Audrain Fair kicks off Thursday
Family Day returns Sunday
A highlight of Audrain County summer returns to the fairgrounds Thursday as the Audrain County Youth Fair kicks off. The week …
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A highlight of Audrain County summer returns to the fairgrounds Thursday as the Audrain County Youth Fair kicks off. The week promises a jam-packed schedule, providing a showcase for the area’s future of farming, with a wide variety of livestock shows, exhibits and top-notch food.
Family Day is one part of the fair festivities, which will be held Sunday, with activities and events offered at no charge to the public.
“The fair board and junior fair board work together to provide a family atmosphere and hope to involve community members in the fair,” said Kendra Smith.
Sunday’s schedule is just one way of showcasing what the fair has to offer.
“This is our day that we host events for families to come enjoy together,” said Stacy French. “We try to have something for everyone - no matter their age. We hope getting families together at the fair will allow them to create memories, but also experience what 4-H and FFA members do to hopefully encourage membership in the future as well.”
New this year is the Open Dog Show, which allows community members as well as youth to showcase their dog’s skills in agility, showmanship, rally and obedience. The Baby Show, Big Veggie Contest, Open Photography Show, Open Dog Show, and Pedal Tractor Pull are all open to the public to compete in on Sunday.
“We are also having a new event at each of our large species livestock shows - Old-Timers Showmanship,” said French. “This is a fundraiser for our scholarship and allows parents, friends, and members who have aged out of showing to be nominated to show in the Old Timers Showmanship at the beef, goat, sheep, and swine shows. We hope this event will raise funds as well as encouraging members to challenge their parents, 4-H Leaders, FFA Advisors, and others to get in the ring and show livestock.”
Popular events like the pedal tractor pull are back, which is a kid favorite each year, which is open to children aged 4 to 12. Each age is its own class, with boys and girls pulling separately, and the top three from each class will qualify for the state pull in September.
And Sunday’s big vegetable contest is a favorite among the local gardeners.Recent rains could make for some extra-big vegetables from local producers.
“This event brings some of the best gardeners in Audrain County out to compete for the top prizes in each category,” said French. “We have seen some great tomatoes, summer squash, and lots more in the past and hope to bring even more big veggies out this year.”
The FFA Barbecue Contest also makes its return; last year teams from Centralia, Community R-VI, and Mexico squared off, with the Centralia FFA prevailing.
“We are excited to open this up to more FFA teams this summer and are looking forward to hosting the event,” said French.
The same chapters will have teams, but some chapters will have two separate teams competing. Surrounding counties have also been invited to attend this year.
“Our schedule is posted on the Facebook page for the different registrations and start times,” said Smith. “When you arrive at the fairgrounds, find your event and register there. Registrations are easy and most events are free to enter.”
Those interested in participating in the Open Dog Show are encouraged to see the fair’s Facebook post or fair book for the rules on having a dog at the fairgrounds.
Here are some Sunday schedule highlights:
Looking for some racing excitement Saturday night? Hams Prairie International Speedway (HPIS) will deliver go-kart races to the fairgrounds at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Admission is $10 for general admission with pit passes offered for $20.
The public is welcome to stop by the fair to see the future of farming as exhibitors continue Audrain County’s long-standing agriculture tradition. Last year saw many move on to the Missouri State Fair, where they had strong showings.
“Several of our building projects that were selected to go to the state fair were awarded blue ribbons,” said French. “Several livestock exhibitors also found success with their animals at shows at the State Fair. From the R-VI FFA Chapter, we had members that were class winners in their respective classes at the Missouri State Fair. Tucker Robnett was Showmanship Champion in one division, Callie Jennings exhibited the FFA Champion Duroc Gilt and Poland Barrow, and Brant Cope exhibited the FFA Reserve Champion Duroc Barrow. Several more members exhibited and earned gold ribbons on their livestock projects.”
The Audrain County Youth Fair kicks off Thursday, July 18 and runs through Tuesday, July 23. Each year, the fair provides a showcase for the area’s future of farming, with a wide variety of livestock shows, exhibits and top-notch food. The 4-H Food Stand will be open Thursday from 4-8 p.m.; Friday, 4-8; Saturday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Tuesday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
“Stop by the fair and check out the many talents that our youth bring to showcase - from cake decorating to shooting trap, and from showing livestock to designing clothes - there is definitely something you will be interested in checking out,” said French.
It’s a special time for the youth, their families, and the community, but for people like French, who give their time and talents to making the fair memorable each year.
“My favorite part of the fair is spending time in the livestock barns and seeing the time, effort, and relationships our kids build with their animals, families, and friends. It definitely makes me more optimistic about our future when I see these talented, hardworking, and devoted kids.”
For a complete schedule, see the ad in this week’s Ledger on page B3 and be sure to follow the fair on Facebook.
