Mike Wolanin | The Republic flying in a vehicle during the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds in Columbus, Indiana, Tuesday, June 28, 2022・Participants of the fair.
The annual Bartholomew County 4-H Fair begins on Friday, June 23rd and runs for nine days through Saturday, July 1st.
Best known for its early performances in Columbus, the Wombreath Rock Orchestra features 11 musicians, including a four-piece string section and two horns. Concerts on the grandstand from 7pm range from Motown hits to classic rock. Individual tickets for adults are $5, but children 12 and under are admitted free.
While fair attendance is returning to normal, 4-H club membership has yet to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to 4-H youth development director Elizabeth Eaton, membership in her local club in 2017 and her 2018 went from 810 for her to 840 for her.
However, due to the 2020 pandemic, that number has fallen to 593 in 2021, but rose to 624 last year. It currently has 611 members, but Eaton said that number looks low because of the sheer number of teens who will be finishing their 10th and final year in 2022.
Fairness Commission President Rick Trimpe said many of today’s young people exhibiting livestock, horses and poultry will have multiple entries. But he also encourages fair-goers to check out the non-agricultural exhibits, from technology to arts and crafts. Many are located in the REMC Family Arts building.
It is Kisel Entertainment that will return to the relay for the second year in a row. Kisell, which has offices in Oceana, Ohio, and Clanton, Alabama, is committed to introducing additional vehicles never before seen in Bartholomew County, Trimpe said. Mr Trimpe said Fairboard was fully impressed with Kissel’s mid-2022 announcement.
During the nine days of the fair, various activities are held in the morning, afternoon and evening. For a complete list, see the 4-H Activities booklet distributed Thursdays in the Republic.
Fan-favorite events include:
Friday, June twenty three: The official opening is at 5pm. Purchase a $30 wristband for unlimited rides on the fairways. Local favorite Night Owl country band David Boll plays at his theater as a rock concert by the Wombreath Rock Orchestra kicks off on the grandstand at 7pm.
Saturday, June twenty four: On Military Appreciation Day, anyone with a military ID can park for free. The Little Miss and Mr. Contest begins at 3:00 PM at the David Boll Theater. The demolition derby, which takes place at 7pm in the grandstand, is expected to see the largest crowds. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12. The first of his two discounts on Midnight Madness starts at 8pm. Purchase a $25 wristband for unlimited rides until closing.
Sunday in June twenty five: The Antique Tractor Pull starts at noon on the Grandstand, and the Baby Personality Contest will be held from 1pm to 5pm at the Farm Authority building. Midway opens at 3pm and you can ride as much as you want with a $35 wristband. The Farm Stock Tractor Pull and Truck Pull will take place inside the Grandstand at 6:30pm and the 4-H Fashion Review will begin at 7pm at the David Boll Theater.
Monday in June 26: Watermelon spitting starts at 5:30pm inside the Agriculture Department building. But one of the fair’s biggest events is expected to be the Three Bar J Rodeo, weather permitting. It starts at the grandstand at 7pm on Monday. Triumpe said the rodeo, which returned in 2022 after a hiatus of several years, attracted the same size crowd as the demolition derby.
Tuesday, June 27: Patrons get $5 off a $30 wristband for unlimited rides from 5 p.m. until closing when they bring in canned goods to donate to the food pantry. Tuesday night’s top attraction is the All-Star Circuit of Champions TQ Midget Race, sponsored by the Tony Stewart Foundation. Stewart, a Columbus native and NASCAR Hall of Famer, will attend and compete in the race unless unforeseen circumstances affect his schedule, Triumph said.
Wednesday, June 28: Traditionally known as Kids Day, this event gives you unlimited rides from 3pm until closing with a $25 wristband. Columbus Go-Karts will be the centerpiece event at the grandstands at 7pm. David Boll his theater hosts activities for younger children from 3pm to 4:30pm during Adventure Day his carnival. At the same location, free entertainment will be provided by Sonya’s Dance Zone from 6pm.
Thursday, June 29: A repertoire of marches, show tunes, and light classical pieces performed by the Columbus City Band at 7 PM at the David Boll Theater. At the same time, the Southern Indiana Dirt Drag will be held in the grandstands. This is basically a diesel drag race with pickup trucks, sprinting 150 to 200 feet in the dirt. When Midway opens at 5pm, the unlimited ride wristband will cost him $30, but buy one and he’ll get the second free.
Friday, June 30: This day is usually the busiest day for 4-H people. Club activities include a Parade of Champions at the Pavilion at 5pm, Supreme His Showmanship Awards and Livestock Awards from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. The biggest musical attraction is the 7:00 PM performance by the Columbus East High School Choir at the David Ball. theater. For Midway enthusiasts, Friday is the final Midnight Madness event, where you can buy a $25 wristband for unlimited rides from 8pm until closing.
Saturday 1st July: The final day of the fair kicks off with a 4-hour livestock sale at the Pavilion at 8:15pm. Midway is open from 3pm to 10pm and wristbands are $35. His second demolition derby of the fair will start in the grandstands at 7pm. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12.
For the first time, travel trailer and recreational vehicle owners can enjoy the latest amenities by camping at the fairgrounds all week. The county spent $629,180 from the federal COVID-19 Relief Fund to install a new sewer service, electrical pedestal, and plumbing renovations at the showground. More than 100 connecting facilities are enough to accommodate both mid-career workers and local residents who own RVs and campers, Mr. Trimpe said.
