JOIN The FUN AT THE Allamakee County Fair THIS WEEK

Big Time Grain Co. to headline Friday's grandstand entertainment; Variety of activities and events planned

This week, July 19-23,  the 170th Allamakee County Fair will be held for all to enjoy at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon. A wide variety of entertainment is in place to headline this year’s Fair at the grandstand, along with a great deal of other activities for everyone to enjoy each and every day throughout the five-day event.

GRANDSTAND STAR POWER AND HORSE POWER

Kicking off this year’s grandstand entertainment line-up Wednesday, July 19 at 7 p.m. will be a Truck and Tractor Pull featuring local trucks and tractors as well as some powered-up regional competitors in a variety of high-revving classes. Free admission is being granted to all local military veterans for that truck and tractor pull event, and there will also be a Pie Auction for pies contributed by this year’s Allamakee County Fair Royalty.

Motocross returns to the Allamakee County Fair Thursday, July 20, as 74 Promotions Motocross brings its racing series to the local dirt track, beginning at 7 p.m. Some local favorites and some series travelers will provide all the thrills, chills and spills in a variety of competition classes.

The Friday evening, July 21 music performance in the grandstand will feature the brother duo of Bret and Chad Bourquin leading their band Big Time Grain Co. as the headlining act, providing a mix of country western/country rock favorites along with some of their own songs. The group’s Allamakee County Fair performance is part of the band’s 15,000-mile Farm Fuel Tour across the Midwest that promotes the usage of biodiesel, such as in the van the group is touring in.

Raised on a farm near Olathe, KS, the Bourquin brothers first formed “Big Time Grain Company” in 2012 and the band has since opened for such headlining performers as Big and Rich, Luke Combs, Restless Heart, Dan & Shay, and many others. With their own songs, such as “Little Redemption” and “Hard to Want”, the musical act was chosen to perform for a crowd of more than 800,000 people at the celebration rally when the Kansas City Royals won the 2015 World Series and has also been the featured entertainment for Kansas City Chiefs home football games. The group’s music and additional information can be found online at bigtimegrain.com.

Opening for Big Time Grain Co. will be a musical act with some additional Midwest flavor when Flatland Ridge hits the stage at 7 p.m. to begin that Friday night musical display. The group performed as the opening act at the 2021 Allamakee County Fair. Although its band members have their roots mostly planted in 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 nearly a century of combined music performing experience from members who know how to entertain an audience.

The power and grace of rodeo will take over the grandstand Saturday, July 22 at 6 p.m., as Iowa-based Rogue Rodeo from Albia will bring such events as Bareback Riding, Calf Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Barrel Racing, Bull Riding, and even Mutton Bustin’ for the youngsters. For further details on Rogue Rodeo or to register for any of the events, visit www.roguerodeo.com.

The culminating grandstand event Sunday afternoon, July 23 will feature even more action, as area drivers will race their trucks to the limit on a Tough Truck obstacle course. Filled with mud, jumps, chills and thrills, the four-wheeled fun begins at 1 p.m.

GRANDSTAND PASSES ONLINE

The ability to purchase grandstand tickets online is again available for this season’s grandstand performances. The Fair’s webpage, www.allamakeecountyfair.org, has a “Buy Tickets” ticket link that will take online purchasers through a check-out process. Tickets for the grandstand events can be purchased for all five evenings of grandstand entertainment at this year’s Fair, or for just a single event. Those tickets can then be picked up at the “will call” window at the Fair Office building next to the Fairgrounds Pavilion. Admission to the grandstand events is free for children ages 10 and under when they are accompanied by an adult.

Advance tickets for grandstand events can also be purchased at the Allamakee County ISU Extension office in Waukon, Waukon State Bank, Freedom Bank in Waukon and Postville, Kerndt Brothers Bank in Waukon and Lansing, Village Farm & Home in Waukon, New Albin Savings Bank, and Peoples State Bank in Harpers Ferry and Waukon. Tickets can also be purchased during the Fair at the Fair Office or at the grandstand.

QUEEN PAGEANT KICKS IT OFF

The Allamakee County Fair Queen Coronation and Youth Showcase will kick off this year’s Fair Tuesday evening, July 18, beginning at 7 p.m., and will take place in the Fairgrounds Pavilion. The overall event will begin with presentations by local high school FFA chapter members, 4-H Expressions Day winners, and exhibits and presentations advancing on to the Iowa State Fair. This year’s four Allamakee County Fair Queen candidates - Natalie Byrnes, Kiele Eberling, Mallory Mohn and Riley Troendle - will then take the spotlight to determine who will wear the crown of the 2023 Allamakee County Fair Queen.

