JANESVILLE — It’s time for the Rock County Fair.
This year’s fair starts Tuesday and runs through Sunday, July 28, at the Rock County fairgrounds in Janesville with the theme of “A Treasure Chest of Rock County’s Best.”
The fairgrounds are located at 1301 Craig Ave.
Information on admission ticket prices, carnival prices and wristband packages, the exhibitor judging schedule and the full week’s fair schedule is at www.rockcounty4hfair.com.
Special admission prices this week include 2-for-1 Tuesday, First Responders Day on Wednesday, Senior Citizen Day on Thursday and Veterans Appreciation Day on Thursday.
Grandstand entertainment includes the UW Marching Band at 6 p.m. Wednesday; Cherry Pie at 7 p.m. Wednesday; LOCASH at 8 p.m. Thursday; Tyler Farr at 8 p.m. Friday; Chayce Beckham at 8 p.m. Saturday; and Rice Bull Riders at 4 p.m. Sunday.
The fair coronation parade is at 6 p.m. Tuesday, followed by the Fairest of the Fair ceremony at 7 p.m. Another special annual event, the clothing fashion revue, is at 6 p.m. Friday. Other special events happening throughout the week include a hot glass academy, Canines in the Clouds, a lumberjack show, an interactive lumberjack camp, a veterans honor show, the Little Britches show, Old Timer Showmanship, the Dairy Youth Auction, and a gathering of Rock County 4-H Fair alumni.
Exhibitor judging begins Tuesday morning with non-animal projects and continues each day of the fair, concluding with the Master Showmanship contest at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Fair Board President Ryan George says attendees can expect new exhibits and lots of family fun, including more free daytime activities than in the past such as the lumberjack show and a glass blower who will be on the fairgrounds every day.
“We’ve always had great main stage evening entertainment, but we’re putting a lot of effort into having lots of free things to do during the day,” George said.
George said he’s particularly excited about the glass blower.
“That’s going to be a really, really cool kind of thing to just sit and watch,” he said.
There will also be a special new area where fair visitors can watch a cow being milked.
“Usually we milk the cows kind of in a backstage area, but this year we’re bringing it right out front (and) inviting the public to come watch,” he said.
There’s also a dog jumping show and events that are a fair staple, like the Rice Bull Riders on Sunday.
Beer tent
This is the first year ever that alcohol has been sold at the fair, in an effort to draw additional revenue.
“My goal for the beer tent is that if you’re not looking for it, you won’t even know it’s here. If you are looking for it, we encourage you to enjoy it,” George said.
The cost to bring in quality entertainment “has absolutely skyrocketed, and we need another source of income to offset that,” George said, adding that “people expect to be able to have a beer while watching them.”
He said the goal is simple: ensure the fair remains financially viable.
“We think that we have the greatest fear in the country, and we got to keep it relevant,” he said.
“It’s very economical for a family to come here and spend the day and enjoy it,” George added. “We have something for everyone.”
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