The 158th Allamakee County Fair takes place in Waukon this week

This week, July 20-24, the 158th Allamakee County Fair will be held for all to enjoy at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon. A wide variety of entertainment  - including some new and nationally recognized talent - 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.

"POWER-FULL" GRANDSTAND ENTERTAINMENT
Kicking off this year’s grandstand entertainment line-up Wednesday, July 20 at 7 p.m. will be a Truck and Tractor Pull featuring local tractors, pick-ups and semis as well as some powered-up regional competitors. The display of power and excitement will continue Thursday, July 21 at 7 p.m. as area drivers try to demolish each other's vehicles in a Demolition Derby.
The grandstand's lone musical entertainment at this year's fair will be one of its most popular ever, as new country music sensation Frankie Ballard will take to the stage Friday, July 22. One of Nashville’s newest country music sensations, Ballard brings what’s been termed “a bluesy, rocking edge to the country scene,” and he has been the opening act for such performers as the legendary Bob Seger and Uncle Kracker and has toured with country music’s sweetheart Taylor Swift. Opening for Ballard at 7 p.m. Friday will be the more locally familiar act, The Back Home Boys, and the evening will conclude with a fireworks display.
From musical entertainment back to high-revving action, the grandstand will come alive Saturday evening, July 23 with the excitement of “Motokazie,” as the Motokazie Supercross Championship series returns to the Allamakee County Fair as one of its stops among its summer season venues of competition. Racing on a dirt track with bumps, jumps and occasional surprises, motorcycle riders from beginner to pro compete for series awards and cash prizes, including some local favorites on two and four wheels. The excitement begins at 7 p.m.
The culminating grandstand event Sunday afternoon, July 24 will feature even more action, as area drivers will drive their trucks to the limit on a Tough Truck course filled with mud, jumps, hills and thrills, beginning at 1 p.m.
Admission to all grandstand events is by Allamakee County Fair Pass only. Pass packets are available for purchase at the Allamakee County Extension Office, from any Fair Board member, or at the admission gate the evening of each event.

NEW QUEEN PAGEANT FORMAT
A brand new format for the Allamakee County Fair Queen Pageant will kick off this year's fair Tuesday evening, July 19, beginning at 7 p.m., and will take place in the Fairgrounds Pavilion. The overall event will begin with presentations by top finishers in this year's 4-H Fashion Revue, Clothing Selection and $15 Challenge programs (see photos on Page 2A). Additional 4-H Educational Presentations and Share The Fun acts will also take to the stage, as will PowerPoint presentations by members of local FFA chapters and the 4-H Citizenship Club for Allamakee County.
This year's four Fair Queen candidates - Samantha Cota, Kaley Heffern, Morgan Heim and Taylor Knudtson - will then take the spotlight, first introducing themselves and sharing stories about their 4-H and FFA experiences, as well as what they would like to accomplish during the 2011 Allamakee County Fair. The crowning of the Allamakee County Fair Queen will follow, with an Allamakee County Fair Princess also being selected. All candidates will be part of the Allamakee County Fair Royalty Team assisting with various events throughout the 2011 Allamakee County Fair.

FREE DAILY ENTERTAINMENT
In addition to the grandstand attractions, there will also be a wide variety of free entertainment performances throughout this year’s fair.
Chainsaw woodcarving demonstrations by LogHoggers Chainsaw Sculpting will take place each day, Thursday through Saturday, July 21-23 on the fairgrounds. Sculptors will be on the grounds all day long those three days, and some of their creations will be auctioned off Sunday, July 24, with further details about the auction available at the Fair Office.
Sparkles the Clown, "The Balloon Buffoon" will be in front of the Pavilion building Thursday through Saturday, July 21-23 from 1-8 p.m.
Thursday, July 21 will offer a little something for everyone. An Ugly Cake Contest will allow local bakers to feature their creativity at 3 p.m. in the Open Class Building. A horse demonstration by Thunder Rode will also be featured in the Show Barn at 3 p.m. and an Herb Workshop by Allamakee Master Gardeners will take place from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Open Class Building. The Ag Olympics, a timed obstacle relay race open to youth and area business "celebrities", takes place in the Show Barn at 5 p.m.
Friday, July 22 will feature Kid's Day activities behind the Fair Office from 12-4 p.m. and a Bugs for Kids presentation will take place from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Open Class Building. Kitchen Krafts is sponsoring the Children's Cookie Decorating Contest at 2 p.m. in the Ag Building, and the Pedal Tractor Pull competition begins with a 3:30 p.m. registration on the fairgrounds.
A new event open to all innovators is the Homemade Farm Gadgets Judging, which will take place at 3 p.m. Friday in the Open Class Building. Anyone with a tool they've created for use on the farm is invited to bring in their prototype for a chance at winning a prize.
The Saturday, July 23 free entertainment includes a 5K Dirty Dash Run/Walk beginning at 11 a.m. at the Waukon Airport, and a Pre-school Nature Crafts program will take place in the Open Class Building from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Build-A-Scarecrow Contest returns at 2 p.m. in the Open Class Building for both individuals and groups, with viewer judging by the public taking place from 4-6 p.m. Returning by popular demand this year is the Skid Loader Rodeo scheduled to take place from 4-6 p.m. Saturday near the grandstand.
Also new and taking place Sunday, July 24 will be a "Take A Pair Of Jeans" demonstration featuring projects made by Mary Kay Winke from pairs of old blue jeans. That event is scheduled to take place from 1-2 p.m. in the Open Class Building. Craft demonstrations by local artists will follow from 2-3:30 p.m., including tatting, crocheting, knitting and big-stitch quilting.

PROJECTS AND LIVESTOCK SHOWS
Along with the fun and thrills of this year’s entertainment line-up, the hard work and dedication of county youth and other exhibitors will be on display each and every day of the 2011 Allamakee County Fair. The 4-H and Open Class buildings on the grounds will house the efforts of local exhibitors of all ages in a wide variety of creative, useful interests.
Daily livestock shows begin Thursday, July 21 with the Swine and Sheep Judging. Friday, July 22 will feature the Beef, Rabbit and Poultry Judgings. Dairy cattle and goats will be judged Saturday morning, July 23, with a Dog Show that afternoon. Sunday morning, July 24 will wrap up the livestock shows with the Horse Judging.
The traditional appreciation supper and 4-H/FFA Livestock Auction will take place Sunday afternoon in the Show Barn. The supper begins at 4 p.m., with the auction getting underway at 5 p.m.

AMUSEMENT MIDWAY
As previously featured in the Standard, Superior Carnival from right here in Iowa will provide a lift to the midway entertainment at this year’s fair, and there will also be a number of new activities, contests and features for fair-goers of all ages to enjoy. Wednesday, July 20 will feature a "10 Tickets for $10" promotion, with unlimited Wristband riding scheduled to take place from 6-10 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, July 21 and 23, as well as from 12-4 p.m. Sunday, July 24.

For further event details and even more information about the 2011 Allamakee County Fair log on to the Allamakee County Fair website at www.allamakeecountyfair.org.