Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Elephant ears, carnival rides, farm animals, antique tractors and free entertainment - Tuesday's county fair attractions offered something for just about everybody.
And it seemed just about everybody was at the fairgrounds Tuesday night. Higher temperatures may be on the way later this week, but families took advantage of Tuesday's clear weather to treat themselves to the fair.
Rides on the midway opened at 4 p.m. Tuesday, as did the merchants' tent.
The highlight of the evening in the Activity Tent was the Cutie King and Queen contest. This year, the pageant was split into two divisions: one for potty trained to age 2, and one for 3- and 4-year-olds.
The format was a little different this year as well, with the master of ceremonies, Steve Randolph of WFRN, asking the contestants questions about their favorite colors and activities.
However, not many of the kids actually answered his questions, despite encouragement and cheers from parents, friends and grandparents who packed the tent.
In the younger division, Cutie Queen was Taylor Jade Smith, 2, daughter of Todd and Amy Smith, Warsaw. Cutie King was Cody Shafer, 2-1/2, son of Phillip and Sherri Shafer, Warsaw.
First runner-up for Cutie Queen was Alaina O'Connell, 2, daughter of Pat and Julie O'Connell, Warsaw; and for Cutie King was Dakota Everett Eugene Funnell, 2, son of Clint and Markay Funnell, Silver Lake.
Second runner-up for queen was Reghan Craig, 1-1/2, daughter of Adam and Melissa Craig, South Whitley; and for king was Canaan Haywood, 19 months, son of Bill and Crissy Haywood, Silver Lake.
Of the 33 girls and 21 boys who competed for the Cutie King and Queen titles in the age 3 and 4 division, Cagney Craig, 3-1/2, was named queen. She is the daughter of Adam and Melissa Craig, South Whitley.
Chosen as Cutie King in the older age category was Wesley Hapner, 3, son of Brad and Stephanie Hapner, Winona Lake.
First runners-up were, for queen, Shana Anderson, 3, daughter of Greg and Sheila Anderson, Warsaw; and for king, Jackson Mitchell, 3, son of Terri Mitchell, Warsaw.
Second runner-up for queen was Rissa Pearson Pitt, 4, daughter of Ami Pitt and Tony Pearson, Warsaw; and for king was Jordan Powell, 4, son of Jeanna Backus, Warsaw.
4-H activities, already under way since the weekend, included the llama show, dairy judging and dairy showmanship, and the swine show.
Tuesday also was 4-H leaders appreciation day.
Today is "Kiddies' Day" at the fairgrounds, and rides on the midway are $1 each from 1 to 11 p.m. The watermelon-eating and seed-spitting contest is today at 4 p.m. in the Activity Tent, and 4-H exhibits in the Shrine Building and in the Home and Family Arts Building are open daily.
Also tonight is the senior talent contest for ages 13-21 in the Activity Tent at 8 p.m.
Thursday is "Farmers' and Senior Citizens' Day" at the fair, and admission for people age 65 and older is $1 each between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Bingo and euchre will be available at the Activity Tent, and the senior queen contest, open to contestants age 65 and older, will be in the Activity Tent at noon.
An apple-peeling and potato-peeling contest is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday in the Activity Tent, and "Spike and the Bulldogs" will entertain at 7:30 p.m.
4-H activities scheduled for Thursday include horse and pony contesting in the horse arena at 9 a.m., the dairy show at 9:30 a.m. and the supreme showmanship contest in the Show Arena at 3:30 p.m.
Thursday also is wristband day, with wristbands on sale for rides at $13 between 1 and 11 p.m.
The Kosciusko County 4-H and Community Fair will continue until Sunday.
