Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Near-perfect weather and a free grandstand concert by the Wright Brothers brought out larger-than-expected crowds Wednesday at the Kosciusko County Fair.
Parking spilled over into almost all the available space Wednesday evening, and food booths and rides on the Midway were busy. Wednesday also was Kiddies Day at the fair, which meant rides were $1 per person until closing.
Kiddies Day was topped off at 8 p.m. by the Little Mr. and Miss Kosciusko contest. Nathan Joseph Samuel Cook, 5, of Syracuse, son of Dena Cook, was Little Mr. Kosciusko; and Meghan Marie Tucker, 6, of Warsaw, daughter of Dennis and Cindy Tucker, was named Little Miss Kosciusko.
Austin Krizman, 5, of Syracuse, son of Joe and Theresa Krizman; and Shana Patel, 7, daughter of Hemant and Ursula Patel, Pierceton, were first runners-up. Second runners-up were Ryan James Scott, 7, Winona Lake, son of Matt and Jennifer Scott; and Miranda Kay Earnhart, 5, Milford, daughter of Randall and Diana Earnhart.
Cook and Tucker will go on to compete for Little Mr. and Miss Indiana at the state fair in August.
The senior talent contest also took place Wednesday, and the top three winners were: first place, Thomas Hall, 15, Claypool, instrumental solo; second place, "It's Raining Men," Allison Davis, 17, and Ashley Dirck, 16, both of Warsaw, dance group; and third place, Brittani Panula, 15, and Jodie Lieffring, 13, both of Warsaw, dance group. (See photo on page 6B.)
Today is Senior Citizen's and Farmer's Day at the fair, and senior citizens age 65 and older pay only $1 admission. "Our Lady of Kosciusko" senior queen contest will be at noon today in the Activity Tent and recording artist Alicia Rose will entertain there at 1 p.m. At 4 p.m. in the Activity Tent will be a recognition ceremony of "Good Works and Heroes."
4-H activities are beginning to wind down today, with supreme showmanship contests at 3 and 6 p.m. in the show arena. The dairy show was at 9:30 a.m. today and the horse and pony contesting was at 9 a.m.
The 4-H livestock auction will be Friday's all-day highlight in the show arena. Horse and pony contesting and riding will be at 9 a.m. Friday in the horse arena, and horse and pony awards will be presented at 4 p.m. in the horse arena.
The toy giveaway is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday on the midway, and the Guitar Woodies will give a concert at 7 p.m. in the Activity Tent. The Semi truck show and shine is in the evening at the grandstand, and the NTPA Super Semi Nationals is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Today is wristband day for $13 per person until 11 p.m. Friday is wristband day for $10 per person until 6 p.m. and regular ride ticket prices after 6 p.m. The midway opens at 1 p.m.
