Thayer County Fair just around the corner

Pre-fair 4-H Contests Start This Week

It’s almost time for the Thayer County Fair and locals are busy painting, repairing and setting up stands at the fairgrounds in Deshler. The fair board continues to have last minute meetings as fair dates Aug. 9-11 near, and 4-H students are quickly finishing up last minute adjustments on their projects.

Pre-fair contests begin this week as the fashion show and revue gets underway tomorrow, Aug. 2. On Saturday, Aug. 3, Thayer County 4-H clubs present the dog, cat and pet shows and on Sunday, Aug. 5, the horse show begins at 9:30 a.m. All pre-fair shows take place at the agriculture hall except the horse show which will be held inside the grandstand ring as always.

A host of activities set the line-up for this year’s annual event including three nights of free grandstand shows.

Kicking off the evening entertainment Thursday, Aug. 9, is JJ, a professional mime since 1977 who hales from Kansas City and has been deaf since birth; however, can hear a little with a hearing aid. JJ performs mime programs ranging from street mime to multimedia presentations. He also gives mime workshops for schools and colleges. The show begins at 8 p.m.

Friday night features the returning country-rock band T-Marv & Hammer Down performing a mixture of country, rock, blues and southern rock from yesterday’s hits to top 40 hits of today. The show begins at 7 p.m.

Saturday’s grandstand show which begins at 7 p.m., (hot laps at 6 p.m.) will feature Sport Mods and trailer pull races. In the trailer races, contestants race by pulling any two-wheel trailer. For racing rules contact Toby Kruse at 515-231-5444 or Bob Dankenbring at 402-200-1323.

Besides the grandstand shows, each night is packed with special activities including the annual parade, Thayer County Pioneer Farm Family awards, metal art auction, teen dance and beer garden where Bourbon Street will perform Friday night and West Wind will perform Saturday night.

All this entertainment is rounded out with big rides and carnival games as Thomas D. Thomas Shows returns with fun-filled action for all ages. Ride wristbands are available and anyone can purchase them prior to the fair at any bank in Thayer County.

As always, days will be filled with lots of 4-H action as county clubs bring plenty of talent to the fair. Animal competitions include the goat, sheep and rabbit shows on Aug 9; beef and poultry on Aug. 10; and swine on Aug. 11.  As always, small and large animal round robins and livestock judging contests will also take place Saturday afternoon, Aug. 11.

For anyone who doesn’t participate in 4-H, open class competitions will take place Thursday, Aug. 9. Entry day is Wednesday, Aug. 8, at the agricultural hall on the fairgrounds.

For a detailed listing of times and dates for all of this year’s events, see the ad inside this week’s Hebron Journal-Register.