annual Bartholomew County 4-H Fair will get underway south of Garden City in just a few weeks, with the county health department and Purdue Extension giving the green light to have the event.

“And it’s going to look very close to what we are used to,” Bartholomew County Extension Director Elisabeth Smith Eaton said.

A number of new attractions and upgrades will be featured at the fair, which runs from Friday thru July 3.

A new company, Kissel Entertainment, will bring an entirely different midway to the fair this year.

Their attractions include three roller coasters (Fireball, Python and Orient Express), a 90-foot high speed free fall (AtmosFear) and a somewhat intimidating attraction that spins and flips riders high in the air on multiple axis (Nemesis 360).

Fair board president Rick Trimpe said he went to Kentucky in 2019 to see a midway operated by Kissel, and came away very impressed.

“It’s going to remind you of a small King’s Island,” said Trimpe, referencing the 364-acre amusement park northeast of Cincinnati.

While total attendance during both the 2018 and 2019 fairs was estimated each year at more than 93,000 patrons, fairs throughout the Midwest are reporting extraordinarily large crowds, Trimpe said.

“I was on the phone with one of the carnival guys who told me that ‘I hope you guys are ready for record crowds, cause we’ve been having big ones’,” Trimpe said.

In terms of the 4-H side of the fair, patrons will see a newly-remodeled pavilion, which is where most livestock and poultry competitions are held, Eaton said.

And thanks to a $25,000 renovation grant from Bartholomew County REMC, a well-known facility on the fairgrounds has been given an extensive facelift. From now on, it will be known as the “REMC Family Arts Building,” Trimpe said.

Another change is that the first Demolition Derby will be held on opening night, which is Friday. Usually, this ‘last car standing’ competition is held twice, only on Saturday nights. The final Demolition Derby will still be held on that last Saturday, July 3. Admission for the 7 p.m. attraction is $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12.

Although it has been nearly five years since Columbus native Tony Stewart retired as a driver from high-profile racing, his local fan base remains extremely strong. Every year, fair board members are kept busy on the phone, talking to those wanting assurances and exact times that the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer will arrive.

When Stewart was still driving in NASCAR and Indy-car competitions, nobody was ever sure whether “Smoke” would show up or not until the last minute. As former fair board president Larry Fisher phrased it back in 2016: “He’s Tony Stewart. He does what he wants.”

But since the Tony Stewart Foundation became a part of the UMRA King of Three-Quarter Midget Race, Stewart has not only shown up, but has won his race for three consecutive years (2017-2019).

“We’re pretty sure he’s going to race,” Trimpe said of the Tuesday night event.

But despite all the preparations and work this year, last year’s fair cancellation caused significant problems for a lot of people — financial and otherwise.

There has been a significant drop in 4-H membership, extension officials said. Prior to the arrival of COVID-19, there were a little more than 800 4-H members. But after all fair programs were canceled, membership had dropped to 527 last March, Eaton said. Those numbers have already started to rebound, currently sitting at 582, she said.

Eaton said she has a reason for feeling more excited about this year’s event than at previous fairs.

“This is going to be a special time because we’ve been away from each other for so long,” Eaton said. “And since it has been two years, it’s going to be great to see how much these kids have grown.”

As an organization, the nonprofit fair lost about $125,000 due to last year’s cancellation, as well as additional revenue because nobody was renting fair facilities last year, Trimpe said.

“We actually had to take out a $50,000 loan this year just to get the fair started,” Trimpe said.

Last year, members of the fair board were forced to conduct fundraisers such as fish fries that they’ve never undertaken before, Trimpe said.

Many local clubs and organizations that depend on profits from selling food at the fair to fund scholarships or pay for needed community projects were also hit extremely hard by last year’s cancellation.

That includes service club such as Kiwanis and Lion’s Club, as well as churches such as St. Peters Lutheran Church.

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Friday, June 25

7 to 11 a.m. – 4-H Goat check-in.

10 a.m. – Lil’ Wrangler Poultry Show & 4-H Poultry Show (4-H Pavilion)

Noon to 4 p.m. – Antique Farm Display entries due.

5 p.m. – Official opening of the fair

5 p.m. to closing – Midway Opening Night. $25 Wristband for unlimited rides

5 to 10 p.m. – Lil’ Hands on the Farm, 4-H Community Building, REMC Family Arts and Commercial Buildings open

7 p.m. – Entertainment to be announced (David Boll Theatre)

7 p.m. – Blacksmithing demonstration (Heritage Building)

7 p.m. – Classic rock, blues and country performed by Ferguson Road (Farm Bureau Building)

7 p.m. – Demolition Derby (Grandstand)

8 p.m. – 4-H Watermelon Relay (Horse Arena)

Saturday, June 26 – Military Appreciation Day.  Those with a military ID can park for free.

