Full Fair experience expected to return this year, July 21-25: Slippery When Wet - The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute will headline musical grandstand act at this year’s Allamakee County Fair

Flatland Ridge will open Friday’s music performance; Full slate of new and traditional activities planned

For the many who were disappointed that the headline musical grandstand act at the 2020 Allamakee County Fair was one of the many events that fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic this past year, this year’s Fair will offer that same opportunity to rock with the next best thing to legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bon Jovi. That musical headliner is just part of the planned full Fair experience the Allamakee County Fair Board is working to return to this year after last year’s modified version due to the pandemic.

The Fair Board has announced that it has rescheduled last year’s canceled headlining musical act, Slippery When Wet - The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute, which will take to the stage Friday, July 23. This four-man group is led by frontman Jason Morey on vocals, with Adin Stickle on guitar, Jimmi Botsford on bass and John Martin on drums.

Opening for that tribute rock sensation will be a musical act with a little more Iowa flavor when Flatland Ridge hits the stage at 7 p.m. to begin that Friday night musical display. With band members based out of the Oelwein and Independence areas, Flatland Ridge consists of Gabe Schmidt on bass and vocals, Zach Thein on guitar, Cory McBride on drums and vocals, and Travis McBride on guitar, keyboard, fiddle and vocals.

ABOUT SLIPPERY WHEN WET
Slippery When Wet - The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute was formed in 2003 by frontman Jason Morey after he was often mistaken for Jon Bon Jovi himself, most notably by celebrity comedian Dave Chappelle. It helped that he grew up listening to classic Bon Jovi albums such as “Slippery When Wet” and “New Jersey”. Morey was featured as the legendary Jon Bon Jovi in the 2018 Legends in Concert show in Las Vegas, NV, the most famous impersonator show in the world.

Slippery When Wet has played over 1,500 shows throughout the U.S. alone and has traveled to Africa, Mexico, Singapore, Puerto Rico, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. The band has headlined on over 60 cruises on the Royal Caribbean cruise line and played the pre-game show of Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, NJ in 2014. In 2007 the band was officially authorized by Bon Jovi to perform its highly entertaining show, which they will now be bringing to the Allamakee County Fair.

ABOUT FLATLAND RIDGE
Although its band members have their roots planted in northeast Iowa, opening act Flatland Ridge offers a much broader show by playing some of the best country, classic rock and pop hits created over the years. Traveling throughout the Midwest, Flatland Ridge combines an entertaining show, fun atmosphere and quality musicianship for a live-music option that offers a variety of entertainment. Flatland Ridge has over 80 years of combined music performing experience from band members who know how to entertain an audience.

ADDITIONAL GRANDSTAND ENTERTAINMENT
Other grandstand events for the 168th Allamakee County Fair taking place this summer will include the Local Truck and Tractor Pull Wednesday, July 21 and the return of motocross thrills and spills with the 74 Promotions Motocross event Thursday, July 22. Rogue Rodeo will make its way back Saturday, July 24 after also being a COVID-19 cancellation last year, and the Tough Trucks competition Sunday, July 25 will wrap up this year’s grandstand entertainment. Grandstand ticket packets are now on sale through the Allamakee County Fair website at www.allamakeecountyfair.org.

SEEKING FAIR QUEEN CONTESTANTS
The Allamakee County Fair Board is seeking applicants for the 2021 Allamakee County Fair Queen contest. Additional details about this year’s Fair Queen Contest, along with a registration form, can be found on Page 4 inside this edition of The Standard.

NEW THIS YEAR
This year’s Fair will host a qualifying event for the Bill Riley Talent Search held annually at the Iowa State Fair. Competition divisions will include the Sprouts Division (ages 2-12) and the Senior Division (ages 13-21). Categories of competition will include Vocal, Dance, Instrumental and Other (magic, martial arts, etc.). Additional information about the Bill Riley Talent Search event will be published in the near future and available on the Allamakee County Fair website and social media.

This year’s free entertainment will be housed inside the Fairgrounds Pavilion building, with the commercial exhibits usually housed in that Pavilion now being on display in the Commercial Building. Free entertainment this year includes the magic of Waukon native Jonathan May, along with caricatures, balloon twisting, face painting and glitter tattoos.

Additional free entertainment to take part in will include a Beard Growing Contest, Family Feud, Sanctioned Kiddie Tractor Pull, Kiddie Tractor Races and a Bean Bag Contest. Iron Ridge Church will hold a Sunday morning worship service, entitled “Barn Praising”, in the showbarn.

This year’s carnival midway will be provided by Spectacular Amusements, offering a fun variety of traditional fair rides and fair food. Fair-goers can also check out the new grain bin gazebo and new Allamakee County Fair sign on the fairgrounds this year.

TRADITIONAL PRIDE AND HARD WORK
A full schedule of livestock and exhibit judging is also planned once again for this year’s Fair, highlighting the year-round dedication of so many local youth. The 4-H/FFA Livestock Auction will again wrap up this year’s Fair late Sunday afternoon, offering the opportunity to further support the efforts of those youth in their Fair projects.

BECOME A SPONSOR OF THE 2021 FAIR
The Allamakee County Fair Board recently sent out sponsorship letters in the mail to area businesses and organizations. The letters contain just a sample of this year’s Fair events, along with a Sponsorship Agreement that should be filled out and returned to the Fair Board as directed by Saturday, June 5 in support of this year’s Fair.

Additional information about the 2021 Allamakee County Fair will continue to be published as it becomes available and can also be found at www.allamakeecountyfair.org or on social media.