Three discount ride nights offered
REMC brings glow to 4-H fair
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

"It's very colorful, really impressive," noted Marianne Wiggers of Southeastern IN REMC, as she described a first time attraction coming to the Ripley County 4-H Fair on Sunday, July 24, the Touchstone Energy hot air balloon.

The balloon will burst with color as the gases are blown into it, creating a glow. The same balloon has been at Coney Island as part of the massive balloon show for the past four years and thanks to officials at Southeastern IN REMC, it will be enjoyed at the fair for the first time.

Touted as 'Touchstone Energy Day at the Fair' Sunday those attending will be parking for free thanks to REMC. This is also something new for the Ripley County Fair. Again on Friday night, July 29, parking will be free thanks to REMC, and other businesses including Osgood Primary Care, Linville Signs & Hobbies, Friendship State Bank, Ripley County Chamber, Letts Hardware & Equipment, Laughery Valley Ag Co-op, and the C.I. Family Worship Center.

Julie Brancamp, Ripley County Parks & Recreation manager, noted that bringing free parking to fair goers is something they are working on and hope to get sponsors for every night in the future.

Sunday - On the official kick off day of the fair, Vesper Services will begin at 4:00 p.m. with Grace Abounds performing. A presentation for the 4-H Endowment Program will be made by members of the fair board. This new endeavor will provide scholarships to Ripley County 4-H'ers.

The annual parade will begin in the Town of Osgood at 5:00 p.m. and wind its way through the streets to end up in the fairgrounds. Then at 6:00 p.m. the official grand opening of the 2005 Ripley County 4-H Fair will commence with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the free stage, which will be located in the central area of the park near Shelter #2.

Crowning of this year's Queen and court will follow. The 4-H Junior Leader Ambassadors will then be named. Free Stage events will continue with the 4-H Fashion Revue. The evening will conclude with a truck and tractor pull at the grandstand that is sponsored by the Osgood Lions Club. This is the first time for the pull on opening night. For more information contact Kevin Menchhofer at 812-756-0158.

This year there will be three discount ride nights - Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, July 25, 27, and 30. On these nights a wristband can be purchased for $15.00 allowing that person to ride all the rides that evening for one price.

According to LouAnn Menchhofer, extension educator 4-H/youth, CFS, they are expecting over 1000 4-H projects to come in on Saturday, July 23. These exhibits will be set up for the public to view in Buildings 14 and 15. She noted there are 500 regular 4-H'ers and about 100 mini
4-H'ers in the program.

Monday - The annual Baby Show will be held in the Show Arena beginning at 5:00 p.m. with registration beginning for the first categories at 3:30 p.m. Motocross Races will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the grandstand. For more information on the event contact Terry Eaglin at 689-1046.
Tuesday - The Ripley County Homemakers Extension Club will be having a bake sale beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Building #10. The proceeds will go to fund scholarships for 4-H'ers. The Open Class exhibits will also be open for viewing that afternoon and there will be no admission charge.

National Pedal Pullers and Racers event will take place at the grandstand at 6:30 p.m. with registration at 5:30 p.m. This is a first time event for the 4-H fair with all age groups being included. For more information call Robert Vestal at 812-689-5917. Monster RC Truck Pull will be at the Free Stage at 8:00 p.m. Call 812-932-0415 for more information.

Wednesday - This will be Gospel Night, with live entertainment at 6:30 p.m. at the Free Stage. Demolition Derby will be at 7:30 p.m. at the grandstand. For more information on the derby event call 812-871-7728.

Thursday - Battle of the Bands will be going on at the Free Stage at 6:00 p.m. Call Chuck Folz for more information at 689-3592. Cycles & Quads Flat Drags will take place at the grandstand at 7:00 p.m.
Friday - There will be live entertainment at the Free Stage at 6:30 p.m. with Truck Drag Races beinning at 7:30 p.m. at the grandstand. Call Steve Wilhoit at 689-3499 for information.

Saturday - The 4-H Awards Program will be held at the Free Stage at 8:00 p.m. The grandstand will rock with excitement with the Mud Sling at 7:30 p.m. Call Steve Wilhoit at 689-3499. 4-H and mini exhibits will be released between 9 and 10:00 p.m.

"After the week of the fair, the grounds are sort of deserted by Sunday evening," noted Menchhofer. This year that will be different. Batesville's WRBI Radio will be sponsoring Stock Car Races at the grandstand at 6:30 p.m. You can contact Terry Eaglin at 689-1046 for more information on the event.

This year results from the fair will be posted on the extension's website at: www.ces.purdue.edu/Ripley. Menchhofer noted these will be posted as quickly as possible.

Upgrades at the Fairground Park in Osgood, coupled with efforts to bring new attractions to the 4-H fair are sure to make an already popular event even more attractive. More information will be published in upcoming issues of the Osgood Journal and The Versailles Republican with a full schedule of events.

Officials who work together to bring various attractions to the 4-H Fair in Ripley County say there is truly something for everyone, every age at this year's event. Don't miss out on the action beginning Saturday, July 23, and concluding Sunday, July 31.

"This year the fair promises to bring all the things people have come to expect and new attractions that will be an added bonus," concluded Menchhofer.