Fair to open with ‘Pride of Mower County’
Published 1:05 pm Saturday, August 5, 2017
- Kids line up for their awards during the goat showing at the Mower County Fair last year. Herald file photo
Clear off your calendar for the week of Aug. 8-13, because you don’t want to miss a minute of the 134th annual Mower County Free Fair.
Parades! Grandstand events! Hypnotists! Hula Hoopsters! And music, music, music! The Mower County Fairgrounds in Austin promise to be teeming with activity. Entrance into the fair is free. There is a fee for parking, but there will be special groups that receive free parking on certain days.
Each day has a packed schedule of activities at the Fair Square, Grandstand, Crane Pavilion and other areas of the fairgrounds.
Gold Star Amusements returns with its carnival and will offer circus performers as part of the show. There are also wristband days Wednesday through Sunday; on opening day, all rides will be $2 each when the carnival opens at 5 p.m.
Opening day on Tuesday, Aug. 8, begins with the presentation of colors and “Pride of Mower County” awards program, awarding a range of honors from Fair Person of the Year to Farm Family of the Year.
Meg Barinka, left, and Carly Snee enjoy the Mower County Fair rides. Herald file photo
Wednesday is Day Care Day and Thursday is Senior Day. Saturday is Family Day. Sunday wraps things up with Military Appreciation Day. On Senior Day, those 65 and over can park for free. On Sunday, active and veteran military can do the same.
There is a variety of new events and return of favorites.
Strongman John Beatty, who made it to the quarterfinals on “America’s Got Talent” will perform at the Fair Square beginning on Wednesday; hypnotist Randy Buker will give two shows on Friday, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Both, said Mueller, should prove popular with the crowds.
In addition to the popular motocross, truck/tractor pull and demolition derby, “Chase and Ovation —The Music of Prince,” will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The Prince tribute band was given the approval of Prince himself, according to Mueller.
“Chase played for him and he gave him his blessing to perform the show,” he said. Chase and Ovation have been providing Prince music to fans since 2006.
Even with full line-ups in the grandstand and Fair Square, there is plenty more going on. Open, 4-H and FFA judging takes place throughout the week and the Midwest Steer and Heifer Show returns to the Crane Pavilion on Tuesday. The Livestock Hall of Fame selection will be also announced on Tuesday at the Crane Pavilion.
Another popular event, the Mower County Amateur Talent Contest, returns and will be at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Winners will be chosen in three categories — preteen, teen and open class — and each will represent the county at the Minnesota State Fair Talent Contest.
— Michael Stoll contributed to this article
Bikes come off a jump in the front straightaway during the 15-29 open/Vet +30 race during Motokazie at the Mower County Fair last year. The popular event returns to kick off the grand stands this year. Herald file photo
Daily Calendar
Tuesday, Aug. 8
4-H Rabbit Show, Rabbit and Poultry Barns, 8:30 a.m.
Livestock Hall of Fame Reception and Induction, Crane Pavilion, 2 p.m.
FFA Sheep Show, Open Class Sheep Barn, 2 p.m.
The Piano Man – Terry Schmidt, Fair Square, 2 to 5 p.m.
4-H Horse Fun Show, Horse Arena, 4 p.m.
Opening Ceremony, Fair Square, 5 to 6 p.m.
Carnival Opens, all rides $2 each (no wristbands for this day), 5 p.m.
4-H Lamb Lead, Crane Pavilion, 5 p.m.
4-H Sheep Show, Crane Pavilion, 6 p.m.
Midwest Steer and Heifer Show, Crane Pavilion, 6 p.m.
Six Appeal, Fair Square, 7 to 9 p.m.
Ventura Highway, Beer Garden, 8 to 10 p.m.
Fireworks, near the Horse Arena, 10 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 9
Day Care Day
Light Horse Show, Horse Arena, 8 a.m.
4-H Dairy Show, Crane Pavilion, 9 a.m.
4-H Poultry, Rabbit and Poultry Barns, 9 a.m.
Day care activities (pre-registration required), Fair Square, 10 a.m. to noon
Carnival Opens (wristbands 5 to 10 p.m.), 3 p.m.
4-H Rabbit Skillathon, Rabbit and Poultry Barns, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Strong Man Show, Fair Square, noon to 1 p.m.
4-H Goat Shoe, Crane Pavilion, 1 p.m.
Open Poultry, Rabbit and Poultry Barns, 1 p.m.
