Jasper County Fair kicks off tonight

The 149th edition of the Jasper County Fair kicks off tonight with dogs, cats and music. The fair offers a wide variety of activities for all ages, with some new components this year. The 4-H Dog Show and the Cat Show will be held this evening at 5 p.m., dogs in the pavilion and cats in the small animal barn. Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m. The open class cat show will follow the 4-H Cat Show. Then, get ready to rock with the Likely Suspects at 8 p.m. On Saturday, the cattle and hogs begin arriving, and the horse halter and performance classes begin showing at 10 a.m. in the west arena, and a tractor pull begins at 10 a.m. on the west track. Open class entries will be accepted from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. this evening and on Saturday until noon. Judging will begin at noon. On Sunday, chainsaw artist Jeff Klatt will be performing on the grounds. His artwork will be auctioned on Monday. Don’t miss the 4-H and FFA Llama show in the pavilion beginning at 1 p.m. The Poultry Show also begins at 1 p.m. in the small animal barn. Air games will be available on the grounds and the pedal pull contest will begin at 2 p.m. with weigh-ins at 1:30 east of the vendor building. A dance recital will be held at 4 p.m. in the Big Tent, followed by the free supper at 5:30. On Sunday and Monday, a Pioneer Living Display will be in the vendor building. The evening closes with the Ag Olympics at 6 p.m. and don’t miss the fireworks on the grounds at dusk. On Monday, the event everyone anticipates all year long, the Jasper County Fair Parade will begin at 7 p.m., following the usual route. Fair Board president Rhonda Guy said she expected the parade to be even longer than usual. Following the parade, Highway Home will be in concert, and special guest, Ronald McDonald will be on the fairgrounds. All historical societies in Jasper County will have displays in the open class building, and Prairie City 2007 Storm Art will be on display as well. The wood carver’s art will be auctioned in the pavilion at 9 p.m. Diamond Jakes will be offering tethered hot air balloon rides following the parade as well. On Tuesday, the Swine Show will start at 8 a.m., the open horse show at 5 p.m., and a horseshoe pitching contest at 6 p.m. Fashion Revue and Clothing Selection starts at 7 p.m. The 4-H and FFA Plus One Market Calf show starts at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in the pavilion, followed by the Market Beef and Breeding Beef shows. The 4-H Rabbit Show will start at 1 p.m. The Farm Bureau’s Watermelon Feed will be at 3:30 p.m. and the ever popular Bucket/Bottle Calf show will start at 6 p.m. Also on Wednesday evening, don’t miss the comedy and antics of Toby Kidd, providing fun for the whole family. The day will conclude with the talent show at the Big Tent at 6:30 p.m. On Thursday, the Meat Goat Show will start at 8 a.m. in the pavilion, and the Advanced Cattle Feeder Show will start at 9 a.m. in the Colfax Sales Barn. The Dairy Show will begin at 10 a.m., with the Livestock Auction slated for 5:30 p.m. The teen dance in the 4-H Exhibit Building will close out the fair at 9 p.m.