Events run from Thursday through Sunday
The 2016 Watonwan County Fair days will start running full tilt on Thursday, July 14 and continue through Sunday, July 17 at the county fairgrounds in St. James.
Admission to the fair is the purchase of a gate pass. Pass costs are free for those 12-years-old and under, $3 for a day pass, $5 for an advance pass, good for the entire fair and $7 at the gate that is good for all the fair days.
J & K Amusements and Carnival will host the Midway. A $35 mega-pass pre-fair special will allow the band-wearer unlimited rides – every day, all day. They may be purchased at Pioneer Bank in St. James, St. James City Hall and Madelia City Hall.
Advance tickets and mega-pass ride bands will not be available after Wednesday, July 13.
Gates are open Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from noon to 9 p.m., on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Exhibits will be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Exhibit hours are Thursday and Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Things get rolling even before Thursday, however. On Tuesday, July 12, 4-H general entry and judging will begin at 9 a.m. Entries and judging continue pre-fair on Wednesday, July 13: 4-H rabbits will be entered from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., 4-H and FFA beef, sheep and goat entries will be collected from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., those presenting Creative Arts items may enter them from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Creative Arts building and rabbit judging will kick-off at 6:30 p.m. Entries will continue on the fair’s official opening day, Thursday, July 14. They start with the 7:30 a.m. swine entries; 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., FFA crops, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., poultry; 9 a.m., open class crops; 9 a.m.; Creative Arts Building, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-H/FFA dairy and horse, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Following is the Fair days fun with family and friends event schedule:
Music –
+ Juke Box in the Beer Garden all day and all night on Thursday.
+ “Fat City All-Stars” in the Beer Garden on Friday, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
+ “Gold Star” in the Beer Garden on Saturday, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
+ Teen Dance (Chemical-Free Night), Saturday in the Gray Commercial Building, 8 p.m. to midnight. (Sponsored by the Saintettes, DC Youth)
+ Sugar Loom Senior Entertainment (Music and Comedy) in the Entertainment Building/Beer Garden, Sunday, 12:30 p.m. (Senior Day – free Senior Citizen admission).
Grandstand Events –
+ John Spitzner Memorial Truck & Tractor Pull (Vault Sled), Friday, 5 p.m., admission, $5 and those under age 10, free.
+ River Valley Off-Roaders Enduro Race, Saturday, 5 p.m., admission $8 for adults and children ages 5-12 is $5.
+ Free Fireworks, Grandstand, Saturday night, 10:15 p.m.
Children’s Entertainment –
+ J & K Amusement/Carnival (Mega-Pass Bands; $1 rides on Wednesday).
+ Free Day Care Tours, Thursday, 1:30 p.m.
+ Free Kids Pedal Tractor Pull, Sunday afternoon, 1:30 p.m. registration. and 2 p.m. pull
+ Free Medallion Hunt in Paper – Sunday afternoon, 4 p.m., age groups are one-to-four-years-old, five-to-eight-years-old and nine-to-12-years-old.
Horse Arena –
+ Extreme Cowboy Race, Thursday, 6 p.m.
+ Ranch Rodeo, Friday, 6 p.m.
+ Kid’s Games, Saturday, 11 a.m.
+ Horse Pull, Saturday, 6 p.m.
+ Horse Fun Show, Sunday, 10 a.m.
+ Pet Show, 1 p.m.
Judging
+ Lamb Lead followed by Sheep Show, Thursday, 10 a.m.
+ FFA Crop, Thursday, 10 a.m.
+ 4-H/FFA Goat Show, Thursday, 1 p.m.
+ Boer Goat Open Class Show, Thursday;, 5 p.m.
+ Poultry, Thursday, 5 p.m.
+ 4-H Demonstrations, Thursday, 4-H Exhibit Building, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
+ 4-H/FFA and Open Class swine, Friday, 8:30 a.m.
+ 4-H/FFA and Open Class dairy, Friday, 12:30 p.m.
+ 4-H/FFA beef, Friday, 6 p.m.
+ 4-H Demonstrations, 4-H Exhibit Building, Friday, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
+ 4-H/FFA Auction, Saturday, 9 a.m.
+ 4-H Premier Showmanship and Celebrity Showmanship, Saturday, 11 a.m.
+ Creative Arts Sweepstakes, Saturday, 2 p.m.
+ 4-H Parade of Champions and 4-H Graduation, Sunday, 3 p.m.
Plus This Additional Fair Fun –
+ Free Tractorcade, 7 a.m. Contact Richard Carlson at (507) 327-3539 or John Keech at (507) 317-8879.
+ Commercial Exhibits.
+ Bingo, under the Big Tent, Thursday and Friday, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m.
+ Food Stands.
+ Farm Family, Century Farm, Senior Citizen Recognition, Entertainment Building/Beer Garden, Sunday, 1 p.m. (Senior Day – free Senior Citizen admission.)
+ Dart Tournament, Saturday, 501 Blind Draw, 11 a.m. sign-in., $10/person includes free play, 150% payback.
+ Bean Bag Tournament, Sunday, 11 a.m. sign-in., $20/team, 150% payback.
+ Softball Tournaments, Saturday and Sunday.
+ For more information and to check out fair sponsors, go to: www.watonwancountyfair.com, facebook.com/watonwancountyfair and watctynfair@gmail.com.
