County fair has arrived

Back again in all its glory, the 2022 Hamilton County Fair is set to keep the masses entertained and showcase the best of the best in livestock other homemade and home-grown goods and entertainment.
With a handful of fan-favorite activities returning for this year’s fair, those in charge made sure to include a few new treats for the public as well. 
“It’s been quite a few years since we’ve had the demo derby, so that’s back this year by popular demand,” said Ag Society secretary Jeremy Brandt. “You know the surveys we send out? We actually pay attention to those, so we really appreciate when people fill them out because that’s kind of what drives what we’ve done in the last couple of years.”
Brandt further explained that the demolition derby has been a constant request by the community for a few years now. 
“It’s the county’s fair,” he said. “We’ve got to do what the county wants to see.”
Something else new this year, though not immediately visible, is the presence a new open class coordinator. Jenny Hamilton has made an extended effort to include the younger generation of fairgoers in the judging process of open class exhibits. 
“That way we can continue the open class, because I think that is slowly just kind of going by the wayside in some places,” Brandt continued, agreeing it was important to get that generation more involved in the fair. “How many younger people today do quilting, baking, food preservation? I think that’s gonna be pretty neat.”
Also new in the open class division this year is the presence of a stand-alone homemade beer and wine category. 
Keeping up with new and exciting additions to the fair, the Ag Society and fair board are proud to welcome Axe Kickers axe throwing and the RORRing Entertainment racetrack. 
“It should be a pretty good time,” Brandt voiced. 
Things start early in the week, with the 4-H dog show kicking off action at 8:30 a.m. and the cat and companion show beginning at 4 p.m. The rest of the day is filled with static exhibit check-in and rabbit and poultry check-in. 
Wednesday’s fair schedule picks up slightly, with the 4-H rabbit and poultry shows at 9 a.m. and the open class version following suit. Fashion show judging will take place in the Farr Building from 1-4 p.m., followed by more livestock and static exhibit check-ins throughout the day. 
The real fun-filled action for the community starts Thursday, with the 4-H and FFA goat and sheep shows (in succession) beginning at 8 a.m. This is accompanied by the llama show at 2 p.m. and the presence of the 4-H (11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.) and Optimist Club (5-9 p.m.) food stands open throughout the day. 
Opening ceremonies kick off in grand splendor on Thursday at 6 p.m., with a potential anvil firing, flag and Quilt of Valor ceremonies, and the opening of the DC Lynch Carnival and midway. Popular local band “Ain’t Dead Yet” will be performing, free, from 6-9 p.m. in the fair event tent. The community-favorite cake auction will be hosted in the Farr Building the same night at 6:30 p.m.
Friday’s fair action continues in pace, with the morning bringing the heavily-attended 4-H and FFA beef show, beginning at 8 a.m. Also happening throughout the day Friday will be “quick draw caricatures” from 4-6:30 p.m., Papa Bear Wood Carving (across from the Farr Building) from 5-9 p.m., the opening of the RORRing Entertainment racetrack (inside the Farr Building) from 5-9. p.m. and various times to see critter close ups. The ever-popular trailer races will be hosted at the grandstand starting at 7 p.m. with intermission to feature a tractor-pull competition.
Friday will also feature a special event for those 21 and older, with the Tim Zach Band performing, free of charge, in the event tent at 9 p.m.
Saturday’s fair action kicks off in the morning with an 8 a.m. start time for the 4-H and FFA swine show, followed closely by the opening of the 4-H food stand, the Optimist Club food stand and various food trucks at 11 a.m. New this year, the “Don’t Try This At Home” show featuring Peter and Penelope will take to the grounds starting at 1 p.m. for their exciting strolling act. 
“They are crazy,” Brandt said with a laugh. “I mean, he twirls almost anything he can get ahold of, whether its flaming or sharp, up in the air and catches it. His wife, Penelope, actually tight(rope) walks without a net under her.”
Guests to the fair will see her walking back and forth between buildings, he added. 
Making an appearance from 1-9 p.m. will be Axe Kickers axe throwing, with the 4-H Elite Showmanship contest beginning at 1 p.m., followed by the livestock auction at 4 p.m.
Hitting the grandstand Saturday night at 7 p.m. will be the return of the highly requested demolition derby. 
Fair activities wind down on Sunday for the fair’s family day, featuring a Cowboy Church service at 9 a.m. in the Nicholas Pachta Show Arena. The 4-H and FFA livestock judging contest will follow starting at noon. A new event to be attended Sunday will be a bid calling contest at 2 p.m. inside the Farr Building. 
“In the past Family Day has always been Thursday evening, the first night of the fair, and we spent a lot of time talking about that,” Brandt said. “(We looked) at it and tried to think of how many families go home at 8 o’clock, 9 o’clock and put the kids away. They’re not going to stick around. So we thought, why don’t we look at Sunday?”
Sunday is a day when the fair usually winds down anyway, he added, and moving it to the end of the fair was another suggestion given on the surveys. 
“Come on down, spend the entire day (there), ride the rides and have all the fun,” he said. “Come on out and see how we’re doing. We’d be glad to have you there.”
Those who are unable to catch this year’s Hamilton County Fair in person are invited to tune into various livestreams, including livestock shows and more, hosted on the Hamilton County Fair’s Facebook page.