Several changes have been made this year in an effort to promote attendance and participation, especially among the young adult population, says fair board member Tina Iten.

 

“We have moved the parade from Friday evening to Saturday morning,” Iten said. “We are hoping to attract more entrants and eliminate the Friday night traffic jam.”

 

There are 70 entrants signed up for the parade so far. Iten hopes more will sign up this week. Applications to join the parade will be accepted through the end of July 18.

 

“There are prizes for the three best floats,” she said. “First place is $100. Second place is $75 and third place gets $50.”

 

Grand marshals for the parade are long-time volunteer Danny Dill, with the Sherburne County Rise Up Riders Saddle Club, and Marion Salzman, who has been with the fair board for 27 years and at one time served as treasurer.

 

“They will both be riding on their own John Deere tractors,” Iten said.

 

Dill, who has been riding in the fair for the past 30 plus years, started at the age of 11, showing horses in 4-H and is now an all-around helper. Sunday at 8 a.m. the Rise Up Riders will present their own pleasure horse show.

 

The carnival always draws its share of fairgoers and this year an additional wrist band ride day has been added. Wrist band rides will be available Thursday, Friday and Sunday but not Saturday, Iten said.

 

For the first time this year, fairgoers are invited to participate in a selfies scavenger hunt at the fair. The winner of this contest will take home an Xbox 1 gaming system and a 43- inch color flat-screen television. There are also other prizes, which will be determined by how many pictures are posted all four days of the fair.

 

Participants must go to the county fair page on Facebook to register and obtain an identification number. Every day, a list of 15 objects will be posted. The idea is to find the object, take a selfie with it and post it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #SherbCtyFair.

 

Prizes will be given away for the most selfies (the object must be completely visible), and also for the most unique selfies. For complete details on the selfie scavenger hunt, see their website at www.sherburnecountyfair.org.

 

The fair board is also sponsoring their third annual medallion hunt, intended for all age groups. New clues will be posted on the website daily, on the bulletin board at the fair office, on Facebook and at off-site locations like Elk River Dominos and the Becker holiday station no later tha  8 a.m.

 

The medallion will be hidden in a protective wrapper and will be at least 25% exposed. 

 

It will not be located among the open class or 4-H project exhibits. The finder should take the medallion to the fair office to claim their prize.

 

Anyone who ever wanted to participate in a demolition derby but didn’t have time to put a car together has an opportunity to win a chance by purchasing a $10 raffle ticket to drive a car provided by the fair. Ten tickets will be drawn. 

 

First prize for the smash and crash derby is $500. Second place takes home $100 and third place wins $50. Drawing entrants must be 18 and be present to win. The must also have a helmet to participate. 

 

McPete’s Sports Bar and Bowling is sponsoring a bean bag toss competition at the fai for the first time this year.

 

Bean bag toss has proved to be even more popular activity than horseshoes. It is a good sport for improving aim, dexterity and eye hand coordination. It can be played by a team or by individuals at any age level or strength.

 

For these and many more activities, see David Hannula’s story from last week’s paper, or go to the Sherburne County Fair website at www.sherburnecountyfair.org or their Facebook page.