KIDS PARTICIPATE IN the tug of war competition at the 2017 Florence County Fair in Florence, Wis. The 2018 event opens Friday and runs through Sunday. (Submitted photo)

FLORENCE, Wis. — Florence County promises “A Fair to Remember” this weekend.

The 2018 fair opens at noon Friday and will continue to 5 p.m. Sunday.

“For just a small county, we are jam-packed with activities, events and entertainment for the whole family,” Florence County Fair Executive Director Jessica Klumpp said. “We try to have something appealing for everyone at all times – kinda like a three-ring circus.”

Klumpp said many of the local favorites are coming back, as well as a few new additions.

Entertainment highlights returning include the U.P. Garden Tractor Pullers Pull, Mud Bog, Horse Pull and live music.

“We also brought back magician Jim Lenz and his Air-Powered Rocket Workshop, who was a hit at past fairs,” Klumpp said. “Kids can also enjoy the large inflatable rides.”

They also will hand out door prizes to the children that participate in the kids activities.

Friday kicks off at 1 p.m. with Senior Citizen Day. The public can browse the booths that highlight different services in the local communities geared towards seniors. Many booths will give coupons to seniors for free food and beverages at the fair. Bingo also will begin at 3 p.m.

The official fair opening ceremony will be 5:30 p.m., followed by special recognition of the St. Vincent de Paul of Florence volunteers.

Taking place on the side stage will be the crowning of the Fairest of the Fair and Junior Fairest of the Fair at 5:45 p.m.

Always a large crowd draw, the Garden Tractor Pulls featuring the U.P. Garden Tractor Pullers will begin at 6 p.m. on the mud track. Last year’s attendance was double, “if not tripled,” Klumpp said.

Live music also is popular with fair-goers. Friday will feature Jesse McPherson at 6 p.m., followed by local band Next Myle from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Saturday, the mud begins to fly at noon at the third annual Mud Bog. Those interested in participating can register from 7 to 10:30 a.m.

“Something new this year,” Klumpp said, “is the $6,500 payout.”

Another new twist to an annual fixture at the fair, the tea party — the “Incredible Superhero Fairest of the Fair Tea Party” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the exhibit building — “is not just for the girls,” Klumpp said. “Boys are welcome to join in as a superhero.”

Other kids’ activities Saturday include Air-Powered Rocket Workshops, magic shows and strolling magic with magician Jim Lenz, kids’ cookie decorating, coin scramble, Hoop-a-pa-looza, old-fashioned hands-on kids’ games, cricket-spitting contest and more.

Inflatable attractions also will be available for an additional charge, Klumpp said.

Saturday’s musical entertainment lineup has the Horizon band at 1 p.m., karaoke with Eric and Jen at 4 p.m. and closes out the night with The Cadillacs from 7 to 11 p.m.

Sunday begins at 9 a.m. with a Speed Horse Show to benefit the Silver Spurs 4-H Club.

Registration for the Classic Car and Motorcycle Show will be 9 a.m. to noon, with awards handed out at 2 p.m.

Kids’ activities continue Sunday with magic shows and strolling magic with magician Jim Lenz, as well as some old-fashioned hands-on games.

The Draft Horse Pull starts at 3 p.m.

Lovin’ Country will take stage from noon to 3 p.m. All exhibits are released at 5 p.m. and must be picked up by 7 p.m. Sunday.

Klumpp notes that Thursday is a working day at the fair, but not one open to the public.

“All exhibits are judged and displays are created, which 12 to 15 hours to make this happen,” she said. “We ask that exhibitors and the general public wait until Friday to view exhibits.”

Admission is $5 per person for ages 13 and older, free for those age 12 and younger. The Florence County fairgrounds are at 5505 County Highway N, about a third of a mile south of U.S. 2 in Florence.

2018 Florence County Fair

FRIDAY

11 a.m.: Exhibit displays open to the public, exhibit building

1 p.m.: Senior Citizen Day information booths and sponsor booths on display, exhibit building

3 to 5 p.m.: Bingo, exhibit building

5 to 8 p.m.: Grandma’s Garden open, tents near playground

5:30 p.m.: Opening ceremony, followed by St. Vincent de Paul volunteer recognition ceremony, flag pole and side stage

5:45 p.m.: Fairest of the Fair and Junior Fairest of the Fair crowning, side stage

6 p.m.: Garden Tractor Pull featuring U.P. Garden Tractor Pullers in front of mud track

6 to 8 p.m.: Music by Jessie McPherson, side stage

8 p.m.: Pong!, no preregistration required, side stage

8 p.m. to midnight: Music by the Next Myle, main stage

SATURDAY

7 to 10:30 a.m.: Mud Bog registration at pits/south entrance

10 to 11:30 a.m.: Incredible Superhero Fairest of the Fair Tea Party, exhibit building

11 a.m.: Comedy Magic Show with Magician Jim Lenz, entertainment tent

11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Inflatable rides

Noon: Mud Bog! at the mud track

Noon to 5 p.m.: Grandma’s Garden open, tents near playground

12:30 p.m.: Kids cookie decorating, exhibit building

1 p.m.: Air Powered Rocket Workshop, entertainment tent

1:30 p.m.: Coin scramble, center of fairgrounds

1 to 4 p.m.: Music by Horizon Band, main stage

2 p.m.: Bunny Bingo drawing, side stage

2 p.m.: Hands-on old-fashioned kids’ games, immediately after the penny scramble, center of fairgrounds

3 p.m.: Comedy Magic Show with magician Jim Lenz, entertainment tent

4 p.m.: Hoop-a-Palooza Hula Hooping with Sparkles, aka Alicia G, entertainment tent

4 to 7 p.m.: Karaoke with Eric and Jen, side stage

5 p.m.: Maple Syrup contest people’s choice judging preliminaries, entertainment tent

5 p.m.: Kids Cricket Spitting Contest registration, exhibit hall

5 to 6 p.m.: Strolling Magic with Magician Jim Lenz

5:30 p.m.: Kids Cricket Spitting Contest, exhibit hall

6 p.m.: Air Powered Rocket Workshop with Magician Jim Lenz, entertainment tent

8 p.m.: Bunny Bingo drawing, side stage

8 p.m.: Pong!, no preregistration required, side stage

8 p.m. to midnight: Music by The Cadillacs, main stage

SUNDAY

7 a.m.: Registration for Horse Show, Brewer Building

8 a.m.: Warm-up for Horse Show, arena

9 a.m.: Speed Horse Show, arena

9 a.m. to noon: Classic Car and Motorcycle Show, tent on the soccer field

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Strolling Magic with Magician Jim Lenz

Noon to 3 p.m.: Grandma’s Garden open, tents near playground

Noon to 3 p.m.: Music by Lovin’ Country, main stage

2 p.m.: Comedy Magic Show with Magician Jim Lenz, entertainment tent

1 p.m.: Hands-on old fashioned kids games, center of fairgrounds

2 p.m.: Classic Car and Motorcycle Show awards, tent on soccer field

2:30 p.m.: Maple Syrup Contest, people’s choice judging finals, entertainment tent

3 p.m.: Draft Horse Pull, arena

5 p.m.: Closing ceremony

5 p.m.: Exhibit release, must be picked up by 7 p.m.