The 114th-annual fair officially opens in Norway at 5 p.m. Thursday and will conclude at 5 p.m. Monday.

The Dickinson County Fair Board, in partnership with Skerbeck Family Carnival, will again offer a “Quiet Fair” from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday for special needs and autistic children.

The board has opened it up to 50 people to take part in the sensory-friendly event that includes carnival rides, games, food and a viewing of animals and displays.

“During this time, kids will be able to participate in all the activities with no lights or loud noises,” Dickinson County Fair Board President John Degenaer Jr. said. “This year they will allow the bigger kids to go on the rides as well.”

Lucas Covell, a volunteer with Whispering Pines Mobile Zoo, feeds alligator Oscar while a prairie dog tries to get his attention in an adjacent cage. The mobile zoo returns with about 75 animals, including exotics such as the alligator and prairie dogs, large and small tortoises, fennec foxes, a ball python and red-tailed boa, and caracal and serval cats. Dickinson County Fair-goers can have a photograph taken with the young fennec foxes — a desert species that roams northern Africa and parts of the Middle East — for $10, or the python or alligator for $5. Covell said Oscar is a “calm alligator” that is easy to handle. (Betsy Bloom/Daily News photo)

The “Quiet Fair” is by invitation only and those interested can contact the fair office, as they have a few openings available.

Fair-goers can again expect great grandstand entertainment.

Wumpa Truck Pulls are coming back with its modified trucks Thursday to put on an exhibition show.

On Friday, the Diann Gendron Memorial Free Music Concert will feature the local popular bands Next Myle and The Descendants. The concert will run from 6 to 11 p.m. They will also have a 50-50 drawing.

The TNT Demolition Derby kicks off at 7 p.m. Saturday. Drivers will be admitted free this year, which is a change from past years.

The administration building at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds in Norway will be open under a new name to honor its board chair. The John Degenaer Jr. Administration Building received its new lettering this spring. Degenaer, who has helped lead the fair for 40 years, was instrumental in securing the metal structure and relocating it to the fairgrounds. The 2024 Dickinson County Fair opens at 5 p.m. Thursday and will close at 5 p.m. Monday.

“We hope to make it an even better show,” Degenaer said.

He explained that because last year’s Demolition Derby was such a huge hit on Saturday evening, they decided to continue with the change of day with the music concert.

The flag drops at 4 p.m. Sunday in the Labor Day 100 Race, sponsored by the Dickinson County Racing Association.

“Unfortunately they have been rained out a number of times this year, so we are hoping for great weather so they are able to crown their championships,” Degenaer said. “They put on a good show every year.”

The antique tractor pull is set to begin at 10 a.m. Monday.

Degenaer encouraged the community to come out and show support to the 4-H members by attending the youth livestock show and auction, and small animal auction.

“Young exhibitors work hard raising their animals each year for the fair,” he said, adding that market sale animal numbers are up in some divisions this year, with others slightly down.

A few new food vendors have been added, including Croatian Chicken. “They are pretty excited to be here after being away for a few years,” Degenaer said. “All the standbys are also back, we like their products and service.”

The Skerbeck Carnival will provide rides and games for kids and adults of all ages for the five-day event.

Presale carnival mega bands and daily wristbands can only be purchased online by going to the fair website at https://dickinsoncountyfair.com through today.

In addition to the carnival, other midway activities include the return of the Lumberjack Show, Rufus The Dufus and Paula D.

Everyone is also welcome to listen to Paula D in the Wally Bouchey pavilion from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday.

A vendor-filled exhibition building will be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday; 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday.

Degenaer said they are excited for spectators to come and enjoy the upgrades to the fairgrounds. “The asphalt walkway has been completed, now allowing for easy handicap accessibility,” he said, noting it has always been one of the board’s goals.

The board has purchased two motorized scooters that will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those interested in reserving a cart can contact the fair office.

“We have had several requests over the years, so we hope this works out for those that need them,” Degenaer added.

He explained that they have always been working on other improvements including new lights in the outdoor arena, painting and new sod in front of the administration office.

“It’s always a work in progress,” he said.

