NORTH VERNON — The staff of the Jennings County Purdue Extension Office has been working overtime to ready 4-H members for the Jennings County Fair this week.
Though audience size may be limited to some events because of COVID-19, there will be displays, demonstrations and activities open to the public every day beginning June 14.
“Everybody including parents, volunteers, kids, sponsors, the county commissioners and the fair board are working very hard to make this year’s fair as normal as possible in spite of COVID-19,” Purdue Extension Office Manager Deidre Wagster said. “I think we all need that after this past year.”
The public is encouraged to visit the 4-H Community Building to view projects Monday through Thursday of fair week. It will be open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 5 through 9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 1 until 9 p.m.
Livestock events will take place at a variety of sites throughout the fairgrounds through June 18. Consult the fair information building for specific information including crowd restrictions.
Grandstand events set
Though there will not be fireworks this year at the Jennings County Fair, fair organizers promise there will be some surprises to make up for it.
“Basically, our fireworks are stuck on a boat somewhere in the ocean somewhere between here and China,” said Jennings County Fair Board President Randy Shepherd. “We hate it because our fireworks have become well known for being the biggest display around. Right now, shipping is backed up around the world and we just couldn’t get enough of the fireworks that we need.”
There will be two new events scheduled for Saturday designed to fill the gap left by the missing fireworks. Big Hat Rodeo from Illinois will present a professional rodeo at the grandstand in the evening and there will also be hot-air balloon rides throughout the day on Saturday.
“It will be something different and, who knows, we may add both events in the future along with our usual fireworks,” Shepherd said.
There will be live events scheduled at the grandstands and music stage every day this week:
— June 14, tractor pull and musician Dustin Huff.
— June 15, Mini Sprints TQ Midgets and musician Caleb Daugherty.
— June 16 KOI Drag Racing with Mud Sling and musician Keith Swinney.
— June 17, KOI Drag Racing and The Night Owl Band.
— June 18, Demolition Derby and the band The Sounds of Summer.
— June 19, Big Hat Rodeo and the band Back in the Day.
Poor Jack Amusements will provide rides and games for tickets on the Midway every day of the fair.
Prices and start times for each grandstand event were not available to The Republic by deadline.
For additional information go to jenningscountyfair.com
