The fair opens at 5 p.m. Friday with the flag raising. Judging of exhibits was today and results will be available when the fair opens.

The second-annual truck pull takes place at 6 p.m. Friday, with registration from 3 to 6 p.m.

“The truck pull is back and it was phenomenal last year, the number of people that were here for it. So we’re hoping it will be bigger than it was now that it’s established,” said Jessica Klump, fair manager.

The event has eight classes and a semi class; they could add a street class as well.

William Pestor shows off his best of show award with 2024 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs Kelsey Hendrickson at the 2024 Florence County Fair. This year's fair opens at 5 p.m. Friday and runs through Sunday. (Contributed photo)

“We have some others that are in the works. It depends on the interest,” she said.

“The truck pull last year, those who came and pulled on it, they were super happy with the quality of the track. Hopefully it will be bigger,” Klump said.

They had help preparing the track from the town and county crews and McLain Excavating. Ray Mills of Florence Hardwood donated use of the cement blocks that provide the barrier between the track and the spectators. One of their board members, John Kiszonas, donated clay for the track from his farm.

Entry fee is $30 per class and includes driver admission.

They’ve doubled the amount of obstacle courses and bounce houses from what they had last year on the fairgrounds and they’re free for kids to use with paid entry to the fair, she said.

Jake’s Jumpers of Green Bay, Wis., will be available from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Vickie & Dave’s Karaoke takes place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, with the the karaoke contest at 6:30 p.m. Karaoke resumes after the contest until 9 p.m.

There are special exhibit contests for people of all ages and contestants don’t have to be from the county to participate. The newest one is a reverse coloring contest, where the picture has color and the contestants draw the lines, she said.

They plan to have a type of scavenger hunt in which people can search for small plastic animals — ducks, cow, pigs — hidden throughout the fairgrounds. They are entries to get a chance to win free ice cream. They plan to hide more each day.

Gates will open at 10 a.m. Saturday for a full slate of events.

The ninth-annual mud bogs will start at noon, with registration from 7 to 10:30 p.m. to compete in 12 classes. Entry fee is $30 per class.

The event usually draws well, but she’s hoping the weather is not as hot as last year.

“It’s was in the 90s last year and it’s hard to sit out in the sun and watch something,” she said.

There will be Old Fashioned Kids Games at 2 p.m. and the Grandma’s Garden hands-on education area will be open.

The Wisconsin Arm Wrestling Club returns again with weigh-ins from 4 to 5 p.m. The kids and amateurs competitions begin at 5 p.m. and women’s and open competition at 7 p.m. Then men’s competition will start, followed by their Super Matches. Prizes will be given for first through third places.

Music on Saturday will be provided from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. by Group Therapy and from 7 to 11 p.m. by Next Myle.

The pony and draft horse pulls, which take place on Sunday, continue to be a popular attraction, she said. Last year eight teams took part in the pony pull, which will be at 1 p.m., and the draft horse pull, which begins at 3 p.m., drew seven or eight teams.

The classic car and motorcycle show is Sunday as well, with registration from 9 a.m. to noon and awards presented at 2 p.m.

The Northern Saddle Club will give a demonstration at 10:30 a.m. This is a new event, Klump said.

The country duo Lovin’ Country performs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and also between the pony and draft horse pulls. The fair closed at 4 p.m.

Food and refreshments will be available throughout the fair. Vendors will be on site and the exhibit building will be open each day.

Admission is $10 per day for ages 5 and older or $20 for the weekend. The fairgrounds are on County N south of Florence, Wis.

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Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.