6:30 to 10:30 a.m. – Swine check–in

8 a.m. – 4-H Horse & Pony Western Halter & Performance Show (Horse Arena)

9 a.m. – Lil’ Wranglers Goat Show & 4-H Goat Show (4-H Pavilion)

2 to 10 p.m. – 4-H Community, Family Arts Buildings, Commercial Buildings Open

2 to 8 p.m. – Midway Opens. Regular tickets until 8 p.m., then wristbands

3 to 5 p.m. – Registration for Pedal Tractor Pull, east of Farm Bureau Building. $2 entry

5 to 10 p.m. – Lil Hands on the Farm opens

5 p.m. – Pedal Tractor Pull, located east of Farm Bureau Building

5 p.m. – Royalty Athletix (David Boll Theatre)

5 to 6 p.m. – Let’s Bake a Pie Contest entry registration (REMC Family Arts Building)

6 p.m. – Let’s Bake a Pie Contest (REMC Family Arts Building)

7 p.m. – Elvis Impersonator Ron Hobbs (David Boll Theatre)

7 p.m. – Blacksmithing Demonstration (Heritage Building)

7 p.m. – Full Throttle Monster Trucks (Grandstand)

8 p.m. – Midnight Madness Midway.  Unlimited rides for an $18 wristbands

Sunday, June 27 

8 a.m. – 4-H Horse & Pony English Halter & Performance Show. Contesting Show after 3 p.m. (Horse Arena)

9 a.m. to noon – Swine weigh-in.

12:30 p.m. – Lil’ Wrangler Rabbit Show & 4-H Rabbit Show (4-H Pavilion)

1 p.m. – Baby Personality Contest (Farm Bureau Building)

1 p.m. – Columbus FFA Antique Tractor Pull (Grandstand)

1 p.m. – Southern Indiana Garden Tractor Pullers (Grandstand)

2 to 10 p.m. – 4-H Community Building, REMC Family Arts and Commercial Buildings Open

3 p.m. – Midway opens. $30 wristbands for unlimited rides.

5 p.m. – Vesper Services (David Boll Theatre)

5 to 10 p.m. – Lil’ Hands on the Farm open

5 p.m. – Registration for Children’s Baking Contest (REMC Family Arts Building)

6 p.m. – Children’s Baking Contest( REMC Family Arts Building)

6:30 p.m. – Bartholomew County Farm Stock Tractor Pull (Grandstand)

7 p.m. – 4-H Fashion Revue Public Showing (David Boll Theatre)

7 p.m. – Blacksmithing Demonstration (Heritage Building)

Monday, June 28

7 to 11 a.m. – 4-H Sheep, Beef, Starter Calf & Dairy steer check-in.

8:30 to 9:30 a.m. – 4-H Flowers, Beekeeping, Crops and Gardening project drop off & check-in (Community Building)

9 to 11 a.m. – Open Class Flowers entries due (REMC Family Arts Building)

1 p.m. – Lil’ Wrangler Swine Show, 4-H Gilt Show, as well as Open Carcass will follow (Livestock Pavilion)

5 to 10 p.m. – Lil’ Hands on the Farm, 4-H Community Building, REMC Family Arts and Commercial Buildings open

5 p.m. – Registration for Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest (Farm Bureau Building)

5 p.m. – Midway Opens: $1 per ride

5:30 to 6 p.m. – Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest (Farm Bureau Building)

6:30 p.m. – Horse & Pony: Open Arena (Horse Arena)

7 to 8 p.m. – Columbus Clogging (Farm Bureau Building)

7 p.m. – Columbus City Band (David Boll Theatre)

7 p.m. – Columbus Speedway Go-Karts (Grandstand)

Tuesday, June 29 

8:30 to 9:30 a.m. – Market Lamb weigh-in (Livestock Barn)

10 a.m. – 4-H Barrow Show & Showmanship (4-H Pavilion)

5 to 10 p.m. – Lil’ Hands on the Farm, 4-H Community Building, REMC Family Arts and Commercial Buildings open

5 p.m. – Community Day at the Midway. Canned Goods Night ($5 off with canned good, $25 wristbands)

6 p.m. – 4-H Best Dressed Rabbit & Rabbit Races (Gathering Pavilion)

6:30 p.m. – Horse & Pony Master Horseman Contest (Horse Arena)

6:30 p.m. – Registration for Frog Jumping Contest (Farm Bureau Building)

7 p.m. – Blacksmithing Demonstration (Heritage Building)

7 p.m. – Frog Jumping Contest (Farm Bureau Building)

7 p.m. – The Chordlighters: Barbershop Quartet (David Boll Theatre)

7 p.m. – All Star Circuit of Champions TQ Midgets in the Tony Stewart Foundation Race (Grandstand)

Wednesday, June 30

8 a.m. – 4-H Tractor Contest Registration begins

8:30 a.m. – 4-H Cat & Caged Critter Registration, Show to Follow

9 to 11 a.m. – Open Class Flowers due (REMC Family Arts Building)

