Published: July 04, 2009 11:26 pm      

Fountain Fair to open this week

VEEDERSBURG, Ind. — The Fountain County Fair is the one event that brings folks from all around the county together.

This year’s fair is no exception as town and country come together for the fair’s eight-day run starting Friday at the fair-grounds on U.S. Route 136 a mile west of Veedersburg.

“It is definitely a community-based fair,” said Amanda Smith, Fountain County extension educator. “We have made a big ordeal about how every one feels. It is probably the one thing that brings everyone together.”

While 4-H projects — whether they are livestock or otherwise — are the mainstay of the fair, the free entertainment and the dinner specials bring a lot of people to the fair. Some come out to eat; others come to visit.

“We have had a huge jump in rabbits this year,” Smith said. Other big 4-H projects are foods and photography.

More than 500 youths are registered in 4-H in Fountain County.

“The Fountain County Fair revolves around 4-H,” Smith said. “At the fair you can experience what Fountain County is all about.”

The Fountain County Fair features a lot of free entertainment, which replaces the carnival that is often a mainstay at fairs.

“We have tremendous entertainment for all ages,” Smith said.

Saturday night’s queen pageant will feature eight girls seeking to become this year’s fair queen.

The Little Miss and Mr. Contest and the baby contest are highlights on July 12, along with the Highway 341 band.

A wheat threshing demonstration on July 14 is a new feature this year.

“That is the only thing new,” Smith said. “Nothing else is significantly different.”

The 4-H council’s Jonah fish fry Saturday night draws the biggest crowd, but the Fountain County Extension Homemakers sponsor a chicken dinner on July 12 and a ham dinner on July 15, while the Fountain County Beef Cattleman’s Association features a beef supper on July 14.

Through the week Young Farmers sell pork burgers and the Cain Wildcats 4-H Club features sweet corn.

“I think the fair is neat,” said Hillary Macy, a 10-year 4-H member from Covington who is working as a summer intern in the extension office. “It is so much fun seeing everyone from all over the county.”

The Indiana State University student is looking forward to seeing friends she hasn’t seen for awhile, but she knows she will be busy in her new role with the extension office.

“The Fountain County Fair definitely is a friendly fair,” Smith said.