When something is running well, there’s no good reason to fix it – just keep it oiled and make adjustments.
So it seems to be with the Wayne County 4-H Fair, which starts Saturday at the fairgrounds, 861 Salisbury Road N., Richmond. Fair Board President Sandy House says not much is changed from previous versions of the annual extravaganza.
The fair exists to showcase the work of youthful 4-H members and the Extension Homemakers; and it’s a party with entertainment from bands, a rodeo, talent contest, karaoke; a mud bog, tractor pull and a demolition derby; vendors sell exotic foods and goods; and many come for the carnival rides and games.
While the overall schedule is much the same as 2022, a few new features are joining the lineup.
One is early in the fair when the Cincinnati Circus puts on a show at the grandstand at 7 p.m. Monday. The show, which does not use animals, is described as “an astounding mixture of fun, comedy, agility, and skill. It features Stilt Walkers, Jugglers, Magicians, Fire Eating, and Aerial Acrobatics on a Flying Trapeze!”
While the circus plays, singer-songwriter Mike Younger will be on the free stage starting at 7:30 p.m. Monday. His website says he “was a homeless street musician when an appearance on a New Orleans radio station brought him to the attention of” a country musician who recorded his first album, “Something’s In the Air,” in 1999.
Other track events include dirt drag racing this Saturday; the Billy Bales Memorial Horse Pull on Sunday; Hoosier State Tractor Pull starting Tuesday; a local truck/tractor pull Wednesday; the 3 Bar J 7 Event Rodeo Thursday; a mud bog Friday; and the ever-popular demolition derby Saturday. All track events start at 7 p.m.
Cambridge City-based Poor Jack Amusements will be on site June 19-24.
Free activities include a fish tank where anyone can catch a fish and BB-gun shooting hosted by local Boy Scout troops. Antique tractors and machinery will be on display; there will be a model train display by the Richmond Area Railroaders; and shows by Silly Safaris and Steven’s Puppets. The One Man Band, Marc Dobson, will roam the fairgrounds with BOT the Robot.
A blood drive will take place from 4-8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the First Bank Kuhlman Center. In the same building, 4-H Junior Leaders will be conducting a food drive to assist local food pantries all during fair week.
Fireworks will again light up the sky on the evening of Friday, June 23.
A complete fair schedule is on the fair’s website, www.wayneco4hfair.com, or for more information during fair week, call 765-407-1946.
For the first time, fairgoers can pay online for parking and track show tickets by going to the Wayne County 4-H Fair website and following links to a box office website, wayneco.hometownticketing.com/embed/all.
4-H Jr. Leaders helping fight hunger
A Fight the Hunger; Stock the Trailer contest will take place during the county fair. Wayne County 4-H Junior Leaders will be collecting non-perishable items for local food banks. They will be competing against other local county fairs. The fair that donates the most non-perishable items will win $5,000.
Donate non-perishable items in the trailer located on the northeast edge of First Bank Kuhlman Center.
A version of this article appeared in the June 14 2023 print edition of the Western Wayne News.