PLENTY OF CONTESTS

For those who like to test their skills against others, there are a variety of contests being held throughout the Fair. Those competitions will kick off Wednesday, July 19 with the local competition for the statewide Bill Riley Talent Search, taking place at 5 p.m. in the Fairgrounds Pavilion and offering a chance for local talent - ages two to 21 - to earn a spot in the Iowa State Fair competition held in Des Moines in August. Additional information on how to register for this free contest can be found on the Allamakee County Fair website at www.allamakeecountyfair.org.

Also taking place Wednesday will be a Homemade Lemonade Contest that is new to the Fair this year, with entries able to be dropped off at the Open Class Exhibit Building beginning at 3:45 p.m. and the general public able to taste and vote on those entries from 4-5:30 p.m. Bingo will be taking place Thursday, July 20, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Appreciation Building on the Fairgrounds.

Thursday, June 20 will offer a pair of contest opportunities in the Open Class Building, including a Duct Tape Creation Contest where entries made at home out of duct tape can be dropped off at 3 p.m. and will be judged at 3:30 p.m., as well as a Salsa and Dip Contest where entries can be dropped off at 3:45 p.m. and the general public can taste and vote from 4-6 p.m.

Friday, June 21 will feature a pair of contest possibilities, both also taking place in the Open Class Exhibit Building. A Lego Contest will be taking entries made at home at 3:30 p.m. A Pretty/Ugly Cake Decorating Contest will begin its judging at 4:30 p.m. with a drop-off time at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 22, a Cookie Cook-Off Contest will be taking entries at 2:30 p.m. at the Open Class Exhibit Building for judging taking place from 3-5 p.m.

For those seeking more of a physical competition, several opportunities exist to do so as well throughout the Fair. The Ag Olympics, a timed obstacle relay race using various items found on the farm, is open to youth and area business “celebrities” and takes place in the new Show Barn Thursday, July 20 at 6 p.m.

The Little Switzerland FFA Chapter from Waukon High School will be hosting Pedal Tractor Races outside the Pavilion at 3 p.m. Friday, July 21, and a Kids Pedal Tractor Pull will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 22 near the Commercial Building. The Diaper Derby for youngsters 14 months of age or younger is returning this year, beginning at 10:45 a.m. with registration and racing to start at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 22 at the grain bin gazebo in front of the Pavilion. Teams can also compete in the Cornhole Contest outside the grandstand Sunday, July 23, with registration at 11 a.m. and competition set to begin at 12 noon.

FREE DAILY ENTERTAINMENT

In addition to the grandstand attractions and variety of contests and competitions, there will also be a wide variety of free entertainment performances and activities throughout this year’s Fair for all to enjoy at no charge and at various venues throughout the Fairgrounds. Thursday through Sunday, Robey Memorial Library will feature its self-guided Story Walk, beginning at 10 a.m. and lasting throughout each day. Youth and adults can read a popular children’s story each of those days by walking their way around the Fairgrounds, beginning at the Robey Memorial Library booth in the Pavilion.
New this year will be the daily performances of the TEAM T&J Kids Show, a family-friendly musical entertainment pair that creates an environment where kids can explore and express their imaginations through the excitement and freedom of live music interaction. TEAM T&J focuses on diversity and unification with an ideal that everyone is equal but not the same, yet each individual is unique. The creative duo will be performing in the Fairgrounds Pavilion at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday, at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. both Thursday and Friday, at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, and at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday.

A trio of free entertainment activities will take place Thursday through Saturday, with some continuing Sunday. Face Painting will take place in the Commercial Building from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with Balloon Twisting taking place from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Commercial Building. Caricature drawings will be taking place in the grain bin gazebo from 4-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and from 3-8 p.m. Saturday and again from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday.

Additionally, Magic Shows will be taking place both Friday and Saturday at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., and again Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Hypnotist Shows are also scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

Kids Day at the Fair is scheduled for Friday, July 21 from 1-4 p.m. at the Kids Center and Appreciation Building. A wide variety of kid-friendly and creative activities will be available to participate in at no charge. Also during that Kids Day timeframe of 1-4 p.m. Friday, the Water Rocks! Conservation Station Trailer hosted by Iowa State University Extension and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be available for touring near the Red School House, which will also be open for touring during the Fair.

