Linn County Fair 2013 Begins This Week: Schedule and Events

The Linn County Fair begins this week on Wednesday, June 26 and runs until July 1. This is the 125th anniversary of the fair. 

This year, patrons will be able to park and enter for free. American Idol contestant Gabe Brown, Tracy Lawrence and Blackjack Billy are performing this year.

Here's more from the publicity folks at Linn County Fair: 

The Linn County Fair Starts This Week

Grandstand Events: 

Grandstand events this year includes the free Barnyard Wars on Wednesday night at 7:30 pm. Thursday is the Alien Ant Farm concert with local rockers Helforstout featuring vocals from American Idol contestant Gabe Brown at 7:30pm. Helforstout will also be playing in the beer tent following the concert.

Then on Friday, Tracy Lawrence will be hitting the stage with up and coming national act Blackjack Billy at 7:30pm. Blackjack Billy will be showcased in the beer tent following the concert.  

The weekend will be filled with Rodeo Saturday at 1pm followed by the ECIPA Truck & Tractor Pull at 7pm. The new grandstand event this year is the Donkey Races on Sunday at 1pm, followed by the  Chuckwagon Races at 6pm. The fair ends Monday night with the Harness Raced at 6:30pm with pre-races starting at 5pm.  

For more details, ticket information and full list of events, visit www.thelinncountyfair.com. 

• Through out the fair: History Scavenger Hunt- pick up maps and questions at the Gate Building; Anniversary/History Display in the Garden Building 
• Wednesday- Anniversary Cake Cutting at 5pm followed by the Opening Program at 6pm
• Thursday- Throughout the day- potato sack races, hoop races & old fashion games; Crowing Contest11am 
• Friday - Quilt Turning at 3pm
• Saturday- Kathy's Attic Fashion Show at 10am; Dancin' Thru the Decades at 6pm
• Sunday- Ground Breaking Ceremony for the new Lynn Dunn Memorial Building- 5 years in the making

• All the events in the Farm Bureau Free Entertainment Tent from science activities, contest, local acts, pancake breakfast, magic show, hypnotist, pie auction, and more..
• Chuckwagon Exhibit- Thursday through Saturday of fair
• Swifty Swine pig races
• Ag Educational Displays- The Milk Maker, Corn is Everywhere, and Farmer for a Day
• Cock-a-doodle zoo
• Youth Day events/activities including free face painting and free train rides, Thursday 9am-1pm
• Community Day events, Friday, 9am -3pm
• All Contest

• Static
• Horse & Pony
• Dog
• Cat 
  
• Misc. Animals
• Cavy
• Sheep
• Rabbit
• Dairy & Meat Goat
• Beef
• Bucket Bottle Calf
• Swine
• Poultry
• Dairy

To help celebrate our 125th Anniversary we are adding more open competitions to the fair this year and most are open to youth. Below is a summary of the competitions in which youth can enter. For complete rules and registration forms visit our website http://thelinncountyfair.com/open-classes.html

Throughout the Fair

·         History Scavenger Hunt- Maps and instructions will be available at the Gate Building that will take you on a Scavenger Hunt around the fairgrounds as you learn history about the fair. Prizes will be given for correct entries that are returned into the Gate Building.

Tuesday, June 25th

·         Open Static & Photography exhibits arrive- Open to all ages that reside in Iowa. Participants may have a total of 3 exhibits in each class. If numbers of exhibits are adequate, classes may be divided into youth (12-17) and adult (18 and over). Entry forms available day of entry at fairgrounds in Exhibit Building #2. 

Wednesday, June 26

·         Recycled Garden Art – In its 7th year is for ages 3 and above. Special category this year is “Bowling Ball Art,” Prizes given in 4 age categories, best over-all, and people’s choice.

Thursday – Youth Day – June 27

·         Make an Edible Bug – Open to children up to 10 years of age. The children will bring their “bug creations” that are made out of fruits and vegetables, pastry and candy, or other foods (pasta, bread, cheese, etc.) to the Science Tent. The first 75 registered entries will receive a special Bug Color Book. Prizes will be awarded in the three categories for each of the three age groups. (27 total prizes!) Classes include: 5 years old & under, 6 & 7 years old, and 8-10 year olds

·         Cookie Stacking – Children of all ages will vie to see who can make the tallest single stack of sandwich cookies in 30 seconds. Each winner in the three age categories will receive a prize.

·         Wearable Duct Tape –Individuals, ages 12 and older, will construct a garment and/or accessory using 90% duct tape.  Prizes will be awarded for both categories in three separate age groups.  Following the judging there will be a fashion show where the public can vote for their favorite. The winner will also receive a prize.

·         Potato Sack Races, Hoop Races and Old Fashion Games- will be held throughout the day, prizes will be awarded.

·         Crowing Contest- Open to all ages, come show off your ability to crow like a rooster.  Age categories include: Up to age 5; 5 to 8; 9 to 13; 14 to 18; 19 to 49; 50 +, Prizes from Chik-fil-a will be given to the 1st and 2nd place in each category.

Friday – Community Day – June 28

·         Call Me Martha – Contestants will show off their creative side in the “Call Me Martha Competition”.  Pitting their skills against other crafty people they will assemble a decorative item in 60 minutes using only the items supplied in a bag received at the beginning of the contest.   Contestants will bring their own construction supplies from the designated list.  The Linn County Fair will supply the craft items to be used. Finished project will be judged on creativity, originality, neatness, and the number of items in the bag used. Contestants will take their creations home with them after the contest. It is open to individuals or teams of two from school age and older. Youth under the age of 13 must partner with an adult. Prizes will be gift certificates: 1st $50.00, 2nd $30.00, and 3rd $20.00 (one prize per team) Pre-registration is required and must be received by June 15th.

Saturday – June 29

·         Table Scaping – This is open to individuals or teams of two from 12 years older and older. Contestants will have a 2’ x 4’ table to set two place settings and accessories. The contestants will provide all supplies, other than the table. Tables will be judged and the public invited to vote for their favorite. Prizes will be awarded. Pre-registration is required and must be received by June 15th.

·         Dancin’ Thru the Decades Dance Off- Participants will receive instructions on 10 different dance styles and have a chance to practice them before the competition begins. These dances are: the Charleston, the Hokey Pokey, the Chicken Dance, the Twist, YMCA, the Moonwalk, the Robot, the Macarena, the Cha Cha Slide, and Gangnam. When the competition begins, contestants must perform the dance that corresponds with the music and as the music changes the dance style will change. Judges will “tap out” contests that aren’t performing correctly and the winner is the last person left dancing. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winner and two runners-up.  All participants will be entered into a raffle for grandstand tickets. They will have a 1 in 4 chance to win. 

Sunday – June 30

• Cooking with Rhubarb – With no age or residency restrictions, contestants will prepare and bring their best rhubarb recipe from four categories:

• Bring it in a jar (jam, jelly, sauce, etc.)
• Bring it in a pan (pie, crisp, bars, etc.)
• Beverage (other than wine)
• Other (cookies, etc.)
• Prizes will be awarded in each category and a public taste testing will decide on the over-all favorite.

• Bring it in a jar (jam, jelly, sauce, etc.)
• Bring it in a pan (pie, crisp, bars, etc.)
• Beverage (other than wine)
• Other (cookies, etc.)
• Prizes will be awarded in each category and a public taste testing will decide on the over-all favorite.

Complete list of events, times and tickets go to www.thelinncountyfair.com 

The Linn County Fair in Central City from June 26th- July 1st,  2013
www.thelinncountyfair.com