Carrie Nelson is back as fair manager and she’s putting her whole heart into organizing the event. Despite the long hours, she says “it comes together in the end every year.”

Each year they try to make improvements at the fairgrounds. This year, they added some new fencing. And they are always looking for volunteers, especially in the ticket booth and selling beer tickets.

Entry Day is from noon to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Nelson is trying to encourage people to do pre-entry to make it less busy on entry day.

The carnival is open Thursday through Sunday. They have an arts and crafts sale all day Thursday through Saturday. Antique farm equipment will also be on display each day of the fair.

Carrie Nelson, Iron County Fair manager, works at her desk in her office at the fairgrounds. Entry day is Wednesday for this year’s fair.

Another new change is the number and variety of food venders. This includes include the 4-H booth, Seven Embers Coffee, Banaltras, Bougie Bevs, La Catrina Mexican Food, Bump’s Burgers, Amasa Sawblade Bar & Grill, Two Dips and an Ice Cream Truck, Simply Paradise, and S & J Italian Beef and Chicago Dogs.

“Bringing in more food will make people happier. Those of us who spend our whole time entire Wednesday through Sunday up here, it’s nice to have a variety,” Nelson said.

On Thursday, there is open class exhibit judging all day. Senior citizens will be honored with a lunch at noon in the bandstand. Music will be provided by Soundz of Time from noon to 3 p.m.

“They’ve been here on Sundays previously,” Nelson said.

The Miss Iron County Queen contestants will give their speeches at 4:30 p.m. in the bandstand. There are four candidates for the contest, which will be at 7 p.m. in the rotunda. The candidates are Grace House, 16; Wynter Weeks, 16; Mady Rivard, 16; and Amirah Gorman, 17.

Other events that night in the rotunda include a kids coin scramble at 6 p.m. and the Friend of the Fair award, which will be presented at 6:30 p.m.

Three days of horse events are planned starting Thursday with horse fun night at 4 p.m. in the horse arena. Horse speed events start at 9 a.m. Saturday and the open class horse show starts at 9 a.m. Sunday.

Belt buckles, donated by Highway 2 Animal Clinic, will be awarded for high point in junior and senior categories for both Saturday and Sunday horse performances.

Open class judging continues all day on Friday. At 9 a.m. livestock judging starts with market animal judging beginning at 1 p.m. Nelson said this year they have nine steers, 28 hogs and 13 lambs entered. The market livestock auction takes place at 6 p.m.

“That’s a lot of animals. It’s beautiful. We look forward to that every year — the kids do especially,” she said.

The fifth annual Mud Bogs start at 5 p.m. Friday on the old practice field with registration from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children six to 12. Children five and under are admitted free.

The Down on the Farm lunch will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the rotunda. Laura’s Lyrics provides music from 1 to 4 p.m. in the bandstand. At 2 p.m. the annual kiddie demolition derby for children ages three to eight, takes place in the rotunda. The event is sponsored by Bump’s Burgers.

The regular demolition derby, sponsored by Good Ol’ Boys promotions, will be at 6 p.m. in the grandstand. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children six to 12, and free for children five and under.

“I’m hoping to see it as big as it was last year. It was amazing, even though it was raining. Demo drivers and fans are very into what they are doing. They are dedicated to the demo,” she said.

The final day of the fair starts with the annual Loggers/Farmers breakfast at 8 a.m. Sunday. Rabbit showmanship is at 10 a.m. in the rotunda, followed at 1 p.m. by the annual backseat driver and tricycle races.

At 3 p.m. they will host their annual raffle drawing.

“Our raffle this year has 31 prizes, of which all of their value is over $100 per prize. They get to choose their prize, like we did last year,” Nelson said.

All fair entries are released at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Parking passes are $5 per day or $10 for the weekend.

“I’m hoping that next year is even going to be a little bit bigger,” Nelson said of the fair.

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