July 29, 2015 at 5:40 p.m.
Oneida County Fair has something for everybody
Oneida County Fair has something for everybody
By Kayla Thomason-
The opening ceremony is set for 5 p.m. and the community is encouraged to attend.
"We would like people from the community - if they wouldn't mind coming down - (to come to) the opening ceremony," fair coordinator Nancy Gehrig said. "To me that's really important."
The procession will include the fair committee, a horse and carriage, 4-H representatives and a color guard.
Once the opening ceremony has concluded the fun will begin. The fair is free to all, but donation boxes will be scattered throughout the grounds. The proceeds will help keep the fair going.
There will be 15 to 20 rides on the midway ranging from mild to flip-your-stomach. On the mild end, the classic Ferris wheel will take riders on a slow journey with an exceptional view.
"That's kind a standard that everybody can ride on that, which is nice," Gehrig said. "The grandparents can go on it with the grandchildren, so it's fun for all."
Various forms of entertainment, ranging from viewing animals to listening to music, will be offered all four days of the fair.
There will be wood carving demonstrations by Scott Schmidt and 4-H will have various demonstrations and shows throughout the weekend.
There will be dog agility demos at 4:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday. A 4-H show is set for 2 p.m. and another agility demo will be held at 4 p.m. The final agility demo of the weekend will be held Sunday at 1 p.m.
No matter your interests, there is something to see at the fair.
Local car dealerships will be displaying some of their vehicles in the Vehicleville area and fairgoers might get cuteness overload visiting with the critters in Animal Alley.
Cassidy's Critters is scheduled to be on-site with a capuchin monkey, squirrel monkeys, camels, llamas, rabbits, the petting zoo and pony rides.
"She's returning back with all of her great animals," Gehrig said. "I'm still hearing out in the community how great that the Cassidy's Critters and Animal Alley was (last year)."
In the Action Arena the Hodag Equestrian Drill Team will perform shows daily. Barrel racing will be part of the performances.
TLC Dog Training will have a Parade of Dogs featuring many different breeds.
Those who love to watch happy-go-lucky low-set dogs dart through the grass will enjoy the 6th annual Pat Dineen Memorial Doxy Dash. It averages around 10 canine racers.
In Family Land, the ever popular UB the Band will be back.
"That's a great family event (where) the kids and the parents and everyone can get up and perform," Gehrig said.
Festive Faces will offer face painting and Old School Arts and Learning Center will have children's activities and rides. This will be Old School's first time being a part of the fair.
"What we're planing is - because it's Old School - we want to set up an area of kind of old-school traditional kind of fun and games," said Louise Perreault, operator of Old School Arts and Learning Center.
Crafts may include things children might make at summer camp, creations with popsicle sticks, Twister and potholder weaving.
Family members who are getting overheated or tired can find refuge with Old School Arts and Learning Center in Family Land.
There will be shade, checkers, board games, card games and other fun activities.
"Things that people know how to do and will have fun and just a place to get away and relax," Perreault said.
Family Land is situated next to the playground, so people can relax and watch their children have fun on the equipment.
On the adult side of things, the Exhibit Court will feature various arts and crafts. Those 55 years of age and older can participate in a cribbage tournament on Friday afternoon in the Senior Pavilion. There will be bingo on Saturday. Both activities are free and include door prizes.
In addition to rides and other attractions, the 2015 fair will feature several contests.
There will be a watermelon eating contest on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the green area between ball diamond and hockey arena sponsored by the Hodag Farmers Market.
The Ugly Lamp contest will be held again this year as will the Floral Container contest.
First-, second- and third-place winners will receive gift certificates to the respective sponsor's store ranging from $35, $25 or $15 respectively.
The staff will water the containers daily and judging will be Aug. 1.
There will be a dunk tank on the premises for members of organizations to help earn funds.
"That's for anyone in the community that would like to make money for their organization," Gehrig said.
Fairgoers can watch the volunteer fire departments battle it out during the Water Wars Sunday.
There will be barrels on ropes strung up as tall as a telephone line. The firefighters will spray water into them to see whose makes it to the other end first.
"They have to get the barrel from one end to the other," Gehrig said.
The Water Wars is done at the end of the fair so that people don't have to trudge through mud.
People who work up an appetite will find many food vendors at the Food Court. There will be many return vendors, including some new ones.
Fairgoers can quench their thirst and listen to live music at the Beverage Garden between 4 and 7 p.m. There they will find everything from soda to alcohol.
Those hoping to hear some additional tunes can find bands under the big top.
Chasin' Mason, a country rock band, will open the concerts starting at 8 p.m.
50's Fair Play, a rock and roll band, will perform from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday. The Jimmys, a funk/R&B/blues band, will take the stage from 8 to 11 a.m.
Atlas Sleeps, a rock band, will play a set from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Following them will be Mike Stone Trio, a jazz group, from 4 to 7 p.m. Wrapping up the evening will be Howard "Guitar" Luedtke & Blue Max, a rock/blues band, from 8 to 11 p.m.
Closing the 2015 fair will be local bands Donna Gaspardo, bluegrass/southern gospel, from noon to 1 p.m. and Scott Kirby from 2 to 5 p.m.
"We wanted (Sunday) to definitely be a local day," Gehrig said. "We have so many great entertainers in our local area."
Gehrig is hoping for 18,000 visitors. They had about 19,000 last year.
"This year I think we're good if the weather permits," she said. "Hope and a prayer that we have great weather, definitely and if we get all that I'm hoping for a great turnout."
In-kind and monetary donations were made by the 45-50 sponsors.
Wristband tickets will be available for $15 at Hext Theatre, the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce and Trig's in Rhinelander. Otherwise it is $20 at the gate.
For more information on the Ugly Lamp contest, call the UW-Extension Office at (715) 365-2750.
For more information on the container contest, call Kathy Silbernagel at (563) 639-3476.
For more information on the fair, visit www.oneidacountyfairwi.com/index.html.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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