ADRIAN – Rides, entertainment, animal shows, 4-H exhibits and, of course, plenty of fried fair food options are on the way for people of all ages to enjoy as the longest-running fair in Michigan holds that mark for another year. .
The Lenawee County Fair will recognize its 183rd week-long event beginning Sunday, July 24th and continuing through July 30th. Much of the fair itinerary takes place at the Lenawee County Fairgrounds and Events Center, 602 N. Dean St., Adrian. The annual Lenawee County Fair parade begins Sunday at 1 p.m.
Neil’s Towing & Automotive Service Inc. of Tecumseh is this year’s parade sponsor, and the parade’s grand marshal is Marty Chrisman, a longtime fair board member, volunteer and 4-H secretary of 30 years.
Line up for the parade takes place before 1 p.m. at College and Michigan avenues, according to Melinda Stubli, secretary of the Lenawee County Fair Board. No prior registration is required to participate in the parade. The public is welcome to be part of the parade and “help start the week of the fair with a ticket to the parade,” Stubli said.
The parade will move from College and Michigan avenues to Maumee Street and then head down Maumee to the fairgrounds on North Dean Street.
Those with questions can contact Stubli at 517-215-1366.
The theme of this year’s fair is “Red, White and Blue: This one’s for you!”
“Themes are an important part of the fair each year, and we feel this theme truly reflects what our county fair is all about,” said first-year Lenawee County Fair Board President Aaron Hindu. “We love America and the freedoms we have in this country, which allows us to come together every year and celebrate the fair with our community and each other.”
Hinde, who grew up with the Lenawee County Fair and was heavily involved with the fair as a child, said it has been a big challenge to bring a fun and exciting fair to the community.
“I love giving back to the community,” she said. “I grew up with this fair and was a 4-H’er myself. If I think about the things I did as a child, going to the fair was one of the things I liked the most. Now I have five daughters and they love this fair too. If they’re not excited about Christmas, they’re excited about fair week.”
Hinde said each day of the fair gives the community a chance to come together and support each other.
“Every day is going to be a fun day,” he said. “There will be no dull days at the fair.”
A complete schedule of events for each day of the Lenawee County Fair can be found at www.lenfair.com. The fair office will have extended hours during the week of the fair to better serve the needs of the event, according to the website. Fair hours will be 8:00am to 11:00pm Sunday to Saturday with plenty of entertainment packed into each day.
Big Rock Amusements will once again offer midway rides and attractions, with all rides and attractions starting at 5pm on Tuesday, July 26. There will be no midway offerings on Sunday and Monday, but there will be bouncy houses for children at the fairgrounds. to enjoy. Average hours from Wednesday to Saturday open at 2 pm and continue until evening.
General admission to the fair, for ages 10 and up, has increased this year, from $5 to $7 per ticket. Children 9 and under are free. Seniors Day will be on Tuesday, July 26, and all seniors 65 and older will enter the fair for free on that day.
Veterans Day at the fair is Wednesday, July 27, and all veterans plus one guest will enter the fairgrounds for free that day. The veterans program and free lunch are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at the bandstand. Active military personnel with ID will be able to enter the fairgrounds free of charge throughout the week.
Sunday is Queen’s Day with the queen’s pageant and meeting scheduled for 7:30 pm in the band. Thursday is children’s day. Friday is the day of the Ag, and Saturday is the day of the trader.
The newest addition to the fair’s entertainment, Hinde said, is Thursday’s grandstand headliner, “Bodacious Moves and Big Hair at the Fair, ’80s Dance Party,” which starts at 7:30 p.m. All other grandstand events, which Hinde said are quite familiar from recent years, begin at 7 p.m. each day.
“The tractors are always a crowd pleaser on Sunday night at the fair,” he said. “The demolition derby is always a great time, and in my opinion, it’s one of the best demolition derbies I’ve ever seen.”
Familiar food vendors are expected to return to the fair, with some new and unique options, too, Hinde said. For the first time in a long time, he added, the fair should be “up to snuff” with many registered 4-H participants.
“The fair is built on the promise of growth, future leaders and providing an experience that brings the community together,” Hinde said. “By building strong relationships with local businesses, we bring the best of Lenawee County and continue to work year after year to ensure everyone’s experience at the fair is great.”
