Menomonie — The Dunn County Fair is turning up the charm this summer with the debut of its Planter/Container Decorating Contest, bringing bursts of color and creativity to the fairgrounds.
Local organizations have been invited to craft festive, themed planters inspired by this year’s theme: “Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights,” said Deb Gotlibson, President of the Dunn County Fair Board.
The fair returns this year on Wednesday, July 23, and concludes on Sunday, July 27. Since 1885, the residents of Dunn County and western Wisconsin have been able to enjoy the Dunn County Fair in July.
Scattered throughout the grounds this year, the planters will serve not only as eye-catching decor but as a celebration of community spirit, Gotlibson said.
“Adding the planter contest is a simple idea with a big impact,” Gotlibson said. “It creates a welcoming visual experience while showcasing the creativity of groups across Dunn County.”
Participating organizations can use anything they want for the container and will receive a $20 donation for their participation. Judging takes place Tuesday afternoon, July 22. The planters then will be distributed among the fairgrounds, and the organizations can retrieve them after the fair.
Gotlibson also said she is excited that a petting zoo, replete with a bearded dragon, will be back at the zoo. It will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
“It will be an assortment of animals, and they will switch them out as needed so the animals get a break,” she said.
Admission remains at $5 for the day or $15 for season. Children six and under are free, as is parking.
“You can come here and get a lot of fun for just $5,” Gotlibson said.
The usual popular fixtures such as the grandstand entertainment and midway rides are back.
Spectrum Carnival is providing rides on the midway. An economical way to purchase ride tickets is through either the Mega Pass Ride Armband ($90 in advance or $110 at the ticket booth) for the 40 hours of riding at the fair, or the Daily Unlimited Ride Wristband for $25 in advance and $35 at the ticket booth. All rides are $2 on Thursday.
The acts at the iHeart Media Stage are HGT Band, 6 p.m., Wednesday July 23; Boots & Bling, 6 p.m., Thursday, July 24; Tucker Baker Band, 7 p.m., Friday July 25; Bear Creek Band, 7 p.m. Saturday, July 26; and The Memories Gospel Show, noon, Dunn County 4-H Awards Ceremony, 1 p.m., and The Memories Variety Show, 2:30 p.m., Sunday, July 27.
Red Cedar Races will be held at the grandstand at 7 p.m. July 24 and July 25, while the National Tractor Pullers Association Regional National Tractor Pull will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 26. Gotlibson said she has dropped the prices for the national tractor pull to allow more people to attend. A demolition derby will be held at 3 p.m. July 27.
Summer Showdown beef judging will be at 1 p.m., Friday, July 25. The popular meat animal auction will be held at 5 p.m. July 26, and the Little Britches Show will be held at 10 a.m. July 27.
As for that ever-popular fair food, Gotlibson said, “We have at least one new food vendor. We have some great fair food here.”
Volunteers are always needed to help with the fair, Gotlibson said. She encouraged people to visit the website at dunncountyfair.org for details and for forms to enter the various judging classes.
Source: News Release