FAIR FESTIVITIES

The Monroe County Fair festivities continue this week with an array of events in which Monroe County residents can participate. Although the fair's main focus is to "support and promote 4-H," as described by the Monroe County Fair Office Manager Bobbie Partenheimer, it provides many other events that draw more than 100,000 people each year. \nParticipants come from all over Monroe County to show many animals, including chickens, rabbits, dairy, beef and swine. There is a showcase competition for each animal, in which a grand champion and first, second and third places are selected. The grand champion then goes on to the State Fair, Aug. 6-17 in Indianapolis. \nThe annual Queen Contest generates the most excitement from the fairgoers, and perhaps the most anxiety from its participants. This year's queen, Jennifer Laird, is a Bloomington High School South student who has been a 4-H member for the last nine years. Laird became involved in 4-H at age eight through the recommendations of friends. \n"I heard everyone was involved in very interesting projects, and I just knew it was something I wanted to do" she said. \nOther than showcasing her swine, Laird said her favorite part about the fair is "the atmosphere in general." She expressed her anxieties about the Queen's Contest process, which includes a "nerve-racking" four-minute interview with a panel of three judges. The Interview, Professional Wear and Evening Wear competitions are the three components on which the candidates are judged. \nAt the end of the Evening Wear competition, the queen is crowned. Laird said her original reaction to being crowned the new queen was amazement and disbelief. \n"It was so exciting," she said. "I was really honored."\nIn addition to the Queen's Contest and 4-H events, there are a wide variety of other events available throughout the week. \nMegan Holmes, an incoming Purdue freshman, said her favorite activity is the demolition derby. \n"A bunch of cars crashing into each other until one finally can't run," she said. "It's like bumper cars, but way more fun." \nThe demolition derby will take place at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. \nThe carnival component of the fair, which rivals Bloomington's annual Fun Frolic in size and variety of rides, is also a major draw for the fair. The carnival includes many basic games for younger children, as well as larger theme park-style rides. \nAlthough Holmes acknowledges that the carnival is there, "mostly kids only go to the carnival side," she said. \nOne of the most popular fair events is the Baby Contest, Partenheimer said. The children are placed in different age categories and vie for prizes in different contests. Although the infants are so young they are unaware of their participation in the contest, the parents willingly enter them in the contest just to have a good time.\nAdditional activities that have attracted and continue to attract thousands of people to the fairgrounds this year include the rodeo tonight at 8 p.m., local musician Shelia Stevens, who will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, the Open Mic competition at noon today and the Pedal Tractor Pull, which will hold its championship at 6 p.m. Saturday.