The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office will host a dunk tank from 12:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday as a fundraiser for the K-9 program. A schedule of the “guests” is posted on the department’s Facebook page.

Entry to the fair is $20 for the week or $6 per day per person, with free admission for ages 5 and younger. Monday’s admission is $1 per person. All grandstand shows are free with the entry fee.

“We encourage the community to come out and support the county fair,” Degenaer said. “It’s a great family event — something here for everybody.”

THURSDAY: Exhibitor Day

Fair entries, judging and activities

— 8:30 a.m.: Rabbit judging starts

— Noon to 4:30 p.m.: Breeding livestock show

— 4 to 10 p.m.: Exhibition building open

— 4 p.m.: Still exhibit judging expected to conclude

— Performance by Meyer Farm Belgian Draft Horse Hitch, to be announced

Midway and grandstand events

— 3 to 4 p.m.: Quiet Fair (by invitation only, not open to the public)

— 4 to 11 p.m.: Carnival opens, bracelet night

— 5 p.m.: Fair official opening

— 3 to 10 p.m.: Bingo

— 6 p.m.: WUMPA and Local Truck Pull

FRIDAY: Youth Day

Fair entries, judging and activities

— 6 to 9 a.m.: Swine entries

— 7 a.m. to noon: All youth and open dairy entries

— 8:30 a.m.: Poultry judging starts

— 8:30 a.m.: Judging (except those listed)

— Noon: Youth market livestock show (beef, swine, sheep and goats)

— 1 to 10 p.m.: Exhibition building open

— 1:30 p.m.: Draft horse show

Midway and grandstand events

— 1 to 10 p.m.: Bingo

— 1 to 11 p.m.: Carnival opens, bracelet day

— 1, 3 and 5 p.m.: Rufus The Dufus

— 2, 4 and 6 p.m.: Lumberjack Show

— 6 to 11 p.m.: Diann Gendron Memorial free music concert, featuring Next Myle The Descendants (50-50 drawing during event)

SATURDAY: Agriculture Day

Fair entries, judging and activities

— 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.: Exhibition building open

— 11 a.m.: Dairy judging

— 11 a.m.; Horseshoe Pitch, singles and doubles

— 3 p.m.: Small animal auction

— Following small animal, about 4 p.m.: Youth livestock auction

Midway and grandstand events

— 9 a.m. to noon: Home Depot (The Kids’ Building Workshop)

— 11 a.m.: Pony Pull

— Noon to 6 p.m.: Paula D (Wally Bouchey pavilion)

— 1 p.m.: Open Draft Horse Pulls featuring performance by Meyer Farms Belgians

— 1 to 11 p.m.: Carnival opens

— 1 to 10 p.m.: Bingo

— 1, 3 and 5 p.m.: Rufus The Dufus

— 2, 4 and 6 p.m.: Lumberjack Show

— 7 p.m.: Demolition Derby

SUNDAY: Race Day

Fair entries, judging and activities

— 9 a.m.: Pleasure horse show

— 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.: Exhibition building open

— Noon: Horse speed events, or at the conclusion of the horse show

Midway and grandstand events

— Noon to 6 p.m.: Paula D (Wally Bouchey pavilion)

— 12:30 to 7 p.m., Sheriff’s dunk tank.

— 1, 3 and 5 p.m.: Rufus The Dufus

— 1 to 10 p.m.: Bingo

— 1 to 11 p.m.: Carnival opens

— 2, 4 and 6 p.m.: Lumberjack Show

— 4 p.m.: Labor Day “100” Race (Presented by the Dickinson County Racing Association)

MONDAY: Senior Day

Fair entries, judging and activities

— 8 a.m.: Dickinson County 4-H Council Fun Horse Show registration

— 9 a.m.: Dickinson County 4-H Council Fun Horse Show

— 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Exhibition building open

— 5 p.m.: Exhibits released

Midway and grandstand events

— 10 a.m.: Tractor pulls

— 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Paula D (Wally Bouchey pavilion)

— Noon to 5 p.m.: Carnival opens, rides are $1.25 each

— Noon, 2 and 4 p.m.: Lumberjack Show

— 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.: Rufus The Dufus

— 1 to 5 p.m.: Bingo

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.