Trimmed down fair to start Saturday

A condensed Marion County Fair will be taking place next week, while the Marion County Junior Fair is going on as scheduled.

Wearing of masks is encouraged, but will not be enforced, said fair organizer Michele Hopson, adding social distancing is also being encouraged.

“All event organizers are working very hard to follow the Missouri Health Department and CDC guidelines,” she said. “We encourage everyone to wear masks.

“Many of your favorite food vendors will be there following the same guidelines and are looking forward to seeing you,” Hopson added.

The fair will kick off Saturday with the parade, which starts at 10 a.m. and runs from south Main Street through downtown.

On Saturday afternoon, the car show will take place at 2 p.m. near the Flower City Park tennis courts.

Saturday evening will see the Tate Shade Memorial Bull-Bash in the arena.

Missing from Saturday are the Marion County queen contest as well as the junior miss contests and the Knights of Columbus barbecue.

Besides the 4-H interview judging and setting up of the Sesquicentennial Building for the junior fair Sunday, the annual Church Night at the Fair will be held on the Talent Stage, starting at 7 p.m.

Livestock set-up for the 4-H and FFA members will be held on Monday with shows kicking off on Tuesday, when the horse show will be held in the horse arena beginning at 4 p.m.

The annual 4-H Clover Kids show will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Also Tuesday will be the North River Old Iron Club garden tractor pull at 5:30 p.m. and tractor pull at 6:30 p.m.

The pee wee goat and sheep shows will be held Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 1:30 p.m. with the 4-Wheeler races starting at 8 p.m. in the arena.

Also Wednesday, the 4-H/FFA poultry show will begin at 9 a.m. while the rabbit show will begin at 4 p.m. The goat show is slated to begin at 3 p.m. and sheep show at 5 p.m.

Thursday’s 4-H/FFA events will begin with the bacon judging at 9 a.m., followed by the  swine show at 4 p.m. and the country cured ham judging at 5:30 p.m. 

Beginning at 7 p.m. will be the pedal powered tractor pull on the Talent Stage, while the Super Cross Race begins at 8 p.m. in the arena.

The 4-H/FFA beef show will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday with the pee wee calf show starting at 1:30 p.m.

The Jaycees Demolition Derby begins at 7:30 p.m. in the arena.

The final day of the fair, Aug. 8, will have the antique tractor poker run starting at 8 a.m.  

The 4-H/FFA livestock sale beginning at 9 a.m., following the presentation at awards.

The horseshoe tournament will begin at noon with tractor games held by Well Lake starting at 1 p.m.

The Palmyra Young Farmers Super Pull will cap off the fair with that event starting at 7 p.m.

The carnival will open on Tuesday and run the rest of the week from 6 to 10 p.m.

In addition, admission to the fair this year will be a free-will donation with proceeds benefitting the Palmyra Elementary School.