The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

Local News

Discussion

July 4, 2009

Fountain Fair to open this week

BY DENNIS BARTLOW

VEEDERSBURG, Ind. — The Fountain County Fair is the one event that brings folks from all around the county together.

This year’s fair is no exception as town and country come together for the fair’s eight-day run starting Friday at the fair-grounds on U.S. Route 136 a mile west of Veedersburg.

“It is definitely a community-based fair,” said Amanda Smith, Fountain County extension educator. “We have made a big ordeal about how every one feels. It is probably the one thing that brings everyone together.”

While 4-H projects — whether they are livestock or otherwise — are the mainstay of the fair, the free entertainment and the dinner specials bring a lot of people to the fair. Some come out to eat; others come to visit.

“We have had a huge jump in rabbits this year,” Smith said. Other big 4-H projects are foods and photography.

More than 500 youths are registered in 4-H in Fountain County.

“The Fountain County Fair revolves around 4-H,” Smith said. “At the fair you can experience what Fountain County is all about.”

The Fountain County Fair features a lot of free entertainment, which replaces the carnival that is often a mainstay at fairs.

“We have tremendous entertainment for all ages,” Smith said.

Saturday night’s queen pageant will feature eight girls seeking to become this year’s fair queen.

The Little Miss and Mr. Contest and the baby contest are highlights on July 12, along with the Highway 341 band.

A wheat threshing demonstration on July 14 is a new feature this year.

“That is the only thing new,” Smith said. “Nothing else is significantly different.”

The 4-H council’s Jonah fish fry Saturday night draws the biggest crowd, but the Fountain County Extension Homemakers sponsor a chicken dinner on July 12 and a ham dinner on July 15, while the Fountain County Beef Cattleman’s Association features a beef supper on July 14.

Through the week Young Farmers sell pork burgers and the Cain Wildcats 4-H Club features sweet corn.

“I think the fair is neat,” said Hillary Macy, a 10-year 4-H member from Covington who is working as a summer intern in the extension office. “It is so much fun seeing everyone from all over the county.”

The Indiana State University student is looking forward to seeing friends she hasn’t seen for awhile, but she knows she will be busy in her new role with the extension office.

“The Fountain County Fair definitely is a friendly fair,” Smith said.

Text Only
Local News
  • Tropical Storm Beryl strengthens, nears U.S. coast

    Tropical Storm Beryl was wrecking some Memorial Day weekend plans on Sunday, causing shoreline campers to pack up and head inland and leading to the cancellation of some events as the storm approached the southeastern U.S.

    May 27, 2012

  • CASA seeks volunteers

    May 27, 2012

  • Classes transition online

    May 27, 2012

  • AmyandRomanSchweizer1.jpg Dad welcomes baby — while a world away

    Like most fathers, Brandun Schweizer wanted to witness his first child’s birth. There was just one problem, however — he was thousands of miles away in Afghanistan.

    May 27, 2012 2 Photos

  • Veterans ask people to pause

    Although the Memorial Day weekend is a time for picnics and pool parties, veterans’ groups hope people pause to remember those who gave their lives in the line of duty, as well as others who have died.

    May 27, 2012

  • Martha Stewart learns family’s roots

    Television viewers have been treated to two series lately dealing with genealogy.

    May 27, 2012

  • Haiti touches her heart Haiti touches her heart

    Janis Ostiguy of Danville experiences many emotions each time she visits Haiti — sadness at the poverty, happiness with the children, warmth for the people and their spirit.

    May 27, 2012 3 Photos

  • Turtles return to race

    Collected turtles are being fed fruits, meat and vegetables and will be ready to go for the 48th Annual Turtle Races.

    May 27, 2012

  • Hiker’s heart is in America's Highlands

    Robert Burns, the immortal Scottish poet, once wrote, “My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here; my heart’s in the Highlands, a’chasing the wild deer; a’chasing the wild deer, and following the roe; my heart’s in the Highlands, wherever I go.”

    May 27, 2012

  • Posters recall Cannon’s 1880 opponent Posters recall Cannon’s 1880 opponent

    In 1980, John Mendenhall found three 1880 J. R. Scott campaign posters in a home he was restoring.

    May 27, 2012 1 Photo