The farm animals are being shown, the carnival rides are inspected, and the Oreos are being deep-fried. That’s right, the Allen County Fair is in full swing.

Kicking off June 18, the celebration of farm life, deep-fried food, carnival rides, live music, and monster trucks runs through Sunday, June 23, at Allen County Fairgrounds.

Along with all the fun, the fair is also celebrating a milestone at the Carroll Road site. 

“We are excited to celebrate 35 years of the Allen County Fair at our permanent home at the Allen County Fairgrounds,” board member Michelle Love said. “Of course the Allen County Fair has a longer history than that. However, it’s great to celebrate this milestone alongside the Allen County Bicentennial.”

Choose your day

Like every year, the draw to the county fair is different for each attendee. 

“There’s truly something for everyone this year, not matter your age or your interests,” Love said. “We are bringing back our favorites like the hot air balloons, demolition derby, classic car cruise-in, touch-a-truck, carnival rides, and fair food. 

“We are adding back ‘Throne Racing,’ which is team outhouse races, a garden tractor pull, and a full line-up of local music artists on our free stage.”

Following Ag Day and Enjoy the Arts Day, Thursday, June 20, brings us Kids Day, with activities kicking off at 10 a.m. At that time, you there will be free kids activities and games, crafts, balloon art, and face-painting. There will be a Wild Animal Show at 1 p.m. and free rides from Peg Perego at 3 p.m. 

Along with children’s activities, there will be a pizza-eating contest at 4 p.m., pony rides from 4-9 p.m., and monster truck rides from 5-10 p.m. There will also be a free ice cream social at 7 p.m. 

The hot air balloons take to the air at 7:30 p.m. with the Hot Air Balloon Glow set for 9:30 p.m. Grace Scott will be performing music from 7-10 p.m. 

Things only heat up as the weekend approaches on Friday, June 21, when car aficionados check out the Classic Car Cruise-In at 4 p.m., while OK Boomer Band take the stage from 5-9:30 p.m. There will also be the Farmer Olympics at 7 p.m. and the 4×4 truck pull at 7:30 p.m. 

On Saturday, June 22, garden tractors get the chance to pull things at 10 a.m. HomeBy10 will perform from 7-10 p.m., and the car demolition derby will be at 7:30 p.m.

Things close out on Sunday with Deeja performing at 11 a.m. and the fair coming to a close at 5 p.m.

Don’t forget the animals

Along with the mentioned items, each day will feature chainsaw carvings, the carnival rides, antique tractor displays, and, of course, cows, sheep, goats, chickens, llamas, and more that were raised by 4-H members on display and being shown to judges.

“What I love about the Allen County Fair and what I think makes us stand apart from other area festivals is that you can get up close and personal with 4-H animals and can really witness the talent of our youth by strolling through the exhibit building,” Love said.

After 5 p.m., admission is $5 on Thursday and Sunday and $10 on Friday and Saturday, although you will get in free on Sunday with the donation of five or more non-perishable food items. Service members also get free entry that day. 

Children 5 and under get in free each day.

There will also be free tractor shuttles available during the fair since road construction in the area could add some time to your trip.

“I’d also be doing a disservice to the community if I didn’t mention that improvements and road construction have started on Carroll Road — the main entrance to the fairgrounds,” Love said. “While the road will be open during the fair, patrons should expect some delays. We ask people to be patient.”