Dickinson County Fair adds new items, keeps treasured traditions
(Terri Castelaz/Daily News photos) Brothers Brody Flesher, 8, and Colton Flesher, 10, of Norway get an early visit with the petting crew from the Whispering Pines Mobile Zoo at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds in Norway. The siblings were helping their grandfather at the fairgrounds on Tuesday.
Linda Wiese, left, volunteer, and Tami Pearl, baking superintendent, prepare Tuesday for the baking entries at the Dickinson County Fair.
(Terri Castelaz/Daily News photos) Brothers Brody Flesher, 8, and Colton Flesher, 10, of Norway get an early visit with the petting crew from the Whispering Pines Mobile Zoo at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds in Norway. The siblings were helping their grandfather at the fairgrounds on Tuesday.
Linda Wiese, left, volunteer, and Tami Pearl, baking superintendent, prepare Tuesday for the baking entries at the Dickinson County Fair.
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NORWAY -- The Norway fairgrounds are coming to life as they play host this week to a longtime tradition.
The 113th Dickinson County Fair officially opens at 5 p.m. Thursday and concludes at 5 p.m. Monday.
Along with the return of popular attractions, several new features have been added to the family-friendly entertainment line-up.
For the first time, the fair board in partnership with Skerbeck Family Carnival, will offer a "Quiet Fair" from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday for special needs and autistic children.
About 15 families will take part in the sensory-friendly event that includes carnival rides, games, food and a viewing of animals and displays.
"They will be able to enjoy all the activities in a quiet atmosphere with no lights or loud noises," Dickinson County Fair Board President John Degenaer Jr. said, adding the event is by invitation only and gates will be closed to the public during this time.
Those attending will also be presented with "Au-some Friends of the Fair" T-shirts. If successful, Degenaer said they would like to obtain sponsorship next year to be able to open it up to more participants.
"We hope they have the best day of their life," he said.
New as well this year will be a small animal auction. Chickens, turkeys, rabbits and eggs will go up for sale at 2 p.m. Saturday, just before the main livestock auction at 4 p.m.
"Other fairs have been doing it for a number of years," Degenaer said. "This also gets the younger kids involved in the program."
Youth exhibitors, he explained, start out raising small animals and work their way up to the larger animals, such as steers.
Degenaer encourages everyone to show support by attending the youth livestock shows and auction.
They currently have 340 small-animal entries, doubling last year's number.
"We have a decent number of other animal entries and only slightly down in the hog numbers," Degenaer said.
He also addressed concerns about swine flu. "We will bring in the hogs on Thursday and will be shipped out on Sunday morning," he said. "This is getting them in and out before the 72-hour incubation period."
The Comedy Farm Magic Review will join the midway schedule with three appearances daily. The comedian will perform a farm-themed magic show suitable for an audience of all ages.
In addition to the carnival, other midway activities include the return of the Lumberjack Show, Timber Art Wood Carving and Paula D.
"Most of the same vendors are back, along with a couple new," he said.
Fairgoers are to note the change of days for grandstand entertainment this year.
The Wumpa Truck Pulls are planned on Thursday night. "It looks to be a good show, as they will have a different eliminator, more trucks, along with Wumpa bringing in some modified trucks," he said.
The free concert, featuring 141 North and Runaway Train, will be Friday evening, with the Demolition Derby switching to Saturday.
"The demo guys feel they could draw more cars on Saturday," Degenaer said.
He also noted the Labor Day 100 Race pay-out winnings have increased due to the recent Auto Value races being canceled due to the weather.
"We are expecting this will draw more drivers for Sunday's race as well," he said.
The popular antique tractor pull is slated to begin at 10 a.m. Monday.
He encourages everyone to check the daily schedule for changes.
Last year's fair drew record-breaking attendance. "We were real close to 60,000 people -- we are looking to break that this year, as the weather forecast looks perfect," he said, adding other area fairs also had record seasons this summer.
With highs possibly reaching the 90s on Monday, the board may consider releasing the rest of the animals early.
The fair board has continued with fairground improvements, including new sound systems in the grandstands and rotunda, new cement platform and steps in the grandstands, a new cement walkway, along with other painting and repairs.
If funding allows, next year they aim to renovate the long exhibition hall and replace the blacktop pathways.
Degenaer has plans as well for a "memorial wall" in the upper portion of the rotunda that will feature former 4-H clubs and local farmers.
"Dickinson County can be totally proud of what they have -- we have a beautiful fairgrounds," Degenaer said. "It takes a lot of work."
Entry to the fair is $20 for the week or $6 per day per person, with free admission for ages 5 and younger. As in the past, all grandstand events are free with daily entry fee.
Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.