A busy week for the fair; More music to rock at the grandstand
Published 7:01 am Sunday, August 9, 2015
Colin Belden, from left, Caleb Overby and Kevin Raker take a ride on The Spider during the Mower County Fair last year. Herald file photo
With new grandstand events, more carnival rides and other old favorites, the Mower County Free Fair is set to have a busy week starting Tuesday and running through Sunday.
“There’s a lot to see and that’s why it’s a six-day fair,” Mower County Fair Board President John Mueller said.
Nate Kohnke of Austin clears a jump in the Pro Division heat during the Motokazie Supercross last year at the grandstands of the Mower County Fair. Herald file photo
One of the biggest changes this year is the addition of more music at the grandstand.
With two musical acts, fair leaders are trying to offer something fairgoers have requested.
“Fairgoers for years have asked for [more] music,” Mueller said. “This year we’ll have two nights of music.”
Gwen Sebastian and Elvis and the Big Band will perform at the grandstand for the first time, though both have played on different stages at the Mower County Fair previously.
“They’re both great entertainers, vocalists and popular genres of music,” Mueller said. “They have the total package.”
As a tribute to national Elvis week, Elvis and his 10-piece band will perform their Las Vegas two-set show at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
He has performed at Fair Square previously, but his performance this year will kick it up a notch.
“He’s going to do a show that people have not seen before,” Mueller said.
Sebastian performed for a packed crowd in the beer garden a few years ago and will play at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. She has toured with Blake Shelton and appeared on NBC show “The Voice.”
Right across from the grandstand is the midway, which is slated to feature more rides this year. This will be GoldStar Amusement’s second year at the fair. After listening to input from last year, they’re bringing back old favorites like the Zipper and Tilt-A-Whirl.
“The carnival was extremely successful last year, and we expect it to grow from there,” Mueller said.
The carnival will also add a petting zoo as well, which was slated to appear last years but was canceled due to prior health concerns.
There will also be a lot going on at Fair Square, which will host an array of performers. Some will be performing for the first time here, others the last. John Beatty the Strong Man, who appeared on America’s Got Talent, will perform on Friday throughout the day. Long time Mower County Fair performers Tina and Lena will put on one of their last shows on Thursday before retiring in September.
“They’re always popular,” Mueller said.
Mueller wanted to thank the volunteers and participants that help make the fair possible.
“There’s a lot of people who give their time to make all of this happen,” he said. “We appreciate all their time.”
The fair will officially kick off Tuesday at 5 p.m. in Fair Square with the opening ceremony.
“Come out and celebrate,” Mueller said.
Look to www.austindailyherald.com and the Herald for daily schedule of events. And see a full schedule at http://www.mowercountyfair.com/uploads/sites/15/2015-SCHEDULE_OF_EVENTS_7.15.15.pdf