By DAVE SCHULTZ
The annual 4-H Fair kicks off with a 5-kilometer run Saturday morning and concludes when the last gavel is brought down at the conclusion of the livestock auction on Thursday — or later.
In between time will be competitive shows, musical performances, a queen competition, and just about all of the things that fairgoers have come to expect over the years.
Technically, there are some pre-fair events on Friday, with antique tractor pull competition and something that is truly the highlight of the fair for some people — the opening of the food vendors’ operations.
Registration for the 5K run/walk event Saturday starts at 6:45 a.m. and begins at 7:30 a.m.
One of the highlights of the fair’s first day is the parade, which leaves the south parking lot at Bluffton Regional Medical Center at 5 p.m. The parade will be in front of the fair’s grandstand at 5:30 p.m.
The Austin City Band will be in concert at noon Saturday at the stage area.
At 6:30 p.m. in the stage area will be the introduction of the 10-year 4-Hers and the Caley Memorial Award winners, plus the announcement of the Wells County 4-H Ambassadors.
Sunday kicks off with a pancake and sausage breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. A couple of musical events are scheduled for Sunday evening — a performance by the Central Indiana Folk Music and Dulcimer Society at the log cabin, starting at 5 p.m., and a 6 p.m. concert by the Sojourner Quartet starting at 6 p.m. Spirit Night festivities begin at 8 p.m.
Additional highlights during the week are as follows:
• Monday, July 17 —Wells County Library storytime, 4 p.m.; Chick-fil-a meal, 4:30 p.m.; “Pet the Pony,” 6 p.m.; raptors and eagles presentation by Soarin’ Hawk, 6:30 p.m.; and the Miss Wells County Teen and Queen pageant, 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 18 — Pork chop supper, 4:30 p.m.; Ouabache State Park nature program at the log cabin, 6:30 p.m.; and a concert by Hubie Ashcraft, 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 19 — “Pet the Pony,” 11 a.m.; pulled pork dinner, 4 p.m.; “Native American Way of Life” presentation at the log cabin, 6:30 p.m.; Robotics Club demonstration, 6:30 p.m.; Grace Scott Band concert on stage, 7 p.m.; 4-H Livestock royal showmanship contest, 7 p.m.; and kids’ pedal pull, 7 p.m. registration and 7:30 p.m. competition.
• Thursday, July 20 — Premier auction, 2 p.m.; Livestock auction, 3:30 p.m.; “Kroozin’ the Fair” car show, 4 p.m.; and pioneer fiber and craft demonstrations at the log cabin, 6:30 p.m.
Fairgrounds cleanup is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, July 21. A truck pull will be held at 6 p.m. Friday.
4-H shows during the week will be as follows:
• Dog club show, 9 a.m. Saturday.
• Horse and pony (jumping, English, halter, showmanship, driving, 9 a.m. Saturday.
• Goat Olympics, 10 a.m.
• Public fashion revue, 11 a.m. Saturday.
• Cat show, 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
• Alpaca and llama show, 9 a.m. Sunday
• Horse and pony show, western performance and riding, reining, trail, 9 a.m. Sunday.
• Mini 4-H rabbit, 1 p.m. Sunday.
• 4-H rabbit ambassador showmanship contest, 2 p.m. Sunday.
• Sheep show, 4 p.m. Sunday.
• Mini 4-H horse and pony show, 6 p.m. Sunday.
• Dairy cattle show, 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
• Swine show, 9 a.m. Monday.
• Craft show, 5 p.m. Monday.
• Dairy goat show, 5 p.m. Monday.
• Rabbit show, 8 a.m. Tuesday.
• Meat goat show, 9 a.m. Tuesday.
• Dairy beef show, 4 p.m. Tuesday.
• Horse and pony show contesting, 4 p.m. Tuesday.
• Dairy feeder calf show, 6 p.m. Tuesday.
• Poultry show, 9 a.m. Wednesday.
• Beef show, 9 a.m. Wednesday.
• Horse and pony senior ride, club awards, fun show, 6 p.m. Wednesday.
daves@news-banner.com
