The Warren County Fair is a mainstay here, but it’s not immune to a few changes. The 2016 Warren County Fair will start a week earlier than usual with the annual parade set for this Sunday at 4 …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
Attention subscribers
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous wesbite, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue
Need an account?
Print and web subscribers
If you're a print and web subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.
Online-only subscribers
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Non-subscribers
Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Fair parade this Sunday; Fair opens Tuesday
Posted
By Jimmy Potts,
Record Managing Editor
The Warren County Fair is a mainstay here, but it’s not immune to a few changes.The 2016 Warren County Fair will start a week earlier than usual with the annual parade set for this Sunday at 4 p.m. in downtown Warrenton.The Fair will run Tuesday, June 28, through Saturday, July 2.This year the parade will wrap up at Warrenton High School, a change Fair Board President Paul Owenby said participants will greatly welcome.“It’s easier for them to tear the floats down and things like that . . . It just made more sense,” Owenby said of the route change.“There are a few houses that way and it gives them more room so when they stop the parade they can disassemble,” he said.Another big change is the date of the Fair, which traditionally scheduled its fireworks show for Independence Day.Fair organizers will open the fairgrounds to the public Tuesday, June 28, with the market and breeding stock poultry show at 10 a.m., followed by the 4-H Livestock Judging at 4 p.m. and then the open fun horse show at 6 p.m.At 7 p.m. Tuesday, the Warren County Fair Queen Contest will take place. The Fair will wrap up with the 8 p.m. market hog show.Those looking for a more lively affair can partake in the carnival rides, which begin at 5 p.m., or take in live music in the upper beer garden, which begins at 6 p.m.Owenby said the change in date is the result of confusion with the carnival ride providers and the Fair Board.“We wanted to start it on the Fourth of July . . . but the way the Fourth fell out this year, we did not think it was going to help us or hurt us,” he said. “I think it’s a nice way to end the Fair with fireworks July 2.”On Wednesday, June 29, rabbits will take center stage with the annual 9 a.m. single fryer rabbit show, followed by the breeding and stock rabbit show at 10 a.m.The market lamb show will begin at 3 p.m., followed by the market goat show at 4 p.m. and the market steer show will begin at 6 p.m.Those looking for a bit more action can catch the BMX race at 6:30 p.m. and the Street, Stock, Pickups and Gas and Diesel Burn Pit Contest at 7 p.m.“We’re trying to make it better from year to year and it’s an uphill battle,” Owenby said. “We’re a nonprofit and we do not have surplus money.“The last couple of years we’ve gotten better as we get a closer grip on how things operate,” he said. “This is a new board and it’s turned around. We have the community behind us and it’s more fun for everyone.”Zip LineOne new attraction this year will be a zip-line attraction that will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday.Friday and Saturday also will feature knockerballs — a full-contact attraction where participants become human bumper cars, but suffer no injuries because of the air-filled ball that protects them.Thursday night will be half-price night for senior citizens. Although not likely to participate in knockerball, seniors can play bingo from 1 to 5 p.m., then catch the 5 p.m. Barrel Race or see Frank Stanek performing in the Lions Club Building at 5 p.m.Rides will remain open an additional hour Thursday night, running from 5 to 11 p.m.Thursday also will feature the annual livestock buyers dinner at 5 p.m., a 6:30 p.m. livestock trophy presentation and the 7 p.m. livestock auction.The auction raised a record-breaking $204,256 in 2015, a nearly $20,000 increase from the $186,196 record set in 2014.Although the auction will take place Thursday, shows will continue running through Friday and Saturday.The Jackpot Sheep Show will begin at 3 p.m. Friday, followed by the jackpot goat show at 4 p.m., then the jackpot steer show at 5 p.m. and the jackpot hog show at 6 p.m.Rides will run from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday and again from 6 to 11 p.m., but attendees may have to tear themselves away to catch the Gateway Tractor Pullers, who will perform at the annual 7 p.m. Truck and Tractor Pull, or catch the 7 p.m. Motocross Race.Saturday will be a day for everyone with the annual Baby Show taking place at 10 a.m. in the beer garden within eyeshot of the annual Warren County Rodeo, put on by the Ozark Rodeo Association.Those looking to get a more up-close look at local livestock can catch the Breeding Stock Beef Show at noon, the Breeding Stock Meat Goat Show at 1 p.m., the Breeding Stock Sheep Show at 1:30 p.m. and the 3 p.m. Jackpot Rabbit Show.A few Wight City citizens will defend their 2015 greased pig scramble championship against a group of employees from CertainTeed.The entertainment wraps up Saturday with the Wool Lead Line Show at 7 p.m., the Demo Derby at 7:30 p.m., which coincides with the annual Goat Costume Show at 7:30 p.m.The annual fireworks show will wrap up this year’s festivities Saturday evening, July 2. The potential for fireworks-related fires because of dried grass and rooftops after a recent heat wave had Owenby worried, but now the National Weather Service is forecasting rain for much of the week leading up to the Fair.Owenby urges visitors to dress light for the heat, but to have a good time at the fairgrounds.“We have these fairgrounds looking better than we have in years,” he said.
