‘There’s no time like fair time!’
It’s not just a statement, it is the theme for this year’s Johnson County 4-H and Agricultural Fair.
Can you smell the beaver tails, the lemon shake-ups and milkshakes? Starting Sunday, they’re back for the week.
The 4-Hers have finished their projects and prepped their animals for the show ring. The carnival workers are gearing up to set up on Saturday. The Johnson County Fair Board is setting in motion their carefully-hatched plans and countless volunteers are helping in advance of opening day.
Matt Davis, fair board president, said beloved traditions are on deck, along with new attractions and vendors.
The fun will kick off with the annual fair parade Saturday at 1 p.m., though events won’t start until the following day. Per usual, people can expect to see tons of flying candy and finely decorated floats. This year Johnson County REMC was chosen as the grand marshal to honor all of the hard work they’ve put in recently to clean up storm damage, Davis said.
The parade will take off from Franklin Community Middle School and end at the Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office parking lot. The route will follow Banta Street, Walnut Street, East Jefferson Street and Home Avenue.
Some new attractions at the fair include glass blowing, axe throwing, and Quack Pack, a crew of duck-herding border collies. The Quack Pack dogs will show fair-goers how they search for and herd ducks safely back home, Davis said. The Quack Pack will be at the fair on July 22 with show times starting at 7 p.m. Mobile Glass Studios will demonstrate glass blowing at the fair on Wednesday and Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m., while axe throwing is available every day of the fair at 1 p.m., in a booth set up near Herring Hall.
Also new this year, is the Black and White Market, which is a new locally-grown and handmade market inspired by the Indiana Grown market at the Indiana State Fair. Some of the items to be featured from local vendors are goat milk soap, dog treats, customized tumblers, hand-crafted cutting boards and locally produced honey. The market is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. near Herring Hall.
A couple of hit attractions are back again after the fair board received a lot of positive feedback. A couple of those are the wood carving demonstration from Norsewoodsman and Barn Yard Party Pals, a petting zoo provider, Davis said. In previous years, carvers have created large bear statues and wooden eagle figurines, among other unique shapes. The carvers do their work in real-time, giving fairgoers a glimpse into the world of wood carving, Davis said.
The petting zoo is open each day of the fair, while the wood carving is available from Sunday to Thursday.
At least three new food vendors are coming to the fair this year, including Pap’s Kettle Corn, Antojitos Rosita and Gestner Homemade, according to posts on the Johnson County Fair Facebook page. Antojitos Rosita is an Edinburgh-based food truck offering a taste of Vera Cruz, Mexico. Gestner Homemade is a veteran-owned food truck offering sweet treats like dessert nachos, as well as breakfast that can be pre-ordered.
Davis personally is the most excited for the strawberry and pineapple dole whip twists, which are a perfect, chilled way to cool off after a few go-rounds on the midway.
“Oh, the strawberry and pineapple twist! That is the best,” Davis laughed. “I get excited about that.”
Speaking of the midway, ride deals are being offered Monday through July 22. Moonlight Madness, with ride bracelets at $30, are set for Monday through Thursday from 6 to 11 p.m. The price for a ride bracelet goes up to $35 on July 21 and 22 for Weekend Madness. Kiddy Day is Tuesday from 1 to 5 p.m., for that time period ride bracelets are only $18.
For anyone who hasn’t checked out the fair in years prior, Davis said this year is the perfect time to do so. The rides and vendors are great, but at the heart of the fair is 4-H, he said.
“There’s all kinds of fun things to see! There’s all kinds of variety of things to see and do,” Davis said. “It’ll get you (more familiar with) agriculture too. So that you know what we do and have an appreciation for agriculture and 4-H.”
Weekend Fair Happenings
Here is a look at some of this weekend’s highlights. The midway opens at 5 p.m. Sunday:
Johnson County Fair Parade
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: The parade starts at Franklin Community Middle School and winds around downtown Franklin, ending at the Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office at 1 Caisson Drive.
Dog Show
When: 8 a.m. Sunday
Where: East side of Fitzpatrick Hall
Truck Show
When: 12-5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Grandstands
Axe Throwing
When: 1 p.m. Sunday
Where: Northeast corner of Herring Hall
Pet Parade
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Indoor arena
Registration: Children up to 10 years old can take part for free. Registration starts at 12 p.m. Sunday.
Little Miss and Mr. Johnson County
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Indoor arena
Flat/Dirt Drags
When: 6:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Grandstands
Cost: Admission is $10; Pit Passes are $15
Fair Queen Pageant
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Indoor arena
