The Wright Co. Fair is almost here! Located in Howard Lake, the five-day event runs July 24-28 this year, with each day packed with entertainment for all ages. 

 

Fair organizers and local 4-H groups have been busy preparing.

 

Thursday, Wright Co. 4-H groups, including Clearwater’s Northern Peak, helped get the fairgrounds in tip-top shape, cleaning and preparing the 4-H building and food stand.

 

“Our members have been hurrying to finish up their entries,” said Northern Peak leader Karen O’Konek. “At our last meeting we encouraged everyone to bring their projects so we could practice judging and presenting.”

 

Members of the group have entered a number of categories, including aerospace, food and nutrition, photography, arts and crafts, vet science and rabbits.

 

“We have a lot of kids that don’t have farm animals,” said O’Konek. “So they’re in a lot of general exhibition. Many people don’t realize 4-H is more than farm and animals, so it’s nice to have so many of them showing in other categories.”

 

Two Northern Peak families are participating in the fair for the first time this year, including the McFadden’s; Owen, 10, Abby, 9, and Hadley, 6.

 

“I’m feeling pretty confident,” said Owen, who is showing rabbits and made models for both the aerospace and self-determined categories.

 

His sisters are a little nervous, but excited. Both are showing rabbits and are participating in a number of general exhibition categories.

 

“I did a painting of the river from when we went camping,” said Abby, who also took photographs from the family’s camping trip, handstitched a unicorn and made a scrapbook.

 

Hadley, who’s in Clover Buds, is also entering photographs and a handstitched an owl.

 

“Our livestock shows are going to be just amazing,” said Fair Board Director Troy Biese. “We’ve been fortunate to have strong support for 4-H and FFA. It’s amazing to see the kids and how they’ve been working with their animals. You can see a lot of heart and soul.”

 

Popular events from previous years are being held at the grandstand, with the combine demo on Wednesday, bull riding on Thursday, the truck and tractor pull on Saturday, and the demolition derbies on Friday and Sunday.

 

“Bull riding is another spectacular show,” said Biese, “It’s strictly bulls and kids’ events. Friday’s demolition derby is just cars, and Sunday’s will also feature pickups, vans and SUVs.”

 

On the west end of the fairgrounds the antique tractor pull is being held on Thursday. Due to its popularity, a third day was added to the BMX Bicycle Thrill Show, which will hold three shows each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. At the end of each performance a kid’s bike will be given away.

 

The classic car and truck show is once again being held on Saturday and is open to everyone with a collector vehicle. Awards will be given based on votes by spectators. Sunday is the motorcycle show, which is open to anyone with a vintage or modern bike.

 

On the entertainment side there’s something for every taste. A DJ will be providing music on Wednesday, Thursday features Chopper, the World’s Nuttiest DJ, and multiple musical shows will be held on Friday and Saturday. 

 

Sunday features Sherwin Linton celebrating his 80th birthday at the fairgrounds with three different shows; a tribute to Johnny Cash, a rock and roll show and a country music show.

 

Thursday-Saturday there’s the annual pie eating contest, senior citizen day is Friday with a dinner and performance by the Wagon Wheelers, Sunday is military day, and visitors can attend church service on Sunday.

 

Also entertaining the crowds this year is Agri-Mania, an educational comedy and magic show focused on Minnesota agriculture, The Raptures of Minnesota, a bird program featuring raptors including eagles and hawks, the Clown Arounds of Wright Co., a volunteer organization that dresses up like clowns and performs at community events, and the exotic animal zoo.

 

One of the most popular performances at the fair every year is the All-American Lumberjack Show, which has multiple shows Thursday-Sunday.

 

“It’s quite an exciting show,” said Biese. “They have competitions among themselves and have log rolling, chain saw demos and sculpture carving.”

 

It’s not a fair without a carnival, and once again Merriam’s Midway carnival will be the place to be. Attendees can purchase tickets or an armband, which gives them unlimited rides for the day.

 

“We’ve got favorite food booths returning along with a few new ones,” said Biese. “And don’t forget about all our venders both inside and out. There will be a lot of people from our local communities, and we support them as much as they support us. Shop local!”

 

For complete information on all the great events at this year’s Wright Co. Fair, visit wrightcountyfair.org.