Skip to main content

County fair start next week

Lead Summary
, ,
By
Lori Sorenson

The 2015 Rock County Fair is set to begin next week with 4-H judging starting on Monday, July 27, and shows opening Wednesday, July 30.
Events and activities are set to continue through Saturday night, and Fair Board Secretary Lee Sells said this year’s event is shaping up to be a crowd pleaser.
For one thing, he said there’s an extra grandstand event, the Rock County Speedway Races, which will bring back the same mix of mini sprints and stock cars that were popular at the June 4 event at the fairgrounds.
In what’s been dubbed the “Salute to Agriculture Night” in the grandstands, the races feature micro sprinters, hobby stock, a pure stock class and supercharger/front-wheel drive category.
Hot laps start at 7 p.m. for the evening that’s sponsored by dozens of local businesses and organizations.
The added grandstand event meant that the annual Rock County Talent Show, which is the usual Thursday grandstand attraction, will be moved to the historic Palace Theatre on Main Street.
“That was always the backup location,” Sells said about the venue change. So, he said, it won’t be a difficult switch for fans and contestants to go to the Palace stage, which he said is well suited for talent competition.
Another major grandstand event at the fair will be the return of the Arch Allies tribute band, which will play songs by Journey, REO Speedwagon and Styx.
“They drew quite a crowd last year,” Sells said about the 600-plus crowd for Arch Allies at last year’s fair. “Hopefully this year it goes just as well if not better.”
The concert, sponsored by the Luverne Area Community Foundation and the Rock County Ag Society, begins at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, July 31.
Sells said the Enduro Race, sponsored by Connell Car Care, will again be the main event at the grandstands Saturday, Aug. 1.
“Our enduro always has a huge following,” he said about the event, which typically draws about 800 people.
Sells said there are typically 20 to 30 early signups, with another 15 to 20 that show up at the gate.
The event starts at 7 p.m.
Sells said there are several attractions to watch for at the fair this year, in addition to the usual 4-H and open class displays.
Demonstrations by a chainsaw woodcarver and by an old-time blacksmith will go on from 3 p.m. to close Thursday through Friday at the fairgrounds. Also, there will be a live pottery wheel demonstration near the Floral Hall.
Sells said some of the wood carving creations will be auctioned off at the ribbon auction Saturday morning in the show arena and in a daily silent auction at his booth.
The kids Pedal Pull will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the grandstands and the beer garden will be open nightly Thursday through Saturday.
Midwest Rides and Concessions will again provide midway services from 6 p.m. to close Thursday and from 3 p.m. to close Friday and Saturday.
Advanced ride tickets are available at local businesses and at the Chamber office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. this week.

You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.