|
[ PREVIOUS
STORIES ]
08-02-03: Mercer County Fair goers can
view top band |
By SEAN RICE
The Daily Standard
Following up last year's big 150th anniversary celebrations, the Mercer
County Fair board is aiming to keep the excitement level up this year, by bringing in a
big-name country music act.
The band Confederate Railroad will take the stage Friday night with
free grandstand seating. Tickets will also be available; box seats for $5 and close-up
track seats for $10.
The lyric "I like my women just a little on the trashy side,"
is a recognizable line from one of Confederate Railroad's songs. The group is sure
to draw a crowd.
The fair still will include others in the wide array of family
entertainment it has come to be known for.
The week of Aug. 5 through 11 is packed with all the attractions
that have become staple events in the annual Mercer fair.
The gates open Tuesday with the judging for all agricultural, home,
arts and floral contests. A cakes, pies and produce auction is set for later in the day. A
doubles horseshoe tournament also is planned, and St. Rita's Medical Center LifeFlight
will have a helicopter in the race track infield for a demonstration.
In the evening, the grandstand audience will be wowed by the figure 8
race and demolition derby, and Sharon Bertke will perform in the free entertainment tent.
Wednesday is Kids Day and DARE Day at the fair with a variety of
activities geared for children, including several sponsored by local law enforcement
agencies.
Children's activities planned include a kiddie tractor pedal tractor
pull, a Mr. Potato Head contest, cheerleading and football throwing contests and a
treasure hunt. Local police will be on hand with cruisers and bicycles for children to
look at have a K9 demonstration.
Agricultural Society voting for fair board directors also is set for
Wednesday.
Later the popular high school marching band show will be held in front
of the grandstand. and Marcus & Megan Mullins will preform in the entertainment tent.
Thursday is Veterans and Seniors Day with free admission for veterans
and those 65 and older. Seniors will be treated to a free lunch in the entertainment tent
to start a day of activities
Featured is a seniors king and queen pageant and a cookie contest The
sheriff's office will hold a crime awareness program and local health officials will give
blood pressure and blood sugar screening.
In the entertainment tent that evening, the Mercer County bicentennial
bell dedication ceremony is scheduled, following by the Kentucky Sisters in concert.
Friday offers another round of games and contests for children,
including the Create a Monster Contest, cookie contest and bubble gum-blowing contest. The
radio station Froggy93 will broadcast live before Confederate Railroad takes the stage for
the big show.
Saturday of the fair is child safety day with police giving bike safety
demonstrations, free fingerprinting and other events. There will be free hot dogs.
The cutest baby contest, with different age groups will be held
throughout the day and the first round harness racing will be in the spotlight under the
grandstand while Country Mile will perform in the entertainment tent.
Sunday is Family Day featuring an array of performances including
Bette's Polka Band, Harmonica John and the Generations Band.
There will be more harness racing in the afternoon and in the evening
the demolition derby takes to the grandstands,
The last Monday will be a free admission day as the fair winds down and
mechanical rides will be leaving. Featured is the Junior Fair livestock auction and the
final night of harness racing.
The Mercer County Fair costs $7 for a one-day entrance. A weekly pass
is $25. both include a mechanical ride arm band allowing the wearer unlimited carnival
rides.
"That's a good deal for $7, you can ride the rides all day and see
the free events in the grandstand," fair secretary Denise Cummins said. |
|
SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY STANDARD
|
Phone:
(419)586-2371, Fax: (419)586-6271
All content copyright 2003
The Standard Printing
Company
P.O. Box 140, Celina, OH
45822 |
|
|
