Ripley County 4-H Fair set for July 24-31
Fairgrounds gets face lift, new attractions
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

The bright lights of the midway, children laughing, calls of animals and thunder from the grandstands are all familiar sights and sounds at the Ripley County 4-H Fair that is scheduled to begin this Saturday, July 24, and run for one week.

Nearly 500 4-H'ers are scheduled to participate in the 2004 Ripley County 4-H Fair, with 106 Mini 4-H'ers signed on.

Renovations to fairgrounds park

Lots of organizations, people, and grants have made it possible to give the fairgrounds a whole new face lift, according to Darla Westerfeld, park manager.

"It's really exciting to see what is taking place," Westerfeld noted.
With grant money from the Gilmore and Golda Reynolds Foundation, the cattle barn received some needed work with rotted posts replaced with a concrete wall. The roof has also been painted, along with the roof of the homemakers building and the entire Farm Bureau building.

A lot of painting has been going on throughout the park thanks to a variety of people. John Gilbert of GNH Painters loaned some equipment and the rest rooms and track fence have been painted. New care takers have been hired at the park and Westerfeld said Vince and Krystal Simon are doing an exceptional job.
New picnic tables have been added thanks to a state recycling grant, which will also provide money for a bicycle rack, which is coming soon.

Westerfeld noted that dirt has been donated and used to fill in a swampy area by the back gate creating a "whole new park area." She noted that local girl scouts have planted flowers around the buildings and some boys working to obtain Eagle Scout status have ongoing projects making the fairgrounds better than ever. New RV hookups have been added this year as well.

Organizers of the 4-H Fair are proud of the grounds and buildings noting they are some of the best around. "We have a lot to be proud of here," noted LouAnn Menchhofer, Extension Educator 4-H/Youth CFS.

Parade to showcase 100 years of 4-H in Indiana

This year will mark the celebration of 100 years of 4-H in Indiana and many parade entries are expected to follow the theme. The third annual parade will be held at the grandstand on Sunday, July 25, and will begin at 5:00 p.m. with parade entrants lining up at 4:00 p.m. "Anyone can participate in the parade and are welcome," noted Westerfeld, who said six trophies will be awarded this year by Batesville Tool & Die. The Grand Marshals will be past and present military personnel who will be honored. Juanita Bauer will emcee the event.

What's new this year

New this year to the fair will be garden tractor pulling and remote control monster truck pulling and racing. S.I.T.P.I. Garden Tractor Pull will sponsor the event which will be held in front of the grandstands at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, July 26, following the baby contest. This group is not new to the fairgrounds itself and has performed for two years at the Ripley County Chamber Family Fun Night held on the Fourth of July weekend. For more information about rules and weight requirements you can contact Roger Teipen at 812-793-3798, Bobby Johnston at 812-591-0002, or Jamie Bradley at 812-689-4108.

On Friday night a first time event for fair goers will be remote control racing, which is set to take place on the free stage. Remote controlled monster trucks will be raced giving racing a whole new look. This is sponsored by Linville Signs and Hobbies, Batesville. For more information about this event call 812-932-0415.

Ribbon Cutting on Sunday

Sunday is the official grand opening day for the fair. Vesper services will take place from 4-5 p.m. in the show arena followed by the parade, then the ribbon cutting at 6:00 p.m. Also that night the fashion revue and style show will take place with entries being judged in front of the grandstand audience instead of a private showing as done in previous years. The 4-H Junior Leader King and Queen will be crowned and then the Ripley County Queen Contest will take place at the grandstand at 7:30 p.m.

Monday night will be the Baby Show at 5:00 p.m. at the grandstand with the price of $2.00 per entry and $3.00 to admit adults to the grandstand not changing from last year. Organizers of the event note this is for Ripley County residents only.
The grandstand will offer plenty of excitement each night with the lineup including garden tractor pull on Monday, quad/motorcycle motocross on Tuesday, demolition derby Wednesday, cycle and quad flat drags on Thursday, truck drag races on Friday and mud sling on Saturday.

Discount rides will be offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, for $12.00.

Of course there will be numerous displays by 4-H'ers and livestock to view with shows throughout the fair.

There is something for everyone at the fair and residents of Ripley County who are not member of the Homemakers Extension Club are welcome to participate in bringing exhibits such as prepared foods, food preservation, crafts, fine arts and needlepoint, to be judged. For more information about entering projects you can call the extension office at 689-6511.