Everyone Welcome To The Fair This WeekThe 103rd Kosciusko County Fair kicked off with a parade and opening ceremonies Sunday to a full crowd.
Fair Board President Kevin Harris welcomed fairgoers and thanked his fellow board members, fair staff and countless volunteers. The theme of this year's fair is “Red, White and Blue, and Old Engines, Too.”
Sunday afternoon's parade grand marshal, Maverick Lowe, was unable to attend due to illness, Harris said.
Harris briefly mentioned that the fair board has been involved in some controversy lately, but, "Whatever your feelings of these matters, we welcome you to the fair!"
This week's fair is full of events for kids from 1 to 92.
Today, children can meet and mingle with Disney princesses from 5 to 9 p.m. in the event center. Meanwhile local princes and princesses will be crowned during the children's pageants. Miss and Mister Toddler start at 5:30 p.m., Little Miss and Mister at 6:45 p.m. and Junior Miss and Mister at 7:45 p.m. All pageants take place in the event center, and registration can be filled out before the pageant.
On Tuesday, children can eat a free breakfast from 9 to 10 a.m. in the event center, compliments of Creighton Brothers and McDonald's.
Sarah Baier, who is in charge of this year's fair events, said Creighton Brothers is donating the eggs, and McDonald's is donating bacon, sausage and pancakes. Breakfast is free for parents who bring their children, Baier said, and to avoid gate admission, she suggests arriving before 9 a.m. Kosciusko REMC members who present their energy card will receive $1 off gate admission.
Wednesday is senior day at the fairgrounds, where North Webster Dixie Boat “Captain Bob” will serenade breakfast attendees.
Thursday might be the most exciting day in the event center, hosting the Kosciusko's Got Talent competition at 6 p.m. Participants can sign up 15 minutes before the start of the competition. First place wins $200, $100 goes to second place and $50 for third, Baier said.
"We've always had a talent competition, but last year I took over the tent and switched it from state fair-sanctioned competitions to just a local competition," Baier said. She said this allows for more interest, mostly because now she can offer cash prizes.
On Friday, men and women who think they can choke down the most hot dogs in the fastest amount of time should sign up for the hot dog eating contest. Baier said the female division will take place during the first intermission break of the demolition derby. The derby is at 7:30 p.m. The male division will take place during the second intermission break of the derby.
"We are capping it at 15 contestants per division," Baier said. First-place winner gets $100, second place gets $50 and third takes home a pack of hot dogs.
The hot dogs used in the competition will be cooked and include buns.
"They will have a glass of water and a throw-up bucket and five minutes to eat as many as they can," she said. A counting judge will be assigned to each contestant.
Daily rundowns of what's happening at the fair will be in this week's editions of the Times-Union.
For a complete schedule of all events and shows, visit www.kcfair.com.
