For the first 13 years of its existence, the Eaton County 4-H Fair took place just outside the Charlotte City Limits. That all changed 150 years ago when the Fair took up permanent residence at the Eaton County Fairgrounds.
To commemorate the event, the Eaton County Fairboard will be joined by local dignitaries Monday, July 9 for a special ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the 2018 Eaton County 4-H Fair. The excitement though, will begin long before any scissor’s blade finds cloth.
Grandstand shows begin Friday, July 6 with harness horse racing, which continues at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 7. The annual horse pulls take place Saturday afternoon, beginning at 4 p.m.
The Fair Board is excited to announce its newest grandstand event, the Super Kicker Rodeo, which takes place Sunday, July 8 at 7 p.m. Country music entertainer DeWayne Spaw kicks off a week’s worth of shows prior to the Rodeo, at 6:30 p.m. Spaw will perform Sunday through Tuesday evening, and Thursday through Saturday, July 12-14.
Elliott’s Amusements returns with its host of rides guaranteed to thrill and excite, and games ready to challenge even the most skilled on the midway. Rides open Monday, July 9 at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Jul 10 at 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 11 at 3 p.m., Thursday, July 12 at noon for toddler day, Friday, July 13 at 3 p.m. and Saturday, July 14 at noon.
The 4-H rings are being filled by eager youth anticipating the opportunity to showcase the hard work they’ve put in raising their livestock. Livestock exhibits get into full swing on Monday, beginning with swine showmanship at 8:30 a.m. The goat show begins at 9 a.m., followed by the Horse/Pony Pee Wee and Proud Eqestrians at 1 p.m.
Monday is also Veterans, Active Duty Military and Emergency Services Personnel Day, along with Eaton County Farm Bureau Day. Monster trucks will dominate the grandstands Monday, with a pit party planned for 6 p.m. and the Monster Truck show beginning at 7 p.m.
4-H horse and pony classes start the day off on Tuesday, July 10 at 9 a.m. Rabbit showmanship and breed classes also begin at 9 a.m. The dairy market show takes place at 9 a.m. Beef showmanship, breeding cattle, market classes and feeder and club herds take the ring beginning at 4:30 p.m. Sheep lead classes and the decorative class begin at 6 p.m.
The grandstands feature the TNT Demolition Derby Tuesday evening, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday is also Kids Day, with rides for the little ones beginning at 2 p.m. Senior citizens also receive free gate admission Tuesday for Senior Citizens Day. Special events geared toward area senior citizens will take place at Kardell Hall between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The horse and pony classes, dairy showmanship, sheep showmanship, and poultry showmanship all kick off a busy day in the 4-H rings on Wednesday, beginning at 9 a.m.
STO Motorsports presents a thrilling evening of motocross racing in the grandstands, beginning with practice at 5 p.m. and competitions at 7 p.m.
Rides open at noon on Thursday, July 12 for Toddler’s Day (children 6 and younger). Toddler armbands are just $5 from noon to 2 p.m.
The horse and cattle arenas open for competition at 9 a.m. The big market livestock sale begins at 10 a.m. in the Wawiernia Pavilion.
Thursday is the also the first of two nights of truck and tractor pulls in the grandstands. Beginning at 7 p.m., Heavy Super Stock, Light Pro Stock, 2-Wheel Drive, Diesel Pickup, and Mini Mods will take the infield. The truck and tractor pulls return Friday, July 14 with Heavy Super Stock, Modified, Super Farm Stock, and 4-Wheel Drive Pickup competitions, also beginning at 7 p.m.
Cloverbud competitions take place throughout the day Friday in the 4-H arenas.
Saturday, July 15 is kids day starting at noon. Large and small animal showmanship sweepstakes round, and the small animal sale help round out 4-H activities for the week.
The week of activity concludes Saturday evening with another new event, the non-livestock exhibit auction, which takes place at 5 p.m.
The final night of grandstand entertainment features mud bogging by W. Michigan Mud Runs, beginning at 6 p.m.
For more information, visit www.EatonCountyFair.com.
