Auglaize County Fair kicks off Sunday

WAPAKONETA - The Cleveland Cavaliers cheerleaders will help tip off the 164th Auglaize County Fair on Sunday.

The NBA champion's cheerleaders will give a free special performance at 9 p.m. at the grandstands after the fair's cheerleading competition, which begins at 6 p.m. at the grandstands.

The Cavs cheerleaders were a last-minute addition this week to the already busy fair schedule, Auglaize County Fair Manager Fred Piehl said.

Weeks of preparations are peaking today in anticipation of the festivities starting Sunday and continuing through Aug. 6.

Preparations have been in full swing this week with vendors making their way to the fairgrounds to set up their booths and stands, Piehl said.

Campers have been arriving since last Sunday and about 300 of the 400 spots are already occupied, he said.

One of the week's biggest events is the performance by Grammy-nominated gospel group Newsong at 8 p.m. Friday at the grandstand, Piehl said.

Having a concert at the grandstand is a rarity, he said.

Newsong was founded in 1981 at Morningside Baptist Church, Valdosta, Ga. The band has 17 No. 1 singles and is best known for "Arise, My Love," "Miracles," "Jesus to the World (Roaring Lambs)" and "The Christmas Shoes," which also was the title of their first Christmas album. The album was nominated in 2003 for a Grammy for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.

The weather forecast seems promising with daytime temperatures in the low to mid-80s and nightly temps in the 60s, Piehl said.

"If it's going to rain, it's going to rain at night between 12 and four," he said.

Admission is $8 daily with children 9 and under admitted free. Individual week passes are $30.

Ride tickets are 20 for $20 or $1.25 per single ticket.

Daily specials will be offered including,

• Monday - Men's Day 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Men who donate a canned good receive free admission.

• Tuesday - Two-Dollar discount for seniors with Golden Buckeye Card or other proof of age and free admission for children up to age 18.

• Wednesday - Ladies Day, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Ladies have free admission with the donation of a canned good.

• Thursday - Veterans Day, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. All veterans are admitted free with proof of service.

• Saturday - Free admission for all children up to age 18.

Also, people can purchase a $5 fair ticket from Happy Daz in Wapakoneta or Beer Barrel Pizza & Grill in St. Marys for admittance on Tuesday. Tickets are limited.

Auglaize County Fair schedule:
Sunday

• 9 a.m. - open horse show

• 10 a.m. - open horticulture show; open can goods and bake goods show

• noon - ribbon-cutting at the front gate; rabbit weigh-in

• 12:30 p.m. - open horseshoe pitch tournament-Class B

• 1-4 p.m. - Children Choosing Christ-The True Treasure; 4-H style review

• 2 p.m. - open beef breeding show, followed by live part junior fair beef carcass show, followed by open steer and feeder calf show, immediately followed by cattlemen's born and raised steer show; DARE program; open class barrow and gilt show

• 6 p.m. - first place and best of show cake auction; cheerleading contest; Phillip Fox Band

• 7:30 p.m. - Legacy Five

Monday Men's Day

• 9 a.m. - 4-H demonstration contest; junior fair horse and pony show; junior fair swine showmanship

• 10 a.m.-noon - craft demonstration

• noon - junior fair board meeting; registration for Auglaize County Pork Producers adult and peewee showmanship closes; New Knoxville Historical Society displays and demonstrations begin at the log cabin

• 1-3 p.m. - craft demonstration

• 5 p.m. - adult peewee pork producers showmanship

• 6:30 p.m. - open horseshoe pitch tournament-Class A; registration for Auglaize County Pedal Pull; junior fair king and queen coronation

• 7 p.m. - District 12 holstein show; Auglaize County pedal pull for children; Auglaize County high school band show

• 7:30 p.m. - The Jim Brady Trio