Just when Mower Countians thought matters couldn’t go from bad to worse, they did.

High gas prices went higher and so did food prices.

The mortgage meltdown continues and the recession is real.

Close to home a real family crisis is looming.

Summer is almost half over and the kids are starting to get anxious. “Are we ever going to take a summer vacation?” they want to know.

Well, here’s an idea that might be a solution to those woes: a “fair-cation.”

Pardon the pun, but that’s what the Mower County Fair Board is promoting this summer: Stay at home in Austin and have fun.

The 124th annual Mower County Fair will run Aug. 5-10 at the fairgrounds in southwest Austin. With soaring gas prices, consumers can save some gas and cash by enjoying attractions closer to home and going on a “fair-cation.” That’s right, go on vacation to the fair.

Gate admission to the six-day fair is free to everyone.

This year’s Mower County Fair features many new events and programs, including a “Pride of Mower” awards program at Fair Square at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, according to the fair board announcement.

During the Pride of Mower ceremonies, various fair and county-related award-winners will be announced and recognized.

Other new attractions include a Teen Dance at Fair Square from 9 to 11 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5; a Reptile and Amphibian Zoo display northeast of the Plager Building from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7; a Guitar Hero contest at Fair Square at 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7; the 4-H Llama Show at the Horse Arena at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8; a Classic Car Show east of the Plager Building from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9; a Draft Horse Pulling Show in the southwest corner of the grounds at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9; and a Bean Bag tournament in the beer garden at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9 and Sunday, Aug. 10.

In addition, a Wild Whitetails display trailer will be set up all week long during the fair, according to the announcement.

Also, fair-goers will want to check out the renovated children’s farmyard, now called the Don Ritland Children’s Farmyard which was named after the Austin Future Farmers of America advisor who started the nation’s first children’s farmyard at the Mower County Fair in 1950.

The Mower County Fair will officially start Tuesday, Aug. 5 at noon with Opening Ceremonies at Fair Square and Tuesday evening will again feature a fireworks show beginning at 10 p.m.

The grandstand line-up features action-packed events beginning Tuesday night, Aug. 5 with motocross racing. Wednesday, Aug. 6 is the first night of car demolition derby action.

New to the grandstand line-up for 2008 is a combine demo derby Thursday, Aug. 7.

Friday night, Aug. 8 features exciting Extreme Bull Riding with mutton busting for the kids and a “Ring of Fire” for the brave.

Saturday night, Aug. 9 and Sunday afternoon, Aug. 10 features a hard-hitting demo derby each day.

The grandstand events begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday’s demo derby begins at a new time — 4 p.m.

Grandstand admission prices for each event are $10 for ages 13 through adult, $5 for ages 5-12 years, and free for kids under 5 years old.

New this year will be a drawing whereby one lucky kid will win a bike at the grandstand on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and there will be toy tractors given away at Thursday’s combine demo derby.

The fair will once again feature two free entertainment stages at Fair Square.

Among the acts scheduled to perform are Brad Boice as “Elvis” Tuesday, Aug. 5 (singing gospel music) and Saturday, Aug. 9; the Sacred Heart Jugglers Tuesday, Aug. 5; Whistle Stop, the Buck Hollow Band, and Blues music will be featured Wednesday, Aug. 6; Luverne’s Concertina Band, Lisa Bailey, and Rush Hour perform Friday, Aug. 8; Big Ben and The Brians entertain Saturday, Aug. 9; and the Peter and Paul Wendinger Band play Sunday afternoon, Aug. 10.

The beer garden will also feature free live music in the evenings. Among the bands scheduled to perform are Rush Hour Aug. 5, Circuit Breakers Aug. 6, Plan B Aug. 7, Lisa Bailey and the 10 cent Biscuit Band Aug. 8, and The Lovers Aug. 9.

New this year will be pitchers of beer and Tuesday through Saturday, mixed drinks will be available.

Merriam’s Midway returns with their carnival rides, including a number of bracelet days.

In addition, discount pre-sale carnival ride tickets will again be available at Hy-Vee in Austin, beginning later this month.

Other popular events for the kids include the Children’s Farmyard, the Yesteryear Contests at Fair Square, the vehicle fair at noon Aug. 7, and the pedal tractor pull near the 4-H building on Aug. 10.

Fair-goers will want to check out all the 4-H, FFA, and Open Class livestock shows throughout the week, as well as the Midwest Steer and Heifer Show Tuesday night, Aug. 5, and the Midwest Market Hog Show Friday, Aug. 8. 4-H, FFA, and open class non-livestock exhibits and projects, plus creative arts and horticulture exhibits will be on display all week. A number of horse shows will also take place throughout the week.

For more information on 4-H activities during fair week, call 437-9552.

The Austin Chapter of the Izaak Walton League will again have displays and information in the Game and Fish building.

The popular daily parade on the fairgrounds will take place at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Other popular events returning this year include the amateur talent contest, fiddlers’ contest, tractor pull, ag Olympics, beef cook-off, and hay bale toss.

A large antique tractor and farm equipment display will once again be set up at the southeast part of the fairgrounds. This impressive display is organized by the Mower County Historical Society.

For more information on this event and other events and tours happening at the historical society during the fair, call 437-6082.

Fair sponsors are listed in the fairbook as well as on the fair’s Web site.

Complete information about the fair is available on line at www.mowercountyfair.com or by calling the fair office at 433-1868.