Once again, this year’s Clare County Fair, scheduled this year from Sunday, July 23th through Saturday, July 29th , will be, as always, jam packed with “Family Fun for Everyone!”
The 134th annual Clare County Fair, an old time celebration and one of the oldest fairs in Michigan, officially begins this year on Sunday, July 23 at 6 p.m. with the traditional Thurstons Gospel Sing in the Grandstand at 7:30 p.m.
That’s how the fun begins.
The fair, which officially swings into full gear Monday morning (July 24th), will offer a little of everything for the whole family, from harness racing, midway rides, 4-H livestock displays and shows, and agricultural exhibits, to grandstand shows and much, much more!
The Clare County Fair Board said they are pleased to announce that the Skerbeck Brothers Family Shows will once again be providing the Midway for the 2017 Clare County Fair.
The Midway opens at 5 p.m. Monday with ride specials, free shows daily, the Wild World of Animals, Gizmo the robot and Pirate Island. Tuesday through Friday the midway opens at 1 p.m. and it opens at noon on Saturday.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday special ride tickets will be available, sponsored by area businesses and the Fair Board of Directors. Monday is Witbeck’s Day, Tuesday and Thursday are Kid’s Days, Wednesday is Sunrise Stores Day, and Friday is Chemical Bank Day.
Weekly wrist bands for rides are available at the fair office.
The whole family will enjoy the free shows on the midway every day, Monday through Saturday.
The Wild World of Animals shows will be held on Monday Wednesday and Friday at 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and on Tuesday Thursday and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Pirate Island show times are at 3:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. on Monday Wednesday and Friday, and at 1:30 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 6:16 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
In addition to a midway full of rides and games and a variety of vendors, buildings filled with animals, beautiful crafts and homemade delicacies, many more grandstand events are planned for the fun filled week.
Grandstand events this year will include Sunday’s Gospel Sing; Monday’s 7 p.m. Concert by Country Star Granger Smith with Earl Dribbles Jr. and High Valley; Tuesday’s 7:30 p.m. USA Figure 8 Demolition Derby; Wednesday’s 7 p.m. SJO Productions Motocross; Thursday’s 7 p.m. Michigan Monster Truck Shotout; Friday’s 7 p.m. Mud Bog by Concerned Racers; and on Saturday evening it’s the Superkicker Rodeo featuring Bulls and Barrels with Dewayne Spaw at 7 p.m.
Harness Racing will be held on Thursday and Friday this year at noon .
Add to all that the traditional 4-H competitions for the best of the best, with dog obedience, small animals, sheep, swine, youth beef showmanship, saddle horse competition, giant draft horses in classes and the traditional award given to “Homemaker of the Year.”
For the second year, both the large and Small Animal auctions will be held on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. in the Livestock Arena.
Another popular Fair tradition is the annual bicycle giveaway. Bicycles will be awarded, two on Tuesday courtesy of Witbeck’s with sign-up beginning at 2 p.m. and the drawing at 5 p.m. On Thursday, Stephenson Wyman will provide two more bikes for the lucky winners. Sign up begins again at 2 p.m. and the drawing is at 5 p.m. Note winners must be present at the bicycle drawings.
As a special treat, there will be a beautiful Quilt Display in the Lions Building every day.
By Pat Maurer