2008 Woodie Awards
Pig races, demo derby featured at Madison County Fair
Maggie Willis
Issue date: 7/18/07 Section: Lifestyles
Children yell excitedly about carnival rides and games, friends chat amiably while browsing 4-H exhibits, and crowds raucously cheer on chainsaw carving contests and tractor pulls, all to a backdrop of animal sounds and live music.
Yep, it's that time again-time for the annual Madison County Fair.
Running this year from Sunday through Friday, July 27, in Lindenville Park in Highland, the fair is a summer event that people from all over Madison County and beyond look forward to.
Depending on the weather, draws about 32,000 people each year, according to Secretary Treasurer Susan Zobrist, who is in her sixth year of managing the fair.
The first fair ever held in Highland was in 1898, and the Fair Board was incorporated in 1936 and has been putting on the fairs since then.
This year, however, they've got a couple new treats: a school bus race and racing pigs to add to the already extensive list of regular fair activities.
There's also free entertainment provided by the 4-H exhibit Wednesday, Arts & Crafts on Thursday and Friday, and the Super Scientific Circus, whose schedule is posted on the grounds.
According to Zobrist, the busiest day of the fair is Sunday, which is the opening day and hosts the opening ceremony at 12:30 p.m.
"We call Sunday our family day because we have a lot of things for families to do on Sundays here," Zobrist said. Some of those family-oriented events include the miss pigtail contest, school bus races and parade of princesses.
Zobrist also said that, out of all the events and exhibitions at the fair, the most popular is the arena events.
"Our arena events are a very popular part," Zobrist said. "The UMP Stock car race and combine demo derby are two of the most popular arena events."
While the arena events might be what draw newcomers, Zobrist recommends that people new to the fair make sure to plan time for looking around the fairgrounds.
"I would say, save a lot of time to walk around and look at all the stuff," Zobrist said. "We've got a lot of stuff to look at."
Vendors visitors might want to check out are located in the Expo building, outside in the Mall area and in the tents and display a range of items: photographs, art, baked goods and collections, just to name a few.
Visitors may also walk through the barns to look at a number of cattle housed there.
"Everyone should come out and see the best that Madison County has to offer," Zobrist said. "We will show them a good time while they are here."
Admission to the fair is free, and parking is $2.
For more information, a schedule of fair events or fairgrounds camping information, visit www.madcofair.com, e-mail madcofair@hometel.com or call 654-6656.
Yep, it's that time again-time for the annual Madison County Fair.
Running this year from Sunday through Friday, July 27, in Lindenville Park in Highland, the fair is a summer event that people from all over Madison County and beyond look forward to.
Depending on the weather, draws about 32,000 people each year, according to Secretary Treasurer Susan Zobrist, who is in her sixth year of managing the fair.
The first fair ever held in Highland was in 1898, and the Fair Board was incorporated in 1936 and has been putting on the fairs since then.
This year, however, they've got a couple new treats: a school bus race and racing pigs to add to the already extensive list of regular fair activities.
There's also free entertainment provided by the 4-H exhibit Wednesday, Arts & Crafts on Thursday and Friday, and the Super Scientific Circus, whose schedule is posted on the grounds.
According to Zobrist, the busiest day of the fair is Sunday, which is the opening day and hosts the opening ceremony at 12:30 p.m.
"We call Sunday our family day because we have a lot of things for families to do on Sundays here," Zobrist said. Some of those family-oriented events include the miss pigtail contest, school bus races and parade of princesses.
Zobrist also said that, out of all the events and exhibitions at the fair, the most popular is the arena events.
"Our arena events are a very popular part," Zobrist said. "The UMP Stock car race and combine demo derby are two of the most popular arena events."
While the arena events might be what draw newcomers, Zobrist recommends that people new to the fair make sure to plan time for looking around the fairgrounds.
"I would say, save a lot of time to walk around and look at all the stuff," Zobrist said. "We've got a lot of stuff to look at."
Vendors visitors might want to check out are located in the Expo building, outside in the Mall area and in the tents and display a range of items: photographs, art, baked goods and collections, just to name a few.
Visitors may also walk through the barns to look at a number of cattle housed there.
"Everyone should come out and see the best that Madison County has to offer," Zobrist said. "We will show them a good time while they are here."
Admission to the fair is free, and parking is $2.
For more information, a schedule of fair events or fairgrounds camping information, visit www.madcofair.com, e-mail madcofair@hometel.com or call 654-6656.
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