Rides are back and the Oconto County Youth Fair is on

The rides are back, and so is the fun of the Oconto County Youth Fair, Aug. 15-18.

For a variety of reasons, the familiar midway and rides were not part of the festivities in Gillett’s Zippel Park last August. This year the Fair Board has contracted with Tri State Amusement to provide a carnival at the fair.

Tri-State Carnival Mega-Bands, wristbands that allow unlimited rides all Thursday-Sunday, have been on sale before the Fair for $45 at the Peshtigo National Bank branches in Gillett and Oconto Falls. They will be available at the fair for $50.

In addition, four-hour wristbands can be obtained for $20 from 6-10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The spotlight is on youth and their accomplishments, of course, and fair activities were expanded to a second weekend several years ago. The annual horse show was scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 10, and Sunday saw the caged bird, small pet, cat and dog competitions.

As this special section is released, Wednesday, Aug. 14, the exhibition buildings are bustling with activity. The day before the fair brings all of the non-animal junior class exhibits, which are judged upon entry. It’s also check-in night for sheep, swine and goats.

It all comes together Thursday. The exhibition area is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The rest of the critters are checked in during the day on Thursday, beginning with the market steer from 7-9 a.m., poultry and rabbits from 1-8 p.m., and junior and open class dairy 2-8 p.m.

The fair’s official opening ceremony and flag raising is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, conducted by the combined county veterans organizations.

The 4-H and FFA youth who have been working with their animals all year will be in the spotlight during a number of special events the next three days:

Friday

Swine show – 8:30 a.m. in the Swine, Goat and Sheep Barn

Rabbit show – 9 a.m. in the Rabbit/Poultry Barn

Sheep show – 11 a.m. in the Swine, Goat and Sheep Barn

Beef show – 1:30 p.m. in the Show Ring

Rabbit Kiddie Showmanship – 4 p.m. in the Rabbit/Poultry Barn

Saturday

Dairy Show – 8:30 a.m.

Poultry show – 9 a.m. in the Rabbit/Poultry Barn

Goat show – 3 p.m.

Poultry Kiddie Showmanship – 4 p.m. in the Rabbit/Poultry Barn

Exhibitor/Animal Formal Show – 7 p.m. in the Show Ring

Sunday

Kiddie Showmanship – 10 a.m. in the Show Ring

Sale of Champions Auction – noon in the Show Ring (bidder registration 11 a.m. to noon in Honey Park)

Other features of the 2019 Oconto County Youth Fair include a flea market and craft sale from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and farm tours starting at 12:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Then there’s the entertainment:

The power of big machines and huge beasts will be tested in front of the Grandstand this weekend at the Oconto County Youth Fair.

The NEW Motorsports 4x4 Truck Pull is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, and a Farm Tractor Pull is planned at 5 p.m. Saturday.

At 9 a.m. Saturday, the annual Draft Horse Pull competition is scheduled. Having the Oconto County Fair on the same weekend as the UP Michigan State Fair and the Brown County Fair attracts pullers and teams from all over the Midwest to compete at all three events.

Meanwhile, several well-known area entertainers are on the fair’s free music schedule this year at the Budweiser Stage.

Bob and Missy Tucker and Friends will entertain from 6:30 p.m. to midnight Friday, playing country, rhythm & blues, and classic rock.

The Sugarbush Boys will be in town from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday on the Budweiser Stage, playing play Czech-style polka music along with a mixture of classic country, big band, and golden oldies.

The Sundowners Band is scheduled to perform 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday.

An outdoor church service is planned at 10 a.m. Sunday with music by Thurmont Ridge and Tim Fifield.

Chad Pryzyblski and his Polka Rhythms drop by from 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

A karaoke contest is part of Buck Beer Night with Positive Energy from 7 p.m. to midnight Thursday.