Since the first Monroe County Fair took place 160 years ago in October 1855, it has been relocated several times. After a brief hiatus due to the Civil War, it was held in what is today known as Dunn Meadow. It later moved to the courthouse square, and then IU’s fieldhouse, before finally settling into the current fairgrounds by the airport on the west side of town.
The girls mostly wear button-down shirts, rhinestone-embellished jeans held up with equally shiny belts and cowgirl boots. The boys are dressed in boots, large belt buckles and plaid shirts.
Adults lounge in chairs, catching up with friends, as the children and teenagers clean the stalls, hose down horses, brush pigs and feed goats. The work teaches them responsibility, one mother explained.
Most attendees gather around the main ring where the livestock competitions take place. Squealing pink pigs are ushered around the enclosure under the watchful eyes of the judge and the reigning Miss Monroe County, Hannah Rinnert.
They’re judged on their bone structure, the amount of body fat they have, their cleanliness and behavior, among other factors. One contestant said she spends an hour or two each day walking her pig so it’s in shape for the competition.
The stalls of the horses are elaborately decorated to match this year’s theme. Giant cows munch hay under painted signs with names like Hershey, Fergie and Peanut.
The pigs are unnamed for the most part. One woman described her fear that her son was too sensitive to handle his pig being turned into bacon.
Along with seeing the livestock, fairgoers are treated to classic fair food like corn dogs, funnel cakes, lemon shake-ups and corn on the cob dripping with butter. Roger Taylor, the treasurer for the Indian Creek Lion’s Club, said they typically sell 60 dozen ears a day during the week. On their best night they sold 82 dozen ears.
The fair, which began Saturday, will continue through Aug. 1.
The highlights for Monday include a talent show, a pedal tractor pull and the first showing of Welde’s Big Bear Show during which a real bear will perform.
Cowabunga will take place Tuesday. During this event, people can place bets on certain areas of ground and if a cow poops in that area, they win money. There will also be hog wrestling matches.
The strawberry baking contest will take place Thursday, along with the championship rodeo.
By Friday, most of the animals will have been sold, taken to the state fair or taken home, but the Demolition Derby will provide more than enough entertainment. Competitors enter cars they don’t want anymore. They then crash the cars into one another until only one remains.
