The return of the fair

It’s that time of year again: the delighted cries of people on rides, the bells and whistles of games, the scent of deep-fried food wafting through the air and the excitement of the 4-H competitions.

From Saturday, July 19, to Saturday, July 26, the Monroe County Fair is returning to the Monroe County fairgrounds, 5700 W. Airport Road.

“We’re excited (and) busy getting ready for it right now; we’re working away nonstop! Everyone’s working hard to try to get everything ready to go,” David Smith, secretary of the fair board, said. 

The Monroe County Fair is considered one of the largest fairs in the state.  This year, the fair will offer over 30 events, with everything from a rodeo to a baby contest.

Each day, music fans can enjoy live local acts at the Shelby County LP Gas Free Stage. The Draper-Earles Auditorium will also offer a variety of events such as the Monroe County Queen Contest, a gospel choir concert and a performance by the winning band of Hoosier Country 105’s Fight for Fame contest (a competition where bands battle to perform at the fair).

Automobile aficionados can check out the fair’s newest edition – Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s car – courtesy of the National Guard. Also, a truck mud run, four-wheeler races, go-cart races, a truck demolition derby and two evenings of mini- and full-sized car demolition derbies are a few of the events that will take place.

One of the highlights and a fair tradition since the late 1960s is the two-day demolition derby that will take place on the nights of Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26. Most of the drivers participating in the derby are from Monroe County, Owen County, Greene County and Lawrence County, and even a few IU students and graduate students participate every year, Wally Hamilton the derby organizer said.

 “My favorite thing about the fair is the midway,” IU junior Chuck Corbin said. “My family and I go to the (Monroe County) Fair every year. It’s a lot of fun, and we always have a good time. There’s always something to see and do.”

And one traditional aspect of annual fairs that people look forward to is the food.
“We’ve got quite a variety of just about any (kind of food) that you would want to find at a fair,” John Holmes, concessions organizer of the fair board, said.

This year, a few of the dining options include barbecue, cinnamon rolls, ice cream, elephant ears, Chinese and tenderloin. Fair attendees also have the option of eating at Rosie’s Diner, which offers a full menu, he said.

All-inclusive armbands can be purchased on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday for $7. They include parking, unlimited rides and admittance to all of the shows and events offered that night. Weeklong passes can also be purchased for $10 until 4 p.m. Monday. Every other day, general admission is $2 per person.

 “Visitors tell us that we have one of the best county fairs in the state, and we work to put on a good clean fair with a variety of entertainment for the people who are coming,” Holmes said.