Adair County Fair starts next Wednesday

Kerigan Brown looks back on her year as Adair County Fair Queen fondly. She’s excited for the fair and is excited to see who she will get to crown as the new fair queen the night of Wednesday, July 10 as the 2024 fair kicks off with live music, awards and fireworks at the gazebo.

“I think this year has been a really good learning experience. It has taken me out of my bubble a little bit and connected me with a lot of girls from all over the state,” Brown said. “Even people in the county, being able to go to things and be involved with so much more, that has all helped me.”

Running in the Little Miss Adair County Contest when she was a young girl and speaking with previous fair queen Erin Ford together piqued Brown’s interest to run for fair queen last year. She thought she’d try it out.

When she won, Brown was most interested in using her platform to raise awareness among younger generations for all the organizations they can be involved in someday, like 4-H and FFA. She accomplished this by being in parades around the county, remaining active in Ag 4 All and FFA, and going to elementary classes to talk about her role as fair queen.

“I wanted to get in with the younger generation so they maybe set their goal on being fair queen someday,” Brown said. “I think that was a big thing, getting in and talking to the younger kids.”

The 2024 fair queen candidates are to be announced during the Fontanelle Fourth of July celebration July 4 in the Fontanelle City Park. Brown said her advice for prospective queens is for them to be themselves.

“During state fair week, there were a few girls who were prepared and had classes over what to say and what to do. I think that being your true, authentic self, showing people what you’re about, is the biggest thing,” Brown said. “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. It can be scary because you have a crown and a sash on and everyone’s looking to you, but be you.”

Live music by Phil Vandal begins the fair at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 10 with inflatables, Toby the Balloon Dude, a free barbecue meal at 6 p.m. with coronations and awards at 8 p.m. and fireworks to follow. Shows Wednesday include the dog show and the 4-H/FFA rabbit/cavy show.

Thursday there are chainsaw carvings, face-painting, inflatables, and truck and tractor pulls beginning at 6 p.m. in the grandstand. Shows that day are the horse show, supreme showman contest, the swine show, the stuffed pet show and the poultry show.

Friday includes more chainsaw carvings, face-painting, inflatables, the Show Stock Buddies Livestock Show at 5:30 p.m. and Figure 8 races in the grandstand beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday’s shows are the sheep show, dog agility show, meat goat show and bucket/bottle calf, lamb or goat show.

Saturday includes the baby contest, pedal pull, and more, with the demolition derby at 8 p.m. in the grandstand. Shows that day are the dairy/dairy goat show, beef show and livestock judging contest.

Sunday has the Cattle Dog Trials at 7:30 a.m., the Farm Bureau Cookout Contest at 11:30 a.m., an antique tractor and car show 12-3 p.m. and rodeo at 7 p.m. with slack beginning at 2 p.m.

Daily admission, which includes grandstand, is $10 for adults and $5 for children 5-12. Children 4 and under are free.