Henderson County Fair President Joe Kane and his wife and volunteer Cindy Kane, of Little York, prepare for the 83rd annual event. KBUR/Meghan D’Souza
We are well into summer and along with it has come sweet corn, extreme heat, and now fair season.
July 23rd marks the beginning of the Henderson County Fair.
As is tradition, the fair started with the Queen Pageant at West Central High School on Sunday night. Festivities continue on Monday morning with the Poultry Show at 9 a.m. followed by the Rabbit Show at 11 a.m.
Tuesday kicks off at 8 a.m. with Dog Obedience. The 4H Dog Care takes place at 9:30 a.m. with Cat Care following at 10 a.m. Sheep, goat, swine, and cattle weigh-in will take up the rest of the day beginning at 3 p.m.
Wednesday is a particularly big day with a Farmers’ Breakfast beginning at 6:30 a.m. Open Show Gen Projects and the sheep and goat show will both begin at 9 a.m. The day concludes with the free Family Night starting at 6:30 p.m. Families will enjoy inflatable rides, Kid Korral, volleyball, and several other events.
Thursday evening, folks can take in the 4H Fashion Revue and a tractor pull at 6:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday hold what Fair Board President Joe Kane has found to be the most popular event — the Figure 8 Races, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Although the event does have a zipline for the second year for folks of all ages to enjoy and the inflatable rides on Wednesday, Kane stated that funds don’t exist for a carnival. He appreciates that Gladstone is having their Homecoming event from the 27 — 29. He noted that last year, people enjoyed Gladstone’s free carnival, then stop by Stronghurst for the fair.
Kane and 25 board members have worked to put this year’s fair together since last year’s Henderson County Fair ended. As someone who has attended the fair since he was a child, he has great wishes for fair-goers as the week continues.
“I hope they enjoy themselves,” he said earnestly. “I hope they get a taste of something here that they can’t get anywhere else, or isn’t something they a chance to encounter too often.”
A detailed list of all events and admission cost is located at hendersoncofair.com. There is no cost for children under 10 attend.
