What's happening at the Oconto County Youth Fair this year? Your guide to the fair

For many, the county fair is as much a summer tradition as baseball and a day at the beach.

The Oconto County Fair, which will bring back the carnival rides, band and plenty of animals, holds its opening ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 22, at Zipple Park, 150 N. McKenzie St. in Gillett. But it actually begins a few days before that as junior fair exhibitors show off their sheep, goats, swine, cattle, horses, rabbits, birds, cats and dogs, as well as some non-animal projects.

Here's everything you need to know about the small-town fair.

What bands are performing at the fair?

Homegrown, the mixed music acoustic duo of Jamie Hubbard and Jt Crocker, will serve up tunes on Thursday night from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. with Lane Ludtke starting at 5 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

Friday will be headlined by Rapid Transit Band, which performs a mix of country, classic rock and oldies from 7 to 11 p.m., while Ken and Kris, an acoustic duo who plays a variety of music ranging from country to classic, will take the stage from 3 to 7 p.m.

Country artist Jordan Blanchard will be Saturday's headliner from 8 to 11:30 p.m. while Leo G provide music from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The Natural Talent polka band will close down the fair's music entertainment on Sunday afternoon from noon to 3.

What is new at the fair this year?

The newest activity that likely will get the most eyeballs this year is a mechanical bull ride. It will be set up near the beer tent, which could provide more encouragement to some patrons to give it a try.

Fair board president Ryan Schlosser said he will be one person aiming to last a while on that challenge. "I've got a running bet between my brother and I," he said.

8 Second Mechanical Bulls out of Cecil operates the ride, which represents the duration of time a bull rider had to stay on a real bull to receive a score.

Also, visitors will notice a new permanent cover over the show ring between the barns for the animal shows.

"It's definitely going to look more aesthetically pleasing," Schlosser said. "… And rain can’t come through, that’s another big thing. Because the other one wasn’t waterproof at all either."

Wristbands offer plenty of carnival rides

Christman Amusements will provide rides for the final four days of the county fair, Aug. 22-25.

Wristbands for unlimited rides during four-hour increments are available for five different timeslots – Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m., Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. or 6 to 10 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

The wristbands are available for $20 each ahead of the fair – until they are sold out – at Peshtigo National Bank in Oconto Falls and Gillett, NEW Credit Union in Oconto Falls and Handi-Works in Gillett. The wristbands will be available for $25 at the fair.

"Lot of people tend to go that (wristband) route instead of just per ticket," Schlosser said. "More bang for your buck, I think."

Overall, the rides will operate from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Truck and tractor pulls on the docket

Machines get their chance to shine beginning Wednesday night, Aug. 21, as V-8 mini rods, motorcycle-powered modified tractors and Stock V twin garden tractor pulls start at 7 p.m.

The 4X4 truck pull is the Friday grandstand event at 7 p.m., while tractor pulls get underway at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Meanwhile, an old-fashioned draft horse pull is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday.

While the admission to the fair is free, the grandstand shows will carry a fee. Tickets are $9 for adults, $5 for kids ages 7-13, and free for those 6 and younger.

Oconto County Youth Fair schedule of events

Saturday, Aug. 17

8 a.m. - Small Animal/Caged Bird Registration

8:30 a.m. - Small Animal/Caged Bird Show

9 a.m. - Horse Show

9 a.m. - Cat/Dog Show Registration

9:30 a.m. - Cat Show, followed by the Dog Show, at approximately 10 to 10:15 a.m. Monday, August 19

4 to 7 p.m. - Open Class Exhibits (Non-Animal)

Tuesday, August 20

9 to 11 a.m. - Open Class Exhibits (Non-Animal)

1 p.m. until completed - Open Class Judging (Non-Animal)

1 to 8 p.m. - Junior Class Check-In/Judging (Non-Animal)

Wednesday, August 21

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Junior Class (Sheep, Goats, Swine, Beef)

1 to 8 p.m. - Junior Class (Poultry and Rabbit)

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. - Weigh Ins (Starting with Hogs, Sheep, Goats and Beef to follow)

5 p.m. until completed - Ultrasounds 1) Beef, 2) Hogs 3) Goats 4) Sheep

7 p.m. - V8 Mini Rods, Motorcycle Powered Modified Tractors, and Stock V Twin Garden Tractor Pull

Thursday, August 22

9 a.m. - Swine Show, Sheep to Follow Swine Show

1 to 5 p.m. - Junior Class (Dairy)

5 p.m. - Lane Ludtke Band (By Opening Ceremony)

6 p.m. - Opening Ceremony

6:30 to 10:30 p.m. - Homegrown Band (Beerstand)

7 p.m. - AG Olympics

Friday, August 23

9 a.m. - Rabbit Show

10 a.m. - Beef Show

12:30 p.m. - Randy Peterson Music for Kids

2 p.m. - Mischief and Magic Show

3 p.m. - Goat Show

3 to 7 p.m. - Ken and Kris Band (Beerstand)

4 p.m. - Rabbit Kiddie Showmanship

5 to 6:30 p.m. - Truck Pull Registration

5 p.m. (following the goat show) - Special Drive Swine Show, a pig show that gives students with special needs the opportunity to show a pig, after an afternoon of mentorship with a current exhibitor.

5 p.m. - Randy Peterson Music for Kids

6:30 p.m. - Mischief and Magic Show

7 p.m. - 4x4 Truck Pulls

7 to 11 p.m. - Rapid Transit Band (Beerstand)

Saturday, August 24

9 a.m. - Dairy Show

9 a.m. to noon - Cake Registration (Expo Hall)

9 a.m. - Poultry Show

9 a.m. - Draft Horse Pull

10 a.m. - Mischief and Magic Show

12:30 p.m. - Randy Peterson Music for Kids

2 p.m. - Mischief and Magic Show

3 p.m. - Cake Auction

3:30 to 6:30 p.m. - Music by Leo G (Beerstand)

4 p.m. - Poultry Kiddie Showmanship

4 to 5 p.m. - Tractor Registration

5 p.m. - Mischief and Magic Show

6 p.m. - Tractor Pulls

6:30 p.m. - Randy Peterson Music for Kids

7 p.m. - Exhibitor/Animal Formal Show

8 to 11:30 p.m. - Music by Jordan Blanchard (Beerstand)

Sunday, August 25

9 a.m. - Mischief and Magic Show

9:30 a.m. - Kiddie Showmanship Registration

10 a.m. - Kiddie Showmanship

11 a.m. to noon - Bidder Registration

Noon - Livestock Sale of Champions Auction

Noon to 3 p.m. - TNT Polka Band (Beerstand)

Contact Kevin Dittman at 920-431-8416 or kdittman@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: What's happening at the Oconto County Youth Fair this year? Your guide to the fair