Adair County Fair opens July 12

In short order, the grills will be fired up and activity will be buzzing in the gazebo courtyard area of the Adair County Fairgrounds to kick off the 2023 Adair County Fair Wednesday, July 12.

According to Adair County Fair Board Secretary Brenda Meisenheimer, this year’s fair is approximately one week ahead of when it has been held in the past. This is to avoid conflicts with fairs in neighboring counties. Officials are very excited for the event to be here and hopes for lots of support from all surrounding communities in making it a fun fair.

“We’re always excited for the fair. It seems to come around awfully quick, and especially with moving it up a week,” Meisenheimer said. “Looking at schedules around us, this puts us not on top of Union and Madison County, which we had been for several years. It helps in freeing up things when we’re booking our entertainment as well.”

Several old standards are on this year’s fair schedule, and there are many new wrinkles for fair-goers to experience.

Following Wednesday’s barbecue from the fair board and gazebo events, which include the Little Miss and Little Mister Contest, Queen Contest, and other award presentations, plus fireworks. Thursday night will be a truck and tractor pull. On one track will be the Midwest Pullers Tractor Pull. On an adjacent track will be the Ringgold County Garden Tractor Pullers. Organizers hope the dual-track format will provide for more consistent action for fans.

Friday will continue with Senior Day in the morning. In the afternoon is the Wildwood Hills Ranch Horse Drill Team, followed by the second annual Show Stock Buddies Show and live music from Nashville recording artist Eric Chesser that evening.

Saturday at 1 p.m. in the grandstand will be the Iowa Draft Horse Pullers. In the evening is the demolition derby, which makes a return to Saturday, by popular demand.

On Sunday evening is the Wright Rodeo Company, with slack starting at 2 p.m.

Additions to this year’s fair include a chain saw carver, clown entertainment on opening night, a teen dance, sand volleyball night.

Meisenheimer said that there are new open class project areas and events that fair-goers can enjoy this year, such as make and take classes.

The multitude of events on the schedule and spruced up fairgrounds remind Meisenheimer how many volunteers it takes to make the fair happen each year.

Projects the fairgrounds have benefited from during the fair’s offseason are updated electrical in the horse barn with LED lighting, work to enhance the grounds, such as painting and general upkeep, as well as a shade covering over the main entrance, a project done by the Hot Shots 4-H Club.

Over 150 4-Hers will take part in numerous project areas and showing livestock species throughout the fair. There are also over 25 FFA members from four different chapters that will be participating, estimated Molly Dolch, FFA advisor at West Central Valley. She said many FFA members tend to show on the 4-H side at county fair.

A full fair schedule is printed in this week’s edition of the newspaper.

“There are a bunch of people who put work into making the fair what it is,” Meisenheimer said. “Most importantly, we’re able to keep our beautiful fairgrounds up to date. We’re a little biased here in Adair County as the No. 1 county in Iowa alphabetically, and in our eyes, we have one of the prettiest fairgrounds around.”