Like many annual traditions, the Warren County Fair was put on a reluctant hiatus last year, with reorganized livestock shows and 4-H/FFA project displays as the only activity at the otherwise quiet fairgrounds. This year, organizers plan to have the fair emerge from its COVID hibernation and return for a week of much-desired activity.

Fair week activities begin on Sunday, July 4 with the Warren County Fair Parade. That evening at 7:30 p.m. will be the Warren County Fair Queen show and coronation.

Monday that week is a day for preparation and check-in for livestock exhibitors at the fairgrounds, and livestock shows begin in earnest on Tuesday. Classic fair entertainment, music and rides will be at the fairgrounds Wednesday through Saturday, including paid entry.

“We’re trying to get back to what was once normal,” commented fair board President Paul Owenby. “I think everybody’s looking forward to getting back to having the fair and community events.”

As in years past, the fair parade will be open to any participants, with no pre-registration required. Floats will gather at the west end of Main Street in Warrenton at 2 p.m., with the parade beginning at 4 p.m. The route will travel east along Main Street/Highway M and turn south on Pinckney Street to the Warrenton High School.

Fireworks are also back this year, closing out fair week with a display at the fairgrounds Saturday evening, July 10.

Vehicular events in the fairgrounds’ main arena will be scheduled Wednesday through Saturday, with a demolition derby on Saturday evening. Horse shows and rodeo events are also scheduled for the same four days.

The biggest kid-oriented entertainment day at the fair will be Saturday, with a baby contest in the morning, plus kids’ games, pedal tractor pull and greased pig scramble later in the day, Owenby said.

Although fair organizers are hoping for a return to form this year, Owenby explained that two concessions had to be made for financial concerns. He said that not having any fair income last year had constrained the fair organization’s budget.

The first big change is that carnival rides and special events will be hosted for four days instead of five.

“We backed it off a day to see how it affects things,” Owenby commented, saying the fair board is angling to draw the same total turnout across fewer days. “Looking at the local economy, it seems like there’s only so much money that people are going to spend at the fair. If you’re only going to draw so much in, it might be better to have it over four days, instead of five.”

Owenby added that a different carnival provider will be serving the fair this year, meaning a different mix of rides and attractions could be available.

The other concession made by fair organizers this year is that although there will be live music performances in the beer garden pavilion, there won’t be a main stage musical act this year.

“We’re not quite geared up financially to risk any big name entertainment yet. It’s pretty pricey to do that, and last year was rough with no income whatsoever,” Owenby said.

The livestock shows at the county fair will return to their usual schedule, with animals in the livestock pavilion starting Monday, 4-H and FFA exhibitions on Tuesday and Wednesday, leading up to a livestock auction on Thursday evening, July 8. Livestock show co-coordinator Brenda Molitor said the youth exhibitors are excited to have all the animals in the pavilion for all of fair week.

“Everybody will be back in the barn again, back to normal,” Molitor commented. “Camping will be available for the exhibitors. That’s always fun for kids, to spend the whole week up there.”

A variety of livestock activities for younger kids will also return this year on Friday, July 9, including the popular animal costume contest. Open-participation jackpot shows are on Saturday.

New this year is a Friday competition called “The Greatest Showman.” Molitor described it as a chance for adults 21 years and older to show the kids how it’s done and display their own animal showing skills. The Greatest Showman competition is being organized by the Warren County 4-H Teen Leaders committee.