Mike Wolanin | The Republic A view of the midway for the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, June 24, 2021.
The Bartholomew County 4-H Fair will host a professional rodeo during its nine-day run June 24 through July 2, the first rodeo for the fair in more than 20 years.
The Three Bar J Rodeo based in northeast Indiana,will feature such traditional events as bareback and saddle bronc riding, bull riding, cowgirls barrel racing, steer wrestling, girls breakaway roping, calf roping, and team roping.
The rodeo will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 27, at the Tony Stewart Speedway – also known as the grandstands.
One highlight of the 64th annual fair takes place almost a week before the official opening. A total of 13 contestants have entered the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair Pageant that gets underway at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 18 inside the Columbus North High School Auditorium.
For those heading to the midway when it opens for the first time at 5 p.m. on June 24, a $30 wristband will provide unlimited rides Friday evening. Entertainment highlights include Jeff Bodart’s Family Friendly comedy show at 7 p.m. in the David Boll Theatre, as well as singer Louie Green performing at 7 p.m. in the Farm Bureau Building.
If the weather cooperates, the biggest opening night crowd will likely be drawn to the Demolition Derby that begins at 7 p.m. at the Stewart Speedway. It has become a tradition to stage a demolition derby on both the first and last nights of the fair, former fair board president Mark Case said in an earlier interview.
On June 25, the popular 4-H Horse and Pony Western Halter and Performance show begins at 8 a.m. Later that afternoon, the midway opens at 2 p.m. Midway rides will require a varying number of tickets during the day, but a $20 wristband will allows unlimited rides from 8 p.m. until midnight. Meanwhile, the popular Night Owl Country Band will perform a full concert starting at 7 p.m. in the Boll Theatre.
At the same time, there will be a Full Throttle Monster Trucks competition at the Stewart Speedway. With names like Nitro Menace, Predator, Stomper and Jailbird, these modified pickup trucks and sports utility vehicles compete in both races and in freestyle stunt driving.
The ‘Tony’ question
Fans of Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner and Columbus native Tony Stewart usually flood the grandstand when the All Star Circuit of Champions TQ Midgets is held. The fundraiser for the Tony Stewart Foundation begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28 at the Tony Stewart speedway.
In recent years, fans have either seen Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Cup champion racer, make an appearance or drive in the race. Last year, he won his 25-lap feature race last summer just hours after the facility was renamed in his honor.
But will “Smoke” be at the fair this year? Fair officials often answer that question with a shrug.
“Some things, we just don’t know until the day of the event,” Clouse said.
Top-rated midway
For the second consecutive year, the midway will be operated by Kissell Entertainment. Last year, the entire fair board was overwhelmed by how respectful Kissell employees treated the public, Clouse said.
“But most of all, we were impressed by what they brought,” she said.
Clouse is referring to the average of 45 thrill, family and kiddie rides available at each fair venue, as well as more than 30 games and a wide variety of food.
The midway normally draws the largest crowd of its nine-day run on the Wednesday of fair week which is June 29. On what is traditionally called Family Day, $20 wristbands provide unlimited rides from 2 p.m. until closing.
Those who are concerned about COVID-19 have the option on whether to wear a mask or not. Due to a donation from Columbus Regional Health, hand-sanitation stations will be set up throughout the fairgrounds, Clouse said.
The $5 parking fees for the fair are split evenly between the fair board and the Fraternal Order of Police Local 89, which uses much of their proceeds to sponsor programs to assist area children.
One new attraction will be a tent set up by the 4-H Pavilion that will include games and activities for young children. Fair board member and professional educator Adam Ulrich is heading up this new effort supported by the 4-H Council.
