Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Kosciusko County's 4-H and Community Fair officially started Tuesday evening, as fair queen Heather Lamb cut the opening ribbon.
The fair board also recognized 4-H volunteers and the 4-H council as associate fair directors and gave them official T-shirts.
City, county and state officials also were present for the ribbon-cutting.
In the Activity Tent, Marissa Phillips, 2, daughter of Joe and Sabrina Phillips, Mentone, was crowned Cutie Queen in the 2-year-old class.
First runner-up was Caitlin Clevenger, 2-1/2, daughter of Buster and Heather Clevenger, North Webster; and second runner-up was Kassidy Shepherd, 2-1/2, daughter of Kevin and Becky Shepherd, Pierceton.
Six contestants competed for the crown, and Alyssa Bott, the 1999 Miss Congeniality, asked them to wave at their parents or to clap their hands.
In the 3- and 4-year-old class, eight boys and 16 girls vied for the Cutie King and Queen crowns.
Joshua Johnson, 4, son of Charlie and Jennie Johnson, Lucerne, will wear the king's crown. Leeann Meghan McGuire, 4, daughter of Mike and Carrie McGuire, Syracuse, was chosen as queen.
Skyler Moore, 4, son of Steve and Julie Moore, was first runner-up in the king contest; and Jackson E. Mitchell, 4, son of Terri Mitchell, Warsaw, was second runner-up.
In the queen contest, Mikayli Phillips, 4, daughter of Jerry and Rachelle Phillips, was named first runner-up; and Chassidy Bays, 3, daughter of Rocky and Tara Bays, Warsaw, was second runner-up.
Today is "Kiddies Day" at the fairgrounds, with special events planned especially for children.
Barn tours and a coin hunt were scheduled for this morning, and a frog jumping contest will take place at 12:30 p.m., with a watermelon seed spitting contest at 4 p.m.
Ronald McDonald will give a magic show at 2 p.m. in the Activity Tent, and Deb Collier's Dance Group will be there at 2:45 p.m.
Tonight is the pedal tractor pull at 6 p.m., the Little Miss and Mr. Contest at 6:30 p.m. and the senior talent contest at 8 p.m.
4-H activities will begin winding down today, with the dairy calf feeder steer show this morning, along with the horse and pony English and contesting, and the sheep show at 1 p.m. in the show arena. The rabbit illustrated talk is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Thursday's 4-H schedule includes the horse and pony western and contesting at 9 a.m., the dairy show at 9:30 a.m. and the supreme showmanship contest at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Also Thursday, 4-H members with wristbands may ride the Midway rides free between noon and 1 p.m.
Thursday is Senior Citizen's and Farmer's Day, with senior admission $1 per person.
Activities for seniors in the Activity Tent include bingo and euchre at 9 a.m., the Senior Queen Contest at noon, the apple and potato peeling contest at 2:30 p.m. and the pie baking contest at 3 p.m.
At 7 p.m. the Guitar Woodies will entertain in the Activity Tent and the Country Jam Band is scheduled for a free show in the Grandstand.
Thursday is also wristband day at the fair, with wristbands selling for $13 providing entry to any ride.
The Great Lakes Timber Show in the Activity Woods is an ongoing exhibit at the fair this year.
The Home and Family Arts Building also hosts a continuing exhibit of general projects, and 4-H project exhibits are shown in the Shrine Building.
