By Samantha Sims Pidde, Clinton Herald, Iowa
Jul. 14–DEWITT — The 75th annual Clinton County Fair, also known as the 4-H and FFA Club Show, will kick off Wednesday at the fairgrounds in DeWitt.
“It’s a reasonably priced entertainment feature,” said Bob Gannon, of Delmar, president of the Clinton County Agricultural Society.
“Once you get on the grounds, you can take in any of the shows or anything that’s going on and there’s no additional charge,” he said.
He said that in past years, the fair has been seen as primarily a 4-H and FFA event for the children. He added that while these events are as important as always, citizens should be aware that the fair offers more entertainment than the agricultural and livestock shows.
“In order for the fair to survive, we have to find other things to bring people in to the gate,” said Gannon about the need for more entertainment at the fair.
The fair will open each day at 8 a.m. On the weekdays, activities will end at 10 p.m. and on the weekend the fair will close at midnight. Admission for each day will cost visitors age 9 to adults $5 each. People may also purchase a season pass that will be good for the entire fair, for $15. Visitors under the age of 9 get in for free. Daily programs should be available at the gate.
The fair will be opening Wednesday with the participants bringing in their entries. That day will be a free day. People will also be able to participate in vegetable and flower shows.
The vegetable show check-in will be from 9 a.m. until noon, with the judging at 1 p.m.
The flower show check-in will also be from 9 a.m. until noon, and judging will be at 1:30 p.m. The garden tractor pull, which Gannon described as a free and fun event, will be held at 6 p.m. Also beginning that Wednesday, will be the carnival.
Evans United Carnival will be at the Clinton County Fair. People will be able to play games and ride rides throughout the entire fair. Tickets will be available at the carnival. On Thursday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., people may use wristbands that they have purchased to ride as many rides as they want. Wristbands will cost $10 until Tuesday and $12 after that day. People may purchase wristbands from the Extension office, 331 E. Eighth St., DeWitt, from DeWitt Bank and Trust, 815 Sixth Ave., DeWitt, or from First Central State Bank, 914 Sixth Ave. DeWitt.
On Thursday, the Club Show Olympics will begin at 5:30 p.m. During the Olympics, past and present Fair Board members will be honored in a special ceremony.
The crowning of the Clinton County Fair Queen will be Thursday. The pageant took place last Wednesday and the winner will be announced at 7 p.m. Thursday. The queen will be handing out ribbons during the fair and will eventually represent the area at the Iowa State Fair. The main show of the night will be a presentation by the Mounted Cowboy Shooting Association at 7:30 p.m.
Another event that will take place Thursday will be the Celebrity Steer Show.
The main event for Friday will be the rodeo, which will begin at 8 p.m. At the start of the rodeo, the fair will have mutton busting, where children will be put on sheep and ride them around the area. T&C Rodeo will be handling the entire event and providing the sheep.
Friday will also feature other events. From 8 p.m. to midnight, The Love Dogs will be returning for a performance in the beer garden. This primarily rock and roll band performed at last year’s fair as well.
Saturday is Farm Bureau Day, with all of the day’s events being sponsored by the Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau Barbecue Contest will begin at 2 p.m. An antique tractor parade will be held at 6 p.m. Anyone interested in the event should contact the Extension Office at (563) 659-5125. A teen dance will also be open to all teenagers.
The demolition derby is on Saturday. This event, which returns every year, will begin at 7 p.m. and is expected to draw a large crowd. From 8 p.m. until midnight in the beer garden, 50 Pound Rooster will be performing. This local primarily country band recently opened for Kenny Chesney.
The main event Sunday is hypnotist Jim Wand’s 7 p.m. show. Wand has been involved in the field of hypnosis for over 20 years.
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