The 94th annual Wayne County Fair is right around the corner and Wayne County Ag Society members and other volunteers can be found at the fairgrounds making sure the event goes smoothly.
This year's fair gets underway on Wednesday, July 27 and continues through Sunday, July 31.
Although no major projects have been undertaken at the fairgrounds this year, fairboard members and others have put in countless hours cleaning buildings and the grounds and making sure all is ready for the five day event.
This year's fair will include a number of familiar events and several new attractions. In addition, there will be some shifting of the days when events will be held.
The majority of items will be entered on Wednesday, July 27 and entry into the fairgrounds that day will be free.
The evening will conclude with a retirement of unserviceable flags ceremony at 7:45 p.m. and gospel music by Kristina Craig at 8 p.m. in the grandstand.
Thursday's schedule includes the traditional 4-H Horse Show, Bucket Calf Show, Dairy Show, Goat Show and Sheep Show.
Thursday's grandstand entertainment will be Ultimate Bullriding Tour and LJ Jenkins Invitational Bullriding Tour beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Judging of 4-H swine, feeder calves, breeding and market beef will take place on Friday, July 31, as will the annual 4-H Fashion Show.
One of the more popular attractions will be back again this year as Wildlife Encounters will be on the fairgrounds Friday, Saturday and Sunday for two presentations each day.
Also on tap will be the 54th annual barbecue, beginning at 6 p.m.
Announcement of the Fair Person of the Year, Farm Bureau Awards and Oldest Active Farmer will take place beginning at 6:45 p.m.
The Lucas Oil PPL/Nebraska Bush Pullers Tractor Pull will begin at 7 p.m. in the Grandstand.
Entertainment will also take place in the Beer Garden and a Teen Dance will be held in the Little Theatre.
Saturday, July 30 will include the 4-H Rabbit Show, 4-H Poultry Show, the open class beef show, open class horse show and the Stan Nelsen Memorial Partner Pitch Tournament in the morning and Pick-up Mud Drags, the horse shoe pitching contest.
Face painting will take place in the Commercial Building from 12-3 p.m. and again from 4-7 p.m. in the Commercial building.
Saturday's entertainment in front of the grandstand will be provided by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at 8:30 p.m.
The fair wraps up on Sunday, July 31 with gospel music by Miss Molly and Company at 10 a.m. in the Little Theater.
Also scheduled for Sunday are a pie judging contest at noon; Ag Olympics at 12 p.m.; 4-H Round Robin Showmanship at 1:30 p.m. and the 4-H Livestock Bonus Auction at 3 p.m.
All exhibits will be released at 3 p.m. and the fair will conclude with the Demolition Derby at 5 p.m.
Richard's Amusements will be on the midway Thursday through Sunday and bingo will be played in the Little Theater at various times on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
In addition, Golf on the Go will be available Thursday through Sunday; Nascar Simulator will be on the fairgrounds Friday through Sunday and Papa Bear Chainsaw artist will be creating sculptures Thursday through Sunday.
For more information, call the Fair Office at (402) 375-5531 or visit the fair's website, www.thewaynecountyfair.com.
