The 126th edition of the Adair County Fair kicks off Wednesday, July 20. Planners behind the event are expectant for a great year. The fair runs through Sunday, July 24.

This year’s fair schedule includes several old favorites and many new wrinkles.

“It’s always great for this to actually come to fruition and be here,” Adair County Fair Board Secretary Brenda Meisenheimer said. “You get to see everybody get together again and display everything they’ve worked so hard on all year.”

New things that the fair board expects people will enjoy start with a live painting demonstration that will happen throughout the fair. A painter will start at the beginning of the fair and progress through a painting during the entire five days. That same painter will have an art class during the fair that will be free of charge.

There are several new open class opportunities for the general public, such as a gaming competition for kids featuring the game Super Smash Brothers on the Nintendo Switch, a homemade apple pie contest, an antiques appraisal event similar to “Antiques Roadshow,” make and take art classes.

A new livestock event at this year will be “Show Stock Buddies.” Sponsored by the Orient Bulldogs and Jefferson Pioneers 4-H clubs, Show Stock Buddies is an event that seeks to integrate people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities with 4-H members to give them an opportunity they may not otherwise receive. It is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, July 23 during the fair in the show arena.

Grandstand events at the fair will include:

• Gazebo presentations Wednesday, including Little Miss and Little Mister Adair County, quilt auction, local conservation awards, 4-H Hall of Fame Induction, 4-H senior recognition and the queen contest with live music by Jesse and the Medicine Men

• Midwest Pullers Work Stock and Pro Stock Shootout tractor pull Thursday night

• Demolition Derby Friday night with a beard and mullet contest

• Tyler Richton and the High Bank Boys concert Saturday evening in the pit area with Iowa Draft Horse Pullers that afternoon in the grandstand

• The Wright Rodeo Company Sunday evening with mechanical bull rides. Slack begins at 2 p.m.

The fair board is a group of about 20 people, and Meisenheimer said she’s grateful for their diligence in planning each fair. They held a work day for anyone willing to help prep the fairgrounds for the fair Sunday.

A kickoff event is scheduled for Thursday, July 14 as part of the Greenfield City Park Market. Queen candidates will be announced and judged at that event.

Those wanting information on any portion of the fair, including how to submit open class entries, may visit adaircountyfair.org.