The 2023 Marion County Fair is getting underway.
Exhibit building entries will be accepted from noon to six on Friday and again from nine to noon on Saturday.
The 4-H livestock shows highlight the day activities at the fair on Saturday. The swine show begins at eight, the dairy show at ten, the beef show at 10:30, the sheep show at five, and the goat show at 6:30.
Tammy Guidish, who heads the 4H program, says numbers are up.
“I think everybody is getting into their routines again. The past couple of years things have changed a bit but everyone is finding their groove again I think.”
The 4-H activities continue on Sunday with the Super Showmanship competition at 2:30 and the tractor driving competition at 3:30. Due to the extremely hot weather, there will be no farm Olympics this year. Instead, ten 4H clovers will be placed around the fairgrounds and 4H members can go on a scavenger hunt to find their location. The hunt can be done anytime during the fair week so the hottest time of the day can be avoided.
The Motocross Competition is the first grandstand event at seven Saturday night with Reserved Seats $12, General Admission $10, and Pit Passes $15. The start has been delayed for an hour due to the hot temperatures.
The Little Egypt Shows on the Midway also open on Saturday and continue through Saturday, August 5th. Every night is an armband night where you can ride all the rides you wish for $20 from six to ten pm. Individual ride tickets are $3.
Sunday grandstand events include the Draft Horse Pull at one. All tickets are $10. The Marion County talent show will be held at 5:30. All tickets are $5. Comedian Dale Jones entertains at 7:30 Sunday night. All tickets are $15. For the first time, the fair will have a fireworks display over the grandstand after the Dale Jones show.
Sunday is free parking day at the fair. The gate fee on other days of the fair is $2 per person.