4-H Cow-Calf followed by Cloverbuds and the 4-H Beef Show, Crane Pavilion, 2 p.m.
The Strong Man Show, Fair Square, 3 to 4 p.m.
Fair Parade, on the Fairgrounds, 4:30 p.m.
The Strong Man Show, Fair Square, 5 to 6 p.m.
Teen Dance, Fair Square, 8 to 10 p.m.
Them Pesky Kids, Beer Garden, 8 to 10 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 10
Senior Day (Seniors age 65 and over park free of charge)
Open Class Rabbit Show, Rabbit and Poultry Barns, 8 a.m.
All Swine Show, Barrows, Gilts and Showmanship, Crane Pavilion, 8:30 a.m.
Exhibits for senior citizens, Fair Square, noon
Ray Sand and The Polka Dots Band, Fair Square, noon to 1 p.m.
Carnival Opens, Kid’s Day (wristbands $15, 1 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m.), 1 pm.
4-H Horse Fun Show, Horse Arena, 1 p.m.
String Man Show, Fair Square, 1 to 1:30 p.m.
Ray Sand and the Polka Dots, Fair Square, 1:30 to 2 p.m.
FFA Beef Show, Crane Pavilion, 4 p.m.
Fair Parade, on the Fairgrounds, 4:30 p.m.
Edition II, Fair Square, 5 to 6 p.m.
Open Class Beef Show, Crane Pavilion, 5:30 p.m.
Who Let the Mamas Out, Fair Square, 7 to 9 p.m.
County Line Drive, Beer Garden, 9 to 10 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 11
Open Class Dairy and FFA Dairy Show, Crane Pavilion, 9 a.m.
The Strong Man Show, Fair Square, noon to 1 p.m.
Carnival Opens (wristbands 1 to 5 p.m.), 1 p.m.
Water balloon-launching contest, Crane Pavilion, 1 p.m.
4-H Fashion Revue, Fair Square, 3 to 4 p.m.
FFA Swine Show, Crane Pavilion, 3 p.m.
4-H Lama Show, Crane Pavilion, 3 p.m.
Fair Parade, on the Fairgrounds, 4:30 p.m.
Midwest Market Hog Show, Crane Pavilion, 5 p.m.
The Strong Man Show, Fair Square, 5 to 6 p.m.
Dream Weaver Comedy and Hypnosis, Fair Square, 6 to 6:30 p.m.
The Strong Man Show, Fair Square, 7 to 8 p.m.
Dream Weaver Comedy and Hypnosis, Fair Square, 8 to 9 p.m.
Severe Logic, Beer Garden, 9 to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 12
Family Day at the Fair
4-H Ribbon Auction, Crane Pavilion, 9 a.m.
Mule and Donkey, Horse Arena, 9 a.m.
Open Class Sheep, Open Class Sheep Barn, 9 a.m.
Carnival Opens (wristbands noon to 4 p.m.), noon
Bean Bag Tournament, Beer Garden, noon
The Piano Man – Terry Schmidt, Fair Square, noon to 1 p.m.
Hula Hoopsters, on the Fairgrounds, noon to 4 p.m.
Livestock Judging Contest, Crane Pavilion, 1 p.m.
Amateur Talent Contest (pre-registration required), Fair Square, 1 to 4 p.m.
LP and The 45s, Fair Square, 4 to 5 p.m.
Fair Parade, on the Fairgrounds, 4:30 p.m.
Meat Goat Show, Crane Pavilion, 5 p.m.
Draft Horse Hitch, Horse Arena, 6 p.m.
Snowy River Band, Fair Square, 8 to 9 p.m.
The Shalo Lee Band, Beer Garden, 9 to 11 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 13
Military Appreciation Day (active and veteran military park for free)
4-H Dog Agility Class followed by Dog Obedience and Showmanship, Crane Pavilion, 9 a.m.
Church Service, Fair Square, 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.
Draft Horse-Halter and Cart, Horse Arena, 10 a.m.
Ms. Jayzee, balloon art, on the Fairgrounds, 11 a.m.
Carnival Opens (wristbands noon to 4 p.m.), noon
Hula Hoopsters, on the Fairgrounds, noon
Forte’ Milers, Fair Square, noon to 1 p.m.
Fair Parade, on the Fairgrounds, 1 p.m.
Austin Big Band, Fair Square, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Art Rocks Jam Band, Fair Square, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
