DICKINSON COUNTY FAIR Board President John Degenaer Jr. shows off the new entrance to the fairgrounds, one of several improvement projects done at the site in Norway. The letters were to be painted before the fair officially opens Thursday. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

NORWAY — “The Fun Continues” at the fairgrounds in Norway.

The 111th annual Dickinson County Fair officially opens at 4 p.m. Thursday and will continue its tradition of family entertainment through Labor Day on Monday.

“Everyone missed it last year,” said Dickinson County Fair Board President John Degenaer Jr., referring to the 2020 fair being canceled due to pandemic. “It’s something everyone enjoys.”

The fair board has been working hard in preparation for this year’s event, he said.

Degenaer has been in contact with the local health department on a weekly basis, noting there is no restrictions currently in place. They do ask fair-goers to try to social distance as much as possible and mask-up if in a large group indoors for their own safety. There will be hand sanitizing stations placed throughout the fairgrounds.

Only three entrance gates will be open this year, which was done in preparation if they did need to keep track of attendance numbers. “We are happy that isn’t the case,” he said.

The entertainment will continue, as in the past years, with the exception of only a few changes. There will be no cook-off or kid’s building workshop.

They have moved the youth market livestock auction to the covered horse arena, providing more room for spectators. A slide show will be done for all hogs, for disease prevention.

Wednesday evening is Preview Day, with some animal entries coming in and the Skerbeck Carnival up and running for early visitors.

Degenaer said barn animal entries are about the same, with small animal numbers up from past years. “We are getting to the point that we need to expand the area for our small animal entries,” he adds.

Thursday is Exhibitor Day, with the breeding livestock show scheduled from noon to 4:30 p.m. The carnival starting at 4 p.m. and continuing until the fair closes at 11 p.m. Ride armbands can be purchased for $25 each day. The exhibition building will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. as well.

Grandstand entertainment kicks off that night with Wumpa and local truck pulls.

Activities begin Friday — Youth Day — with youth and open dairy entries taken from 7 a.m. to noon.

Fairgoers can catch the popular tractor pulls at 10 a.m. in the grandstand.

Spectators also can check out the draft horse show and youth market livestock show, both starting at noon. The grand champions and reserve champions will be announced Friday evening.

The exhibition building will be open from 1 to 10 p.m., with the carnival to run from 1 p.m. to close.

The Demolition Derby, a crowd favorite, will start at 8 p.m. Friday in the grandstands.

On Saturday, Agriculture Day, the pony pulls begin at 10 a.m., with the open draft horse pulls to follow in the grandstand area.

The carnival will be open from 11 a.m. to close, as well as the exhibition building.

A horseshoe tournament begins at 1 p.m. at the courts near the top entrance.

Another fair highlight is the livestock auction to support area youth, set for 4 p.m. in the covered horse arena.

The free concert in the grandstand area is moving from country to rock this year, with Heart to Heartbreaker, a tribute band of rock ‘n’ roll females performing music from Heart and Pat Benatar. The local rock group, K Blitz will open, starting at 6 p.m.

Sunday is Race Day at the fair. The checkered flag drops at 4 p.m. for the annual Labor Day 100, sponsored by the Dickinson County Race Association.

“The board will present extra prizes for the fair champions,” Degenaer said.

The carnival will run from 11 a.m. to close, with the exhibition building open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Other Sunday events include the youth horse show at 9 a.m., fun dog show at 1 p.m. and horse speed events at 2 p.m.

Degenaer noted that all market sale animals will be released on Sunday morning. “This is a new rule, that they are only allowed to be housed for a maximum 72 hours,” he said. “After that time, pictures will be displayed in their booths.”

Senior Day is Monday at the fairgrounds. The 4-H Fun Horse show takes place at 9 a.m.

The carnival will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Rides will also be $1 per ride,” he said. “This was started during our anniversary event and has continued over.”

Visitors will be able to check out the exhibition building until 5 p.m., the official closing of the fair.

Professional log rollers from Minnesota return to the fair this year. They will put on three shows daily from Friday through Monday.

Also returning is the Whispering Pines Mobile Zoo. “This was very popular with the kids,” he said.

Everyone is also welcome to listen to Paula D in the Wally Bouchey pavilion from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and noon to 5 p.m. Monday.

The American Legion Post 50 is once again sponsoring bingo Thursday through Monday.

“We have moved bingo in the new office building,” he said, adding that the Friends of the Fair would like to try to run bingo on a weekly basis in the hall.

The fair board has also made several improvements to the grounds, including a new fence around the race track, a ramp for handicapped access added to the east end of the exhibition building and new entrance to the grounds.

“It was getting to the point that it outlived its time,” said Degenaer, adding a lot of volunteer hours were put it by the board to accomplish this.

He wanted to address a misunderstanding that was circulating regarding a letter that was sent to its food vendors.

“Several years ago — prior to COVID — the MEFE (Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions) put out a directive that the board ask vendors to consider adding a seating area, so people don’t have to walk around with their food,” he said. “At the time we felt we didn’t have the room, but with the circumstances being what they are now, we decided to send out the letters.”

He stressed this was only a suggestion and patrons will not be made to sit down to eat.

As with every outdoor event, the weather will determine how successful of a year they will have. “So far the forecast for the week looks in our favor,” he said.

Admission is $5 a day or $15 for the week. Ages 5 and younger are admitted free. All grandstand shows are free. Carry-ins will be restricted during the fair in the grandstand area.

Degenaer encourages everyone to come out and enjoy themselves, as they have done so in the past.