Ami Pitt of Warsaw has coordinated pageants, entertainment, contests and competitions in the activity tent during fair week for nine years.

She says this year is her last, but she's been saying that for a couple of years.

"Replacements have been found," Pitt said Thursday. "My daughter, Sarah, activity tent coordinator-in-training, will be a big help this year."

Pitt and her daughters basically camp out all week in the activity tent, yet manage to stay behind the scenes seeing that all events run smooth.

She said her children are involved in 4-H this year and already forsees complications running from one side of the fairgrounds to the other all week.

This year's fair is July 17 through 23.

Events begin Sunday, July 17 with a gospel sing at 6 p.m.

There are two pageants Monday, July 18, followed by the senior talent contest.

The first pageant is for 13 to 15 year old girls. The Miss Teenage Kosciusko County Fair queen is expected to help in the activity tent throughout the week.

"The pageant offers her experience in public speaking and organizing events. She'll be the speaker for the Junior Miss and Mister pageant later that evening," Pitt said.

Contestants can sign up until 45 minutes before the pageant starts. The Miss Teenage pageant is July 18 at 5 p.m. and the Junior Miss and Mister contest is also July 18 at 6:30 p.m. for children 9 to 12 years old.

Miss and Mister Toddler Kosciusko is for 2-year-olds and is July 19, at 5:30 p.m. The Miss and Mister Pre-School Kosciusko 3- and 4-year-olds) is also July 19 at 7 p.m.

July 20 is the Little Miss and Mister Kosciusko (5- to 8-year olds). This pageant begins at 5:30 p.m. Winners no longer advance to state competition.

The children are judged on personality, natural beauty and appearance. They are not encouraged to wave, look at or "blow kisses" to the judges. Children will not be forced to go on the stage.

"Parents are encouraged to stand up and have their children wave to them," Pitt said. "They can take all the pictures they want. I also encourage them to bring their own prizes or crowns and award their children during or after the show."

Winners of the junior and senior talent categories will proceed to Indiana State Fair Competition. Categories are:

• Vocal solo - female

• Vocal solo - male

• Vocal group

• Instrumental solo

• Dance solo

• Dance group

• Novelty solo

• Novelty group

• Tumbling solo

• Tumbling group

• Clogging solo

• Clogging group

The senior talent contest, is for teenagers, up to age 19. The junior competitors are 12 years old and younger. The junior talent competition is at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 20. The age cut-off date is the first day of the State Fair, Aug. 10.

Sign up for both contests is an hour before they begin.

This year Kiddie's Day has been moved from Wednesday to Tuesday. Games and activities, sponsored by Applebee's Restaurant and the YMCA, start at 9 a.m. in the activity tent. Hand-led pony rides will be provided by Indiana Pony Parties along with face painting by the Possum Ranch Clowns. One free design will be painted, full-face designs will be painted for a small fee.

Good News Caboose makes a presentation at 11:15 a.m. followed by the Lake City Bank-sponsored coin hunt at 11:30 a.m.

The bicycle giveaway, sponsored by Plummer & Company, is at 2 p.m. A ticket will be given to each child 12 years old and younger beginning at 1:30 p.m. The tickets are free. Names will be drawn to give away one girl's bike and one boy's bike.

The toy giveaway, sponsored by Plummer & Company and Gold Wings, is at 3 p.m. and again each child younger than age 12 receives a ticket. Pitt said last year every child received a toy.

At 2:30 p.m. Warsaw Community Public Library has a story time.

The Ronald McDonald Show is at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

On Wednesday, July 20, magician and ventriloquist RIck Fisher performs at 5 p.m.

"Our Lady of Kosciusko" isn't really a pageant or a contest," Pitt said. "It's an opportunity to honor any woman, age 65 or older, for their service to family or community."

Anyone may write a letter about their favorite "Lady." The deadline for letters to be sent to the Fair Office is Friday. The women are not told who wrote about them until the event.

Our Lady of Kosciusko is at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 21.

At 2 p.m. Thursday a Suzuki violin group will perform followed by The Dodsons opening for The Hinsons at 6 p.m.

Forrester and Friends Karaoke will set up at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, followed by Amasan, a country music band, at 7 p.m. and more karaoke beginning at 9 p.m.

On Saturday, July 23, the Indiana State Arm Wrestling Championships will be held at 1 p.m. [[In-content Ad]]