LIMA — Sing it with me: “It’s that time of season, it’s that time of year. The Allen County Fair is here.”
The 162nd Allen County Fair is set to kick off Friday and will continue through Aug. 25 at the Allen County Fairgrounds on the east side of town.
Here are some things you need to know before you go:
• Gate admission has increased by $1. Daily gate admission is now $7 for adults and free for children 8 years old and younger. Many other fairs in the area have increased prices, and fair officials felt they offered such a full slate of entertainment that they could do the same. Season passes are $30. The fair book has a $2-off coupon for daily gate admission.
• Poor Jack is bringing a brand new ride this year called the Freak Out. The company is offering three ride specials. Moonlight Madness is $19 and is 6 p.m. to close every day. Armband specials are either $12 or $14, depending on the day, from noon to 5 p.m.
• The tug-a-truck event is back, but it’s bringing a new event along. The rock climb challenge will allow drivers to maneuver their vehicles over rocks and obstacles. Check this out at 7 p.m. Aug. 21 at the grandstand. Cost is $5 for ages 6 and older. The tractor pull returns also, at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the grandstand. Cost is $8.
• Country musician Dierks Bentley will be in concert at 8 p.m. Aug. 25 with tickets starting at $29, and Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice will be in concert at 7 p.m. Aug. 24 with tickets at $33. Both concerts are at the grandstand.
• There are plenty of free events, including the gospel tent, Swifty Swine, Jungle Island Zoo, Buffo the World’s Strongest Clown, Elephant Encounter, Bear Hollow Wood Carvers, WAR Wrestling, Elvis impersonator Richie Crouch, Nashville Crush, Professor Paddywhack, and the Family Fun Zone. And let’s not forget the fun of walking through the barns and looking at the exhibits.
• Other favorite grandstand events are back, including the band show, baton and flag competition, cheerleading competition, demo derby and harness racing.
• Fair Manager Jay Begg is finishing his last fair this year. He will become an Allen County Commissioner next year. He has given 26 years to the fair, with nine years as a fair board member and 17 years as fair manager. Give him a “thank you” when you spot him.
See a full schedule and details on the Allen County Fair in a preview section published in The Lima News Thursday.
Allen County Fair highlights
Friday, OSU-Lima day
4 p.m.: Allen County Fair opens with a ribbon-cutting ceremony
7 p.m.: Kewpee Showcase of Bands, grandstand
Saturday, Maverick Media/Superior Federal Credit Union Day
9:45 a.m.: Parade, downtown
1 p.m.: Baton and flag corps competition, grandstand
7 p.m.: Cheerleading competition, grandstand
Aug. 19, Your Hometown Lima Stations Day
6 p.m.: Demo derby, grandstand
Aug. 20, Youth Day/Rays Supermarket Day
2 p.m.: Youth Day/DARE activities, behind gospel tent
6:30 p.m.: Truck and tractor pull, grandstand
Aug. 21, Pepsi Day
9 a.m.: Antique tractor pull, grandstand infield
7 p.m.: Truck Tug and Rock Climb Challenge, grandstand
Aug. 22, The Lima News/Convention & Visitors Bureau Day
7 p.m.: Harness racing, grandstand
Aug. 23, Senior Citizens Day/Kewpee Hamburgers Day
11 a.m./2 p.m.: Golden Age Day parties, gospel tent
6 p.m.: Junior Fair livestock auction, show arena (chickens, rabbits, goats)
7 p.m.: Harness racing, grandstand
Aug. 24, Veterans Day/The Union Bank Co. Day
9 a.m.: Junior Fair livestock auction, show arena (beef, dairy beef steers, milk, hogs, lambs)
7 p.m.: Victoria Justice, grandstand
Aug. 25, First Federal Bank Day
8 p.m.: Dierks Bentley with Jon Pardi, grandstand
Aug. 29
6:30 p.m.: Junior Fair carcass show, Keystone Meats
