BY KEN FRANCIS, STAFF WRITER

 

 

Wednesday is judging day for exhibitors, but regular action begins Thursday with animals. The goat show kicks off 8 a.m at the livestock arena, followed by the 4-H horse show at 9 a.m. That’s followed by the sheep show at 10 a.m.

 

The 4-H and  tractor driving contest also starts at 10 a.m.

 

The carnival opens at noon as well as the commercial buildings. That’s when Ms. Jaz-EE the balloon artist also starts entertaining the kids.

 

Dean-O-Mite Entertainment for kids starts at 1 p.m. and continues throughout the day.

 

At 4 p.m. is the first Bingo game, and A Night In Paris dance starts at 5:30 p.m. at the beer garden. That’s followed by a bike giveaway at 6 p.m. before the big event, the NTPA Tractor Pull at the Grandstand at 7 p.m. 

 

For animal enthusiasts, the swine show takes place at the livestock arena at 7 p.m.

 

DJ and Karaoke entertainment closes out the activities for the day at the beer garden from 9:30 p.m. until 11 p.m.

 

On Friday, the 4-H horse show continues with level 6 and qualifying games starting at 8 a.m. The beef show starts at 9 a.m. at the livestock arena.

 

Throughout the fair there will be lumberjack shows, caravan dancers, medallion hunts and a visit by the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders.

 

The commercial building opens at 11 a.m. and the carnival opens at noon.

 

The llama show starts at 3:30 p.m. at the livestock arena and there’s more Bingo at 4 p.m.

 

The 4-H horse fun show starts at 5 p.m. and another bike giveaway takes place at 6 p.m.

 

Then the big entertainment begins in the Grandstand at 7 p.m. with country music star Chris Hawkey performing singing for the crowd.

 

There’s more for animal lovers to start the day Saturday with the poultry show at 8 a.m. and the 4-H miniature horse show at 8:30 a.m.

 

The Sherburne County Fair Parade starts at 10 a.m. on Main Street and continues to the fairgrounds.

 

At noon is the Dirt Devils Tractor Pull in the Grandstand, as well as the talent contest on the free stage, Bingo and the balloon artist roaming the grounds.

 

The Sherburne Showcase follows the talent show on the free stage at 1 p.m.. The kids will put on a robotics demonstration in the 4-H exhibit building at 2 p.m. at the same time, the Northern Lakes Vaulters will entertain the crowd in the horse arena.

 

Superstar Showmanship takes place at 5 p.m. in the 4-H building. The Jackpot Mounted Shooters do their stuff at the horse arena at 5 p.m. and over at the Grandstand, it’s the truck and tractor pull at 5 p.m.

 

The evening continues with the Steele River Band performing at the beer garden starting at 7:30 p.m.

 

Sunday’s activities begin at 10 a.m. with the Jackpot Mounted Shooting in the horse arena. That’s also when the 4-H’ers do their rocket and balloon launch in the Grandstand.

 

At 11 a.m., the Elk River German Band performs on the free stage, accompanied by the senior ice cream social.

 

There’s a barbecue contest at the 4-H foodstand at noon and another robotics demonstration at 2 p.m.

 

The Raptor Center will entertain the crowd with  some of their birds of prey on the free stage at 2:30 p.m.

 

Kids participate in their own tractor pull at 3 p.m., followed by another bike giveaway and a hypnotist on the free stage at 5 p.m.

 

The best is saved for last with most popular event, the demolition derby starting at 6 p.m. in the Grandstand. That’s also when horse and herdsmanship awards are given out.

 

The fair ends its four-day run at 8 p.m.

 

New this year is a presentation called the Oz Brothers, a two-man theatre group featuring the Lion and Scarecrow from the Wizard of OZ. The audience can take part in the event by making sound effects and making suggestions to help the characters get through the twists and turns of their journey.

 

The duo will be in the parade as well as roaming the fairgrounds and performing on the free stage.