Full speed ahead: Bartholomew County 4-H Fair expects big crowds

When it comes to bringing out a crowd each year, nothing else even comes close.

The 64th annual Bartholomew County 4-H Fair, which begins its nine-day run today, is expected to attract up to 100,000 visitors to the fairgrounds south of Garden City.

It’s no secret that different individuals enjoy the fair for different reasons. There are 4-H championship ribbons to be won, the midway rides and the grandstand events, from demolition derby to Columbus native Tony Stewart and the All Star Circuit of Champions TQ Midgets.

Many visitors bring up the topic of fair food, as well as the opportunity to socialize with others they seldom see except at fair time.

The newest attraction this year will be eight competitions during the Three Bar J Rodeo that begins at 7 p.m. Monday at the Tony Stewart Raceway (grandstand). Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children.

Besides several musical groups, a family-friendly comedy show with Columbus native Jeff Bodart will be held tonight at 7 p.m. in the David Boll Theatre.

Also making its debut this year will be an activities tent and outdoor game area located next to the 4-H Pavilion, between the Gathering Pavilion and the Little Hands building, coordinator and 4-H board director Adam Ulrich said.

While all families are welcome, the activities tent is mostly geared toward 4-H members and their families after the livestock shows wrap up, Ulrich said. A variety of friendly games including cornhole, a giant Connect-Four game and Yard Jenga will be set up on different nights. The idea is to provide an enjoyable family alternative to the midway and grandstand events, Ulrich said.

Those who prefer mild and pleasant conditions should consider visiting the fair Monday or Tuesday, when high temperatures are anticipated in the low-to mid-80s.

But other than those two days, forecasters are calling for highs in the upper 80s to low 90s every other day of the event.

Fair officials say they will set up tents with picnic tables, as well as put up cooling fans. If things get too hot, water will be offered to keep visitors hydrated.

If it rains, popular grandstand events often credited with bringing in large crowds might be canceled or postponed, fair board vice-president Mark Case said.

At this time, rain is only being predicted for two days. A couple of afternoon showers and thunderstorms are in Sunday’s forecast, while an afternoon thunderstorm is possible on the last day of the fair, July 2.

Case and fair board secretary Susan Arnholt are striving to remain optimistic about fair attendance this year.

“I think we’re going to have a good week, weather-wise,” Arnholt said.

But fair officials also acknowledge above-normal temperatures mixed with high humidity always leave the possibility of an unexpected pop-up thunderstorm. While these downpours usually don’t last for long, even a brief storm can chase away patrons for the night, fair officials said.

Every year, Arnholt and other fair board members find themselves answering many of the same questions, such as when is the least congested time to arrive at the fair.

Their answer may not be what you want to hear. As long as the weather isn’t bad, Arnholt says congestion is likely unavoidable.

But some times are worse than others. For example, you can find yourself stuck with both fair-goers and afternoon rush hour traffic after 5 p.m. on every weekday. Wednesday, Ju ne 29, also known as Kid’s Day, usually draws the largest crowd because a $20 wristband provides unlimited midway rides from 2 p.m. until the fair closes, she said.

Among the most popular food choices are booths from the Bartholomew County Pork Producers, the Kiwanis booth, the Lion’s Club booth and the St. Peters Lutheran Church restaurant complex. But Arnholt says the “Taco Barn,” which is operated by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church across from the Family Arts Building, has continued to gain popularity in recent years.

Conventional fair treats including cotton candy and elephant ears are already set up for today’s opening.

Most who will enjoy the fair over the next nine days are often unaware of the amount of preparation it takes to stage Bartholomew County’s most popular annual event.

Since the end of May, up t0 50 volunteers have been setting up refurbished picnic tables and benches, as well as setting up tents and cleaning out buildings, since the end of May, Arnholt said. The volunteers includes 21 board members, as well as groups like the 4-H Junior Leaders who are often responsible for preparing livestock pens and spreading mulch and sawdust within the Livestock Pavilion, she said.

All together, there are 46 separate committees that take care of different aspects of the fair, Case said.