PREREGISTER FOR THESE ACTIVITIES

The Open Exhibit Building and Fairgrounds Pavilion will both be hosting events and activities each day of the Fair, the following of which require registration at www.allamakeecountyfair.org and may require a small fee for participation. Wednesday, July 19 will feature four such events evenly split between those two buildings. Inside the Pavilion, a Rolls with Royalty breakfast event for ages 4-12 will begin at 9 a.m. and Kids Painting with Lori will take place at both 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Inside the Open Class building, a Sharpie Art Class is scheduled for 11 a.m. and a Hat Bar event with Moon Child Collective will take place at 4 p.m.

Thursday, July 20 will feature another pair of activities that require pre-registration, including Pressed Floral Jars at 10 a.m. in the Pavilion and Paper Plate Animals at 10 a.m. in the Open Class Building. Those pre-registration events continue Friday, July 21 with Kids Macrame Key Chains at 9 a.m., Stenciled Tote Bags at 10 a.m., an Adult Macrame Class at 11 a.m., and a Tiny Treasure Fairy Garden workshop at 1 p.m., all in the Open Class Building, as well as a Paint and Plant event at 12 p.m., Tissue Paper Rainbows at 2 p.m. and Cupcake Decorating at 3:30 p.m., all taking place in the Pavilion.

Saturday, July 22 will feature four more activities requiring pre-registration, including a Permanent Jewelry workshop with Mississippi Moon Collective at 12 noon in the Open Class Building. Inside the Pavilion, Paracord Bracelet Making will begin at 9 a.m., Rock Painting will take place at both 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., and a Charcuterie with Carly class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Again, all of those above events require pre-registration online at www.allamakeecountyfair.org under the “Open Class Events” tab at the top of the home page and then clicking on the yellow highlighted “Allamakee County Fairgrounds (square.site)” link.

FREE ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES

A number of other activities that are free to participate in and do not require pre-registration will be taking place in the Open Class Building on various days throughout the Fair. A session on Dry Erase Boards and Bookmarks will take place at 1 p.m. and an Interactive Greeting Cards workshop is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 19. Thursday, July 20 will feature a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Paper Roses class, beginning at 2 p.m. A final pair of activities will take place Saturday, July 22, including Fairy Halos at 10 a.m. and Canning 101 at 2 p.m. Everyone is also invited to participate in the Barn Praising church service hosted by Iron Ridge Church inside the new Show Barn, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 23.

PROJECTS AND LIVESTOCK SHOWS

Along with the fun and thrills of this year’s entertainment and activity line-up, the hard work and dedication of county youth and other exhibitors will be on display each and every day of the 2023 Allamakee County Fair. The 4-H and Open Exhibit buildings on the grounds will house the efforts of local exhibitors of all ages in a wide variety of creative, useful interests.

Daily animal shows and judging will take place in the larger, more accessible livestock show barn built within the past couple years. The daily livestock youth shows begin Thursday, July 20 with the Swine Judging at 8 a.m. and Sheep and Meat Goat Judging at 1 p.m. Friday, July 21 will feature the Beef Judging at 9 a.m., the Pet Show at 2 p.m. and Rabbit and Poultry Judging at 3 p.m.

Dairy cattle and goats will be judged Saturday morning, July 22, beginning at 8:30 a.m., with the Pee Wee Dairy Show at 2:30 p.m. and a Dog Show at 4:30 p.m. that afternoon. Sunday morning, July 23 will wrap up the livestock shows with the Horse Judging, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Horse Arena.

New this year will be a Round Robin Showmanship Contest to be held inside the new Show Barn, beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday. The new event gives Senior (grades 10-12) Showmanship winners and reserves in the Fair’s beef, dairy, sheep, swine and meat goat shows this year the opportunity to compete for top showmanship honors at the Allamakee County Fair by showing each of those species in front of a species judge to determine the Fair’s overall top showman.

The traditional appreciation supper and 4-H/FFA Livestock Auction will take place Sunday afternoon under the awning of the new Show Barn. The supper begins at 3:30 p.m., with the auction getting underway at 5 p.m. The Parade of Champions will continue this year, featuring all the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion winners from this year’s Allamakee County Fair, scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Show Barn.

SPECTACULAR AMUSEMENTS

Spectacular Amusements will return with its carnival midway at the Allamakee County Fair, featuring a full array of rides, games and carnival food. Rides will be in operation from 5-10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, from 3-11 p.m. Friday, from 1-4 p.m. and again from 6-11 p.m. Saturday, and from 12-4 p.m. Sunday. Wristbands allowing a full day ride session will be available for purchase both in advance and at the Fair, as are Mega Bands that allow rides during the entire Fair.

Further event details, schedule and other information about the 2023 Allamakee County Fair can be found on Page 2 of the Wednesday, July 19, 2023 edition of The Standard, online at www.allamakeecountyfair.org and also below in PDF format.

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