The Van Wert County Courthouse

Thursday, Mar. 28, 2024

Otto concert today’s fair highlight

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Friday was Veterans Day and Senior Citizens Day and the fairgrounds seemed a little busier as vets and seniors took advantage of their special day to come to the fair.

Veterans had a parade, a special program and had some free food to eat: bean soup from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and doughnuts (along with seniors) from 8 a.m.-11 p.m.

A Junior Fair exhibitor has his chicken judged during the Poultry Show held on Friday. (Jan Dunlap/Van Wert independent)
A Junior Fair exhibitor has his chicken judged during the Poultry Show held on Friday. (Jan Dunlap/Van Wert independent)

It was also a busy day for Senior and Junior fair exhibitors, both of which had a number of livestock shows on Friday.

This weekend will bring a number of special events, as well as more livestock shows and the traditional fair attractions: rides, games and plenty of fair food.

Today’s big attraction will be Country star James Otto’s concert at 8 p.m. this evening in front of the grandstand. Tickets are still available for the concert and can purchased at the fair office on the fairgrounds. Popular Gospel singer Hawk Nelson will be performing in the Gospel Pavilion at 7:45 this evening.

Also today is the popular Cheerleading Invitational show, which starts at 10 a.m. today in front of the grandstand. Cheerleading squads from a number of area communities will be competing for trophies and plaques.

Senior Fair livestock shows today include the American Dairy Goat Show, Senior Fair Rabbit Show, Open Class Ponies & Draft Horse Show, Senior Fair Crops and Canned Goods judging, Senior Fair Poultry Show, Open Class Ponies (hitch) judging, and Open to the World Feeder Calf Show.

Junior Fair livestock shows include the Dairy Feeder Show, the Beef Show and the Dairy Goat Show.

Other events and activities for today at the fair include the Bear Hollow Wood Carver Show at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Bruiser Wrestling (south end of the Junior Fair Building) at 4 p.m., the Van Wert Area Concert Band, St. Mary’s Catholic Church service and Shambam in the Entertainment Tent, and The Ultimate Mystery Children Choosing Christ event and Love & the Outcome in the Gospel Pavilion.

Military veterans stop in at the Entertainment Tent for free bean soup and cornbread on Friday. (Jan Dunlap/Van Wert independent)
Military veterans stop in at the Entertainment Tent for free bean soup and cornbread on Friday. (Jan Dunlap/Van Wert independent)

There will also be a kiddie tractor pull in front of the Entertainment Tent, starting at noon.

Sunday’s highlight event is the Demolition Derby, which begins at 7 p.m. in front of the grandstand. Sunday also features a church service, starting at 10 a.m., while a horse pull will be held in front of the grandstand, starting at noon.

Senior Fair livestock shows on Sunday include the Senior Fair Beef Show, Van Wert County Cattlemen’s Futurity, the Van Wert County Market Lamb Show and Open to the World Market Lamb Show. Junior Fair shows include the Junior Pleasure Horse Show, Rabbit Showmanship, and the Showman of Showmen competition.

The 4-H Talent Show will be held in the Entertainment Tent from 1-2 p.m., while the 4-H Style Review will also be featured in the Entertainment Tent from 2-4 p.m.

Free entertainment will include Bluegrass music from 4:30-7 p.m. and Broken Lights, starting at 9 p.m., in the Entertainment Tent, while the Guardians Quartet will perform in the Gospel Pavilion at 7 p.m.

POSTED: 08/31/13 at 7:31 am. FILED UNDER: News