Join the fun at the Allamakee County Fair this week

This week, July 18-22, the 159th 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.

"REVVED-UP" GRANDSTAND ENTERTAINMENT
Kicking off this year’s grandstand entertainment line-up Wednesday, July 18 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.
Raw, animal power will hit the grandstand Thursday, July 19 at 7 p.m. as area and sanctioned rodeo cowboys and cowgirls will compete in the Tuff-N-Nuff Rodeo. This new approach to a popular favorite will feature both the big, bruising, full-size bulls and "dynamite comes in small packages" miniature bulls for younger participants to ride, along with barrel racing and other rodeo action.
The grandstand's musical entertainment Friday, July 20 will feature a double  dose of country music stars rising from the Nashville scene. Ira Dean emerged on the Nashville scene as a bass player and song writer for “Trick Pony” before venturing out on his own. His self-titled solo debut CD includes such songs as “Something ‘Bout a Sunday” and “Beer or Gasoline”, both of which can be heard at his website, www.iradean.com. Matt Stilwell broke into the country music scene with his single “Shine." His current single, “Ignition,” is the lead single on his newest album. Samples of his music can be found on his website at www.mattstilwell.net.
From musical entertainment back to high-revving action, the grandstand will come alive Saturday, July 21 at 7 p.m. 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 culminating grandstand event Sunday afternoon, July 22 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.

GRANDSTAND PASSES ONLINE
A new feature for this year's Allamakee County Fair grandstand attractions is the ability to purchase tickets to any and all events online. The fair's webpage, www.allamakeecountyfair.org, has a "Buy Tickets Now" button link that will take online purchasers through a check-out process using Google Checkout® or PayPal®. Tickets may be purchased for just a single grandstand event or may be purchased for the entire schedule of grandstand entertainment events throughout the fair. Advance tickets for grandstand events can also be purchased in Waukon at the Allamakee County ISU Extension and Outreach office, Waukon State Bank, Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank, Fidelity Bank, Village Farm & Home and Clark Tire Center.

QUEEN PAGEANT KICKS IT OFF
The Allamakee County Fair Queen Pageant will kick off this year's fair Tuesday evening, July 17, beginning at 7 p.m., and will take place in the Fairgrounds Pavilion. The overall event will begin with presentations by Kee and Waukon High School FFA chapters and 4-H Communications Day winners advancing on to the Iowa State Fair.
This year's eight Fair Queen candidates - Taji Ahouse, Lexie Bieber, Shelby Bodley, Samantha Brink, Samantha Cota, Amanda Lage, Taylor Meana and McKayla Stock - will then take the spotlight to determine who will wear the crown of the 2012 Allamakee County Fair Queen.

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.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 19-21, from 12 noon to 6 p.m., will feature a magic show, balloon art and face painting in front of the Fairgrounds Pavilion. Those three days will also include a caricature artist near that same location from 1-5 p.m. Breakfast at the Fair will also be served each of those three days by area non-profit groups from 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Thursday, July 19 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. The Allamakee Master Gardeners are hosting a workshop on Growing Perennials in Allamakee County from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Open Class Building as well. 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 20 will feature Kid's Day activities free of charge behind the Fair Office from 12-4 p.m. and presentations on Flower Pounding and Beading 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 Dean of Juggling" will also be performing at 2 p.m. near the Fair Office. A Kids Pedal Tractor Race begins with a 3:30 p.m. registration at the Open Class Building.
Saturday, July 21 will begin with the "Waukon Adventure Race" to exercise the body and mind at 9 a.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 at 4 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 22 will be a T-Shirt Quilt demonstration featuring projects made by Mary Kay Winke. That event is scheduled to take place from 1-2 p.m. in the Open Class Building. Craft demonstrations by local artisans will follow from 2-3:30 p.m., including flower arranging, tatting, crocheting, knitting and chair caning.

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 2012 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 19 with the Swine and Sheep Judging. Friday, July 20 will feature the Beef, Rabbit and Poultry Judgings. Dairy cattle and goats will be judged Saturday morning, July 21, with a Dog Show that afternoon. Sunday morning, July 22 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
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 18 will feature a "Buddy Night" promotion, where one friend buys tickets and another can ride for free from 6-10 p.m. The 6-10 p.m. timeframe Thursday, July 19 and Saturday, July 21, as well as from 12-4 p.m. Sunday, July 22, will feature the wristband promotion for the midway rides.

For further event details and even more schedule and other information about the 2012 Allamakee County Fair, log on to the Allamakee County Fair website at www.allamakeecountyfair.org.