By TAYLOR WOOTEN, the Daily Journal
The Johnson County 4-H and Agricultural Fair is gearing up for a full-throttle return after last year’s fair featured only live-streamed 4-H activities.
Now that COVID-19 cases are decreasing in Johnson County, with just eight new cases reported this week so far, precautions at the event will be minimal. Hand sanitizing stations will be set up and individuals will not be required to wear masks, a sharp contrast to last year’s canceled and virtual events just a few months after the pandemic was declared a public health emergency. Now, along with the typical fair events, the Johnson County Health Department will host a vaccine clinic at the fair.
Also, in a new event, at 7 p.m. tonight and Saturday, the fair will host the first Johnson County Grand National Championship Truck and Tractor pull. The event will cost $20 to attend with free parking. Tractors are being brought in from places such as Michigan and Wisconsin as well as from around the state, said Brian Young, fair board president.
There won’t be many changes compared to what the county fair looked like pre-pandemic.
The changes to last year’s fair did what they needed to do, Young said. They enacted safety precautions while still allowing children involved in 4-H to compete after years of hard work.
“Our community and the kids in 4-H are why we put this whole thing on,” he said.
Despite the changes, last year’s fair had no shortage of support, from parents of 4-Hers and the community, said Charlie Rodenhuis, vice president of the fair board.
“We’re trying to pay that back a little bit and try to have the best fair we’ve had in a long time,” Rodenhuis said.
Despite successful adaptations in the midst of the pandemic, fair officials are excited to see the fair as it is meant to be — with a full slate of carnival rides, events and food vendors.
“We think it’s going to be really big,” Young said.
Area carnivals and street fairs have been largely attended this season, which bodes well for this year’s county fair predictions, he said.
Johnson County residents are excited to get back out to the fairgrounds for a week of competitions, fried food and fun rides. The fair board has received many comments online from eager fairgoers, Young said.
Among the cows, dogs, goats, horses and rabbits, an unusual creature will be at the fairgrounds — dinosaurs are making a return. The Jurassic animatronics that made an appearance at the 2019 fair will come alive at morning and evening time intervals Tuesday through Sunday.
The swine pens have also been completely replaced, with 307 new pens installed at the swine barn, Young said.
The forecast on Thursday called for a mild, sunny fair week with highs in the 80s, according to the National Weather Service. There is small chance of thunderstorms Sunday and Monday.
Fairgoers should dress appropriately for the heat, consider wearing light-colored clothing and make sure they stay hydrated, said Joe Skowronek, a National Weather Service meteorologist.
“We’re so pumped up and ready to have it and to be able to be here. We think it’s going to be a really good fair,” Young said.
Rodenhuis echoed that the fair community and crew are looking forward to the event. Many people were setting up at the fairgrounds Monday evening, he said.
“You just feel like a little boost of energy, definitely compared to last year and even in the years past,” Rodenhuis said. “I think everybody’s kind of looking forward to it.”
Admission to the fairgrounds is free, but parking on the fairgrounds costs $5 per car. A week-long parking pass is available for purchase at the fair office. Parking is free before 1 p.m.
