Come out to the fair!
Tracy McKittrick
STUDENT CORRESPONDENT
The 2021 Ripley County 4-H Fair is kicking off on Sunday, July 18 and concluding on Saturday, July 24.
Sunday will see the official opening of the fair at 6 p.m. on the free stage by Shelter #2. Here, the announcement of Miss Ripley County and her Court will be held, along with the crowning of this year’s 4-H King and Queen.
While last year’s events were significantly pared down due to COVID-19, the plan for this year involves hosting the fair as normally as possible, according to Donna Hughes, the office manager for the Purdue Extension in Ripley County.
It does not appear that many COVID-19 precautions will remain in place. “Since most of the affair is held outside, restrictions are currently minimal but this will depend on our county color status at fair time,” Hughes says. “If the color changes to a different status we will follow the state and county recommendations and guidelines.”
All of the fair’s events from previous years are returning in 2021 and there are some new ones arriving too. Hughes explains, “The Monster Trucks in the grandstand is new. All of the animal shows will continue to be live streamed this year. The auction will be live in the show arena but will also offer online bidding to those interested.” It appears that – with the addition of live streaming the animal shows and online bidding for the auction- the pandemic helped nudge the fair toward modernization. The Livestock Auction will be held on Friday, July 23 at 3 p.m. in the Show Arena. Featured auctioneers and ring men are: Rob Vestal, Dennis Franklin, Bryan Franklin, Steven Franklin, Ashley Werning, Chris Schmaltz, Bill Swinney, Dave Goins, Brandon Goins, Levi Bieler Jr., Elam Bieler, and Benjamin Smoker.
The 2020 auction brought in a total of $67,197.76, with swine being the highest category at $23,275.00.
The Baby Contest will take place on Monday, July 19 at 5 p.m. on the free stage. There will be seven categories by age beginning birth to 4 months, 4 months to 7 months, 7 months to 9 months, multiple births up to 24 months, 9 months to 14 months, 14 months to 19 months, and 19 months to 24 months. Registration will take place at the fair the night of the event.
All entries are asked to wear only a white or printed Tee-shirt (or onesie). Entry fee is $5.00 per child with one presenting parent. Only one adult is allowed on stage with each child.
Monday night will also boast the Full Throttle Monster Trucks at the Grandstand.
The popular wristband bracelets allowing kids to ride all night for one price is back. On Monday, Wednesday and Saturday night, the cost is just $20.00 per wristband through Funtime Carnival, who will be bringing the rides once again to the fairground.
Tuesday night the National Pedal Pullers and Racers is on schedule to be at the free stage with registration at 5 p.m. Mudsling will follow at the Grandstand. On Wednesday, the Lil Miss Pageant will be held at 6 p.m. at the Free Stage. Thursday night the Osgood Lions Club will sponsor Quad and Cycle Flat Drags and Friday night the Grandstand event will be Truck Drags, sponsored by the Osgood Fire Department. Saturday, the department will also sponsor the Truck and Tractor Pull.
The 2021 Ripley County Tenure Award Winners are Zachariah Riehle with 110 projects and Ethan Hansen with 86 projects. Ten-year members will be featured in a special section to be published in the Osgood Journal on July 13. The section will have a full fair schedule as well.
The 2021 Ripley County 4-H Fair is sure to be one to not disappoint. Grab your family and friends and come out for a great time. Hopefully, this year will mark a return to normalcy for the fair and be a good opportunity for the community to celebrate Ripley County’s thriving agricultural industry and its future leaders.
