JOIN The FUN AT THE Allamakee County Fair THIS WEEK

Pork Tornadoes to headline Friday's grandstand entertainment; Variety of activities and events planned

This week, July 17-21,  the 171st 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 17 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 18, as 74 Promotions Motocross brings its racing series to the local dirt track once again, beginning at 7 p.m. Some local favorites and some series travelers will provide all the thrills, chills and maybe even some spills in a variety of competition classes.

The Friday evening, July 19 music performance in the grandstand will feature one of the most requested bands to play at stops along the RAGBRAI route each year, The Pork Tornadoes. Self-described as “The Midwest’s Premiere Party Band” and coining the catch phrase “Your Girlfriend’s Favorite Band,” this four-man cover band has played over 600 shows over the past dozen years throughout the Midwest and brings more than 20 years of live performance, studio recording and nationwide touring experience per member.

The band is led by singer and guitarist Mason Greve, who was one of 100 finalists on NBC’s “The Voice” in 2014. He joins forces with Mike Schulte on drums, Cory Talbot on bass guitar and Jerry Lorenson on keyboard. The group puts its own spin on a mix of songs from such artists as Justin Timberlake, One Direction, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Kings of Leon, Third Eye Blind and Coolio, touting themselves as one of the most versatile bands around.

As described on their promotional website, “... once a person walks into a Pork Tornadoes show, they are instantly assaulted by incredible musicianship, dizzying diversity of genres/songs, friendship/comradery/love and an unexplainable urge to sing until your throat can’t take it anymore.”

Opening for The Pork Tornadoes for Friday’s show will be High Mileage, a five-man band out of Viroqua, WI that has dedicated itself to reproducing music from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s (...throwing in some country and modern pop) while thrilling audiences all over the Midwest with songs built around strong vocal harmonies, instantly recognizable melodies and an irresistible urge to dance. The bands’ five members include Tom Lohr as lead vocalist, Tim Severson on guitar, LaVon “Spanky” Felton on drums, Zach Kumlin on bass and Jesse Peckham on keyboard. Additional information about this year’s headlining act can be found at https://porktornadoes.com/ and more information about opening act High Mileage can be found at https://www.highmileageband.net/.

The power and grace of rodeo will take over the grandstand Saturday, July 20 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 that begins at 5:30 p.m. Another opportunity to participate in the Allamakee County Fair Royalty Pie Auction will also take place during the rodeo. 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 21 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 OR IN ADVANCE

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 “Purchase Grandstand Tickets Here” button 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. 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 AND LITTLE MISS PAGEANT KICKS IT OFF

The coronation of the 2024 Allamakee County Fair Queen and - new this year - the Allamakee County Fair Little Miss will kick off this year’s Fair Wednesday evening, July 17, beginning at 5 p.m., taking place in the Fairgrounds Pavilion. This year’s five Allamakee County Fair Queen candidates - Mallory Berns, Mari Delaney, Lily Howe, Mia Kurth and Molly Peake - will take the spotlight to determine who will wear the crown of the 2024 Allamakee County Fair Queen.

Complementing that Fair Queen pageantry this year will be the featuring of a younger group of ladies vying for the inaugural honors of Allamakee County Fair Little Miss. That competition involves six contestants ranging in age from seven to nine years old in its first-year celebration, including Quinn Bieber, Everly Cota, Mallory Kurth, Ezra McCormick, Leirah Onsager and Ivanna Rodriguez.

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 17 with the local competition for the statewide Bill Riley Talent Search, taking place at 7 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.

Thursday, June 18 will offer a Homemade Salsa/Dip Contest where entries can be dropped off at 3:30 p.m. and the general public can taste and vote from 4-6 p.m., all in the Open Class Building. Bingo will also be taking place Thursday, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Appreciation Building on the Fairgrounds. Friday, July 19 will feature a Pretty/Ugly Cake Decorating Contest which will begin its judging at 4:30 p.m. with a drop-off time at 3 p.m. in the Open Class Building.

Saturday, June 20 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 1:45 p.m. A Chocolate Chip Cookie Contest will be taking entries at 3:30 p.m. for judging taking place beginning at 4 p.m.

Sunday, July 21 will feature a Trivia Contest in the Pavilion, beginning at 11:30 a.m. A Mechanical Bull will also be available to ride near the grandstand from 4-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and again from 12-4 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

For those seeking more of a physical competition, several opportunities exist to do that 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 18 at 6 p.m. A Kids Pedal Tractor Pull will also take place at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Commercial Building, with registration beginning at 4:30 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 19. The Diaper Derby for youngsters 14 months of age or younger is returning this year with registration and racing to start at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 20 at the grain bin gazebo in front of the Pavilion.

