Cottonwood County Fair begins Tuesday

Talk about it

WINDOM — Bring on the Bassmeister, the bull riders and the bands.

The Cottonwood County Fair, slated to run Tuesday through Sunday at the fairgrounds in northern Windom, will offer visitors old fair favorites and “quite a few new events,” said Sally Larson, the secretary on the fair committee.

“There are new things going to happen with the Demolition Derby; They’re going to have a T-shirt throw and candy toss,” she said.

This year’s fair will also feature comedian/sports columnist The Bassmeister with several performances of his comedy show “Fishing for Laughs” on Thursday and Friday.

“There’ll be music pretty much … on all sides (of the grounds),” Larson added. “We’ll have The Callens Family. They were here two years ago. They’re very good. They do everything from country … to gospel. Last time they were here, the 4-year-old played the fiddle.”

The family will perform 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the arena. On Friday, returning live band Mark & Len will also perform.

Other highlights include the Extreme Bull riders Friday and a talent competition Saturday, both at 7:30 p.m. in the arena.

For the kids — or other aspiring musicians — there will be Wii, Guitar Hero and Rock Band with 17-foot screens at dusk on Friday and Saturday behind the 4-H food stand with Pro Cup Cars and a rock climbing wall nearby.

The Cosmo Kid, who will showcase his talents on Saturday and Sunday, is expected to be another draw, Larson said.

“He’s an amazing spray paint artist,” she said. “He’ll take nothing and make it into something absolutely beautiful.”

Members of 4-H will also have a variety of shows and events throughout the week. Crystal Reith, the 4-H program coordinator, said the group’s food stand will also offer something new: a brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.

She’s hoping folks will stop by to see the efforts of their local 4-H’ers.

“I think the kids spend a lot of time on their projects so I just want to encourage all the community members to come out.”

Here’s a more detailed look at the week’s activities:

Tuesday:

9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 4-H general judging, 4-H Exhibit Building

Wednesday:

9 a.m., 4-H Horse Show

10 a.m. 4-H food stand opens

5 p.m., Carnival opens

5:30 p.m., 4-H Dog Show, Bus Barn

6:45 p.m. Demolition Derby

Thursday:

7:30 a.m. 4-H food stand opens

8 a.m. 4-H Poultry Show, Commercial Sheep Building

10:45 a.m. 4-H Dairy Show

Noon Open class judging: needlework, clothing, artwork, Vossen Building; FFA and open class horticulture, crops, mechanical judging, Vossen Building

12:30 p.m., 4-H Rabbit Show, Rabbit/Poultry Barn; FFA Dairy Show; Open class judging: foods and floral

1 p.m., 4-H Goat Show, Oleson Pavilion

1:30 p.m., Open Class Dairy Show

2 p.m., Open Class Judging: artwork Vossen Building

2:30 p.m., FFA Sheep Show

3 p.m., Miniature Golf Open

3:15 p.m., 4-H Lamb Lead, Oleson Pavilion

3:30 p.m., 4-H Sheep Show, Oleson Pavilion

3:30-5:30 p.m., Polkas, Waltzes and variety by Jim Austerman

4/6/8 p.m., The Bassmeister “Fishing for Laughs” comedy show

5 to 9 p.m., Carnival

5:30 p.m., Open Class Sheep, Oleson Pavilion

6 p.m., Classic Car Show, east of arena

Dusk, Extreme Productions Obstacle Course, two 17-foot screens with Wii and Guitar Hero

Friday:

7:30 a.m., 4-H food stand opens; 4-H Swine Show, Oleson Pavilion with FFA Swine Show immediately following; Open class Barrow and Gilt Show

8 a.m. 4-H Cat/Pet Show, Commercial Sheep Building

10:30 a.m., Open Class Beef Show

11 a.m., FFA Beef Show

Noon, 4-H Beef Show; 4-H Cow/Calf and Market Pen of Three Beef, Beef Barn (immediately following Beef Show)

4/6/8 p.m., The Bassmeister “Fishing for Laughs” comedy show

3 p.m. Farm Bureau Safety Trailer; Miniature Golf Open

4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Polkas, Waltzes and variety by Jim Austerman

5:30-7:30 p.m., Ivan Harris, Beer Garden

6 p.m., Spotlight Dancers

7:30 p.m., Extreme Bull Riders

Saturday:

7:30 a.m. 4-H food stand opens; 4-H Livestock Buyers Breakfast

8:30 a.m. 4-H Livestock Auction, Oleson Pavilion and arena

11:30 a.m., 4-H Horse Fun Show

Noon, 4-H Dennis Franz Premier Showmanship Contest, Specie Barns

2:30-4:30 p.m., 4-H livestock interviews

1 to 5 p.m., Carnival; Drawing for boy’s and girl’s bike at 5 p.m.

3 p.m., Farm Bureau Safety Trailer

4 to 6:30 p.m., Polkas, Waltzes and variety by Jim Austerman

6 p.m. Lamb Sweepstakes, Oleson Pavilion

7:30 p.m. Talent Show

Sunday:

7:30 a.m., 4-H food stand opens

8:30 a.m., SWTRA Horse Show

12:30 p.m., House Cat and Kitten Show, Oleson Pavilion

1:30 p.m., Jr. Columbia Sheep Show, Oleson Pavilion; Pedal Tractor Pull, east of arena

3 p.m., 4-H State Fair Livestock Orientation, Oleson Pavilion

4:30 p.m., 4-H State Fair General Orientation, Oleson Pavilion

5 p.m., Southwest Dog Show

5:30 p.m., 4-H Champion and Reserve Champion, General Exhibit winner photos, 4-H Exhibit Building

6 p.m., All 4-H Entries Released; Market Livestock Loadout

Events are in the indoor or outdoor arena unless otherwise specified.

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