As temperatures and humidity rise and the calendar turns to July, it is fair time throughout the state.
The 103rd Wayne County Fair runs from July 23- 27 and .
This year's fair will begin with entry of exhibits on Wednesday, July 23 and run through Sunday, July 27.
Prior to the events scheduled for next week, The 4-H/FFA Cat and Dog Shows will take place on Saturday, July 19 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, beginning at 9 a.m.
On Wednesday, July 23 admission to the fair will be free with the majority of exhibits being entered that day.
These include all 4-H/FFA projects that will be displayed in the 4-H/Expo Center and all 4-H/FFA horses, beef, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, swine and dairy.
Activities planned for Thursday, July 24 include a Farmers Pride Breakfast in the Leland Herman Memorial Arena from 7 to 9 a.m. the 4-H/FFA Goat Show at 8 a.m. and the 4-H/FFA Horse Show, also beginning at 8 a.m.
Entry off all Open Class Home Economics Exhibits must be completed by noon with judging set to begin at 1 p.m.
The Pee Wee Bucket Calf Show begins at 10 a.m. in the Leland Herman Memorial Arena and will be followed by the 4-H Bucket Calf Show. The 4-H/FFA Dairy Show begins at noon
Throughout the day TJ Jenkins will be creating art on the east side of Ag Hall and the Kids Corn Pit will be open in the Kids Zone.
Midwest Rides will be on the midway, starting on Thursday and running throughout the fair.
The presentation of colors on Thursday will be provided by the Winside Post #252 at 7:15 and Colby Raulston will sing the National Anthem.
After opening ceremonies with Wayne County Ag Society President Doug Temme, the evening's entertainment will be the L4 Livestock Ultimate Bullriding Tour at 7:30 p.m.
Music for the Beer Garden will be provided by Jetley Park
Events on Friday, July 25 start with the 4-H/FFA Swine Show in the Kade Schmale Memorial Arean at 8 a.m., followed by the Open Class and 4-H/FFA Sheep Show.
Also Friday morning will be the 4-H/FFA Beef Show and Cow/Calf Show.
The weekly Chamber Coffee will be held in the Beer Garden at 10 a.m..
Ventriloquist Kevin Horner will have several presentations on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Little Theatre and Wildlife Encounters will be in the Kids Zone for shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The 62nd annual Barbecue will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday and followed by the presentation of colors by the Wayne AmVets and the sining of the National Anthem by Jennifer Johnson at 6 p.m.
The Outlaws Truck & Tractor Pull will take place in front of the Grandstand starting at 6:15 p.m.
Beer Garden entertainment on Friday will be provided by Reinvented Wheels.
The 4-H/FFA and Open Class Rabbit and 4-H/FFA and Open Class Poultry Shows will be held in the Kaden Schmale Swine Arena begining at 8 a.m..
A 4-H Timed Event Rodeo, followed by Round Robin Team Roping will be held in the Horse Arena.
The Stanley Nelsen Memorial Pitch Tournament begins at 9 a.m. in the Beer Garden and the Open Class Beef Show and Pee Wee and Open Class Goat Show will be held in the Leland Herman Memorial Arena.
Horseshoe Pitching will take place at the same location beginning at 1 p.m.
The 4-H Public Fashion Show will take place at the Expo Center at 5 p.m.
The presentation of colors on Saturday will be by the Carroll Post 165 at 7:15 p.m. and the singing of the National Anthem by Adrienne Anderson.
The Pioneer Farm Family, Oldest Active Farmer, Kilroy Award and Fair Person of the Year will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in front of the grandstand.
Local talent Tegan Nissen will perform in front of the grandstand starting at 8:30 p.m. and Scotty McCreery will be the headliner for the concert on Saturday, July 26.
According to information from his bio, "Scotty McCreery has been a household name for nearly half his life, ever since making history in 2011 as both the first country artist and the youngest male artist of any genre to debut his first studio album, the Platinum-certified Clear as Day, at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart."
With his latest album Rise & Fall, featuring his sixth No. 1 single "Cab in a Solo," current single "Fall of Summer," and 11 additional tracks, McCreery explores classic themes of heartbreak, rowdy nights, nostalgia, faith, newfound joy, fatherhood, and enduring love, and through it all, felt comfortable being himself, resulting in a project full of electrified twang, rich baritone vocals and insightful storytelling. The 31-year-old has sold more than 4 million albums and achieved 6 No.1 hits.
Tegan Nissen will also be providing music in the beer garden Saturday night.
The 2025 Wayne County Fair wraps up on Sunday, July 27 with a Community Worship Service in the grandstand at 10 a.m.
The Sweet Tooth Contest will be held at 1 p.m. in the 4-H/Expo Center and Team Roping will also start at 1 p.m. in the Horse Arena.
Registration for the Barnyard Pedal Pull starts at 1 p.m. in the Kaden Schmale Swine Arena and the 4-H/FFA Round Robin Showmanship competition begins at 1:30 p.m. in the Leland Herman Memorial Arena.
All fair exhibits will be released at 3 p.m.
Presentation of colors on Sunday will be provided by the 189th Transportation Company at 5 p.m. and will be followed by a Flag Retirement Ceremony at 5:15 p.m.
The auction of the wood carvings is set to take place at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by the Kids Power Wheels Derby and the Demolition Derby.
Entertainment for Sunday in the beer garden will be provided by Dave Merkel.
All activities are subject to change without notice. For updates, visit www.thewaynecountyfair.com
Event advertising is funded in part by a grand from the Wayne County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
