The upcoming Warren County Fair will include a shortened week and a decrease in ticket prices. The Fair will begin Tuesday, July 5, and conclude Saturday, July 9. The Sunday opening night has been eliminated, said Fair Board President Mike Eckhoff, but the parade will continue to serve as the kickoff to the event. The theme for the 62nd annual Fair is “A Slice of Heaven in 2011.” The Fair will continue to have some of the same popular nightly entertainment as in the past, such as the demolition derby, lawnmower derby and rodeo. But Eckhoff said one of the biggest changes is moving the greased pig contest to the main stage area as a primetime attraction and splitting the truck and tractor pull into two nights. Following the parade on Tuesday, July 5, which is scheduled to start at 6 p.m., the queen pageant will take place at 8 p.m. The parade route will be the same as last year, starting at Black Hawk Middle School and ending at the high school. The remainder of the week’s schedule includes the greased pig contest and lawn mower derby on Wednesday, demolition derby Thursday, truck pull and rodeo Friday, and tractor pull and rodeo Saturday. Eckhoff said the truck pull will be open to the public for a $20 fee. The livestock buyers auction also has been moved back a day. It will be held Friday, July 8, this year. In addition, Eckhoff said the Fair Board is continuing to finalize more activities throughout the week. He said local bands will be a featured in the beer garden area nightly. He also said the board has been tinkering with the schedule compared to past years to keep expenses down as members try to overcome a shakey financial situation. “We’re trying to make it better for everybody and see if the changes work,” he said. “Hopefully it will pay off.” Also new this year, livestock animals don’t have to be dropped off at the fairgrounds until Wednesday morning, Eckhoff said. That should reduce the amount of nights FFA and 4-H students camp overnight. “That should benefit them,” Eckhoff said. For the third straight year, carnival rides are included in the paid admission. The fee for the opening day is $8 and increases to $10 Wednesday and $12 Thursday. For Friday and Saturday, the fee is $15. Children 5 and under will be admitted free. In the past, the daily admission ranged from $12 to $18 for adults (13 and over) and $8 to $12 for children (ages 4-12). “We’re trying to keep (the price) down,” Eckhoff said. Time remains for fairgoers to purchase season passes at a discount. Season passes cost $30 until April 1, he said, when the price jumps to $40. Passes can be purchased at MFA in Truesdale, First State Community Bank, Warrenton Tire and Muffler and Goin’ Postal, all located in Warrenton; George’s Barber Shop in Wright City; or by calling Eckhoff at 636-432-9366. There is still time for queen contestants to enter. To be eligible, a contestant must be between 17 and under 20 and live in Warren County. So far 12 girls have signed up, though Eckhoff hopes to have 20 contestants overall.