The Wells County 4-H Fair returns for its 5-day run Saturday, kicking off with the annual parade.

Wednesday afternoon was check-in time for all 4-H projects at the Community Center while live animals were to be accepted in the barns on Friday. Anna Hoover, at right, a 4-H summer intern checked in the Freed family. Left to right Kayla brought posters and McKenna had a floral arrangement and a wrapped package. Assisting with the check in was their mother Julie Freed and brother Colton Freed. The projects were to be judged today. (Photo by Barbara Barbieri)

The lineup is all set for the parade, which will feature Wells County Cooperative Extension Director William “Bill” Horan as the grand marshal. A story on Horan will be featured in Friday’s edition of the News-Banner.

There are 31 entries in this year’s parade which starts at 5 p.m. from the Bluffton Regional Medical Center parking lots.

The parade will kick off with the Wells County Sheriff’s Office in the lead, followed by the Bluffton Police Department, the Bluffton Fire Department, Wells County EMS, Horan, a truck containing the 2021 Wells County 4-H Fair ambassadors, followed by a truck with this year’s 4-H Fair ambassador candidates.

Wells County government officials will follow and then there will be a float of this year’s min-4-H participants.

The Uniondale Volunteer Fire Department will be next with a fire truck followed by the members of The Rising Stars Twirling Academy showing off their baton twirling skills.

Next up is the Jackson Jaguars 4-H Club followed by 2021 Junior Miss Indianapolis Kammy Miller.

Then it will be the Nottingham Nobles 4-H Club, the Wells County Republicans and the Liberty Township Fire Department with a fire truck.

The Lancaster Achievers 4-H Club will be next then the Wells County Public Library .

Up next its the Chester Chargers 4-H Club followed by the Liberty Happy-Go-Lucky 4-H Club

The Nottingham Township Volunteer Fire Department will follow and it will be followed by the float of the Rockcreek Rollers. They will be followed by the conservative political group Convention of States.

Up next is the Hurryin’ Harrisons 4-H Club followed by TTG Equipment with three entries. The Ossian Volunteer Fire Department will follow by the 2021 Miss Wells County Teen, the 2021 Miss Wells County and the contestants for the 2022 pageants. The parade will wrap up with tractors from the Wheels of Yesteryear antique tractor club.