10a.m. to Noon – Elite Cheer (David Boll Theatre)

Noon to 7 p.m. – Off and on blacksmithing Demonstrations (Heritage Building)

Noon to 10 p.m. – Lil’ Hands on the Farm, 4-H Community Building, REMC Family Arts and Commercial Buildings open

1 p.m. – Lil’ Wrangler Sheep Show and 4-H Sheep Show (4-H Pavilion)

1 p.m. – Registration begins for Pedal Tractor Pull. $2 entry (East of Farm Bureau Building)

2 to 10 p.m. – Kids Day on the midway. Unlimited rides for $18 wristbands all day and night (no age limit)

2 p.m. – Pedal Tractor Pull (East of Farm Bureau Building)

3 to 4 p.m. – Adventure Day Carnival (David Boll Theatre)

5 to 7 p.m. – Extension Homemakers: Puppy Pillow Session (REMC Family Arts Building)

5 to 6 p.m. – Entertainment to be announced (David Boll Theatre)

6 p.m. – Kids Carnival Games & Farm Trivia (Farm Bureau Building)

6:30 p.m. – Horse & Pony rain date or open arena riding (Horse Arena)

7 p.m. – Night Owl Country Band (David Boll Theatre)

7 p.m. – Indiana Truck Pulling Association (Grandstand)

8–9 p.m. – Easterling Magic Show (Farm Bureau Building)

Thursday, July 1

8:30 a.m. – Lil’ Wrangler & 4-H Dairy Show (4-H Pavilion)

12:30 p.m. – Lil’ Wrangler Beef /Starter Calf (4-H Pavilion)

1 p.m. – 4-H Beef Show (4-H Pavilion)

5 to 10 p.m. – Lil’ Hands on the Farm, 4-H Community Building, REMC Family Arts and Commercial Buildings open

5 p.m. – Midway Opens.$25 Wristbands (Buy One, Get One)

6 p.m. – 4-H Rooster Crowing Contest (Gathering Pavilion)

6:30 p.m. – Horse & Pony Parent & Alumni Horse Show, 4-H Fun Show, 4-H Costume Class, Announcement of Master Horseman Contest Winners (Horse Arena)

7 p.m. – Blacksmithing Demonstration (Heritage Building)

7 p.m. – Entertainment to be announced (David Boll Theatre)

7 p.m. – Southern Indiana Dirt Drags (Grandstand)

7 p.m. – Richard Coffey, Rock ‘N Rich, the Jukebox Hero, Veterans Singing for Veterans (Farm Bureau Building)

8 p.m. – Working Chute Contest sponsored by Bartholomew County FFA Alumni (4-H Pavilion)

Friday, July 2

9 a.m. – 4-H Rocket Demonstration (Large parking lot shelter north of Grandstand)

11 a.m. – 4-H Barbeque Contest (David Boll Theatre_

2:30 to 4:30 p.m. – 4-H Grand Champion Pictures (David Boll Theatre)

5 to 10 p.m. – Lil’ Hands on the Farm, 4-H Community Building, REMC Family Arts, and Commercial Buildings open

5 to 8 p.m. – Midway Opens. Regular priced tickets until 8 p.m.

5 p.m. – 4-H Parade of Champions (Livestock Pavilion)

6:30 p.m. – Lil’ Wrangler Horse & Pony (Horse Arena)

6:30 p.m. – 4-H Supreme Showmanship & Livestock Awards. Division 1: Rabbit & Poultry (4-H Pavilion)

7 p.m. – 4-H Supreme Showmanship & Livestock Awards. Division 2. Beef, Dairy, Swine, Sheep & Goats (4-H Pavilion)

7 p.m. – Good Time Review. Live performance of decades of rock and roll (David Boll Theatre)

7 p.m. – Blacksmithing Demonstration (Heritage Building)

7 p.m – Family Fun Night.  Games like Cornhole, Spin the Wheel, etc.

7 p.m. – Indiana Pulling League (Grandstand)

8 p.m. to closing – Midnight Madness.  Unlimited rides for $18 wristbands

Saturday, July 3

7:30 a.m. – Livestock Auction Buyers Breakfast (4-H Pavilion)

8:15 a.m. – 4-H Livestock Sale (4-H Pavilion)

5 to 9 p.m. – 4-H Community Building, REMC Family Arts, and Commercial Buildings open

2 to 10 p.m. – Midway Opens. $30 wristbands until close

7 p.m. – Demolition Derby – Grandstand

7 p.m. – Blacksmithing Demonstration (Heritage Building)

8 to 10 p.m. – 4-H Project Release ONLY

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Inside Thursday’s Republic will be the 2021 Bartholomew County Fair Book, your guide to this year’s county fair. For a copy, pick up a Thursday Republic.

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