NEW EVENTS TO COMPETE IN AT THIS YEAR'S FAIR

A couple of new competitions making their debut this year at the Allamakee County Fair both include a test of strength and endurance. Friday, July 19, a Haybale Toss Contest will be held, beginning at 5 p.m., next to the Beer Tent. Early Saturday morning, the new Boot Scoot 5K Fun Run will begin at the Grain Bin Gazebo, with registration opening at 7 a.m. and the run to begin at 8 a.m.

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. Wednesday 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 the children’s story “Interrupting Chicken” each of those days by walking their way around the Fairgrounds, beginning at the Robey Memorial Library booth in the Pavilion.

Returning 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 at the grain bin gazebo at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday, at 12 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and at 11 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 and from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, with The Juggler with the Yellow Shoes performing in the Commercial Building at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Thursday, at 1 p.m., strolling at 3 p.m. and back to the Commercial Building at 5 p.m. Friday, and at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. “The Nose” caricature drawings will be taking place in the grain bin gazebo from 4-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, from 3-8 p.m. Saturday, and again from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday.

Kids Day at the Fair is scheduled for Friday, July 19 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. Saturday, July 20 will feature a Barn Dance inside the Pavilion from 8 p.m.- 12 Midnight.

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 21.

PREREGISTER FOR THESE ACTIVITIES

The Open Class Building and Fairgrounds Pavilion will both be hosting events and activities each day of the Fair, the following of which require pre-registration at www.allamakeecountyfair.org and may also require a small fee for participation. Wednesday, July 17 will feature a couple such events evenly split between those two buildings. Inside the Pavilion, a Rolls with Royalty breakfast event for ages 3-12 will begin at 10 a.m. but is already filled with its participation limit, and a Trucker Hat Bar Class will be presented in the Open Class Building from 4-6 p.m.

Thursday, July 18 will feature a wide variety of activities that require pre-registration, including a Beginner’s Make-Up Class at 10 a.m. and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Sun Catchers at 10:30 a.m., both in the Open Class Building. Salt Painting at 12 Noon and Faux Flower Arrangements at 12:30 p.m. are also taking place in the Open Class Building, as is a Tie-Dye Fun event at 4 p.m. In the Pavilion that Thursday afternoon will be a Kids Painting Class at 2:30 p.m. (already full) and a Mommy & Me Painting Class at 4:30 p.m., with both of those activities also requiring pre-registration.

Those pre-registration events continue Friday, July 19 with Popsicle Tractors at 12 Noon, Fairy Gardens at 2 p.m., a Paint & Plant Class at 4 p.m., and a Pressed Flower Bookmarks Class at 4:30 p.m., all in the Open Class Building. Classes on Kids in the Kitchen (already full), at 10:30 a.m., Cupcake Decorating, at 12:30 p.m., and Layered Cake Make & Take, at 2:30 p.m., will also be taking place Friday in the Fairgrounds Pavilion.

Saturday, July 20 will feature three more activities requiring pre-registration, including a Beaded Sunglasses workshop at 10 a.m. and Macrame Bookmarks at 12 p.m. in the Open Class Building. Inside the Pavilion, a Sourdough 101 Class will take place at 4:30 p.m. but is currently full with its participation limit. Again, all of those above events require pre-registration online at www.allamakeecountyfair.org under the “Events & Contests” tab at the top of the home page, selecting “Open Class Events” from the drop-down menu, and then clicking on the red “SIGN UP NOW” button to get to the workshop menu sorted by each day of the fair.

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 2024 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.

The 4-H Youth Showcase event that had typically been part of the Fair Queen Coronation kicking off the Fair Tuesday of each Fair Week will now be featured Saturday, July 20 at 5:30 p.m. in the Fairgrounds Pavilion. The showcase event will include presentations by local high school FFA chapter members, 4-H Expressions Day winners, and exhibits and presentations advancing on to the Iowa State Fair.

Daily animal shows and judging will take place in the larger, more accessible livestock show barn. The daily livestock youth shows begin Thursday, July 18 with the Swine Judging at 9 a.m. and Sheep and Meat Goat Judging at 1 p.m. Friday, July 19 will feature the Beef Judging at 9 a.m., the Clover Kids 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 20, beginning at 8:30 a.m., with the Dairy Auction scheduled for 2 p.m., the Pee Wee Dairy Show at 2:30 p.m. and the Dog Show at 4:30 p.m. that afternoon. Sunday morning, July 21 will wrap up the livestock shows with the Horse Judging, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Horse Arena.

Returning this year will be a Round Robin Showmanship Contest to be held inside the new Show Barn, beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday. That 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 4 p.m., with the auction getting underway at 5 p.m. The Parade of Champions will continue this year as well, 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 2024 Allamakee County Fair can be found on Page 2 of the July 17 edition of The Standard, and also online at www.allamakeecountyfair.org. Pick up this week's print edition or subscribe to our print edition or e-edition by clicking here.
 

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