Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
When Pugh Shows declared bankruptcy, the Kosciusko County fair board had to scramble.
Pugh Shows was the long-time provider of carnival rides and entertainment for the annual fair.
With its demise comes an opportunity, according to fair board president Paul Kuhn.
"We contracted Mid-America Amusements," he said. "And it promises to be bigger and better than we've ever seen before."
Mid-America was already booked during the fair's regularly scheduled time - the second week of July - and was open the first week of the month. Rides open Monday at 5:30 p.m.
Dates for next year's Kosciusko County 4-H and Community Fair are expected to return to the normal schedule.
Following is a look at what fair-goers can expect throughout this year's event.
Saturday
Prefair activities begin Saturday with dog obedience - showmanship in the show arena at 9 a.m. The 4-H skill-a-thon contest is at 1 p.m. in the Shrine Building. Lakeview Middle School is the site of the annual fashion and consumer clothing revue at 7 p.m. The program also includes naming this year's 4-H king and queen and the awards program.
Paid admission will be charged at the gate July 1 through 6. Weekly passes for adults are $15, $5 for kids 10 to 15 years old and children age 10 and younger get in free. Daily admission is $3 for adults and $1 for kids age 10 to 15. Weekly admission for 4-H parents is $7.
July 4 is Senior Citizens' and Farmers' Day, and seniors 65 years old and older will be charged a $1 admission.
Sunday
Patrons are allowed onto the fairgrounds free and can attend Vespers, provided by the Walnut Creek Church, at 7 p.m. in the grandstand.
At 2 p.m. the cat show starts in the activity tent, the rabbit royalty contest is in the rabbit barn and the goat fun show and exploring 4-H goat show are in the goat tent.
At 4 p.m. the parade starts from Winona Lake and concludes in the grandstand area. The Battle of the Barns - Share the Fun Contest begins after the parade, and parade awards will be presented during the "battle."
Each 4-H member will receive a commemorative centennial ribbon and cup marking the 100th anniversary of 4-H.
Seven- and 10-year 4-H members will be recognized along with volunteers and alumni. The Friend of 4-H award will be presented.
The grandstand audience will be quizzed about the 100-year history of 4-H and will receive prizes for correct answers.
A gospel sing will be held in the activity tent at 6 p.m. Also at 6 p.m. the goat royalty contest will be held in the goat tent.
At the horse arena, the horse and pony costume classes begin at 7:30 p.m.
July 1 through 6
The community antique tractor and machinery show begins Monday and continues through the week.
Midway rides begin after the opening ceremony at 6 p.m. Monday and at 1 p.m. each day thereafter.
July 1
Extension Homemaker Day
The rabbit show is at 9 a.m. in the rabbit barn and the dairy steer show stars in the show arena.
At 10 a.m. the horse and pony show begins in the horse arena and the goat show begins at 3 p.m. in the goat tent.
In the activity tent the Junior Miss and Mister Kosciusko County Fair contest for 8- to 11-year-olds begins at 5:30 p.m.; the Miss Teenage Kosciusko County Fair is at 6:30 p.m. and the Junior Talent Contest for kids 12 years old and younger begins at 7:30 p.m.
The grandstand area will be the scene of the Buckeye celebrity donkey races beginning at 7 p.m. Local "celebrities" will participate in several heats and a feature race, with the top three winners receiving trophies.
The horse and pony show begins again at 5:30 p.m. and the livestock judging contest begins in the show arena at 7:30 p.m.
July 2
4-H Leaders
Appreciation Day
From 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. leaders can register for prizes and "freebies."
The swine show starts at 8:30 a.m. in the show arena and the poultry, pigeon and waterfowl show begins at the same time in the poultry barn.
The horse and pony showmanship - halter classes begin at 9 a.m. in the horse arena, with the llama show at 10 a.m. in the llama tent.
At 5:30 p.m. the Mr. and Miss Toddler Kosciusko County Fair for 2-year-olds begins in the activity tent.
At the grandstand area, Lake City Ski Team performs at 5:45 p.m., Ruth and Susan Derr sing at 6:30 p.m. and Doc Wadkins and the Hardpack perform at 8 p.m.
At 6 p.m. is horse and pony contesting versatility in the horse arena.
The Mr. and Miss Pre-School Kosciusko County Fair for 3- to 4-year-olds is at 7 p.m. in the activity tent.
At 7:30 p.m. the dairy judging contest begins in the show arena followed by the dairy showmanship contest.
July 3
Kiddies Day begins with children's games and activities from 9 a.m. to noon in the activity tent with the Applebee's coloring contest at 9 a.m.
Kids tour the animal barns at 10 a.m., and at 11:30 a.m. the Lake City Bank coin hunt begins. At 12:30 p.m. is Bart's Car Store bike give-a-way.
The 11th annual Haywood frog jumping contest begins at 1 p.m., the Ronald McDonald magic show is at 3 p.m. and the Deb Collier Dance Group begins at 4 p.m.
On the 4-H side, the dairy calf feeder show starts at 8 a.m. in the show arena with horse and pony English and contesting at 9 a.m.
The sheep show is at 1 p.m. in the show arena. The horse and pony versatility contest is at 6 p.m. in the horse arena, with the rabbit illustrated talk at 7 p.m. in the rabbit barn.
Back in the activity tent, senior (ages 13 to 19 years) talent competition begins at 6 p.m. First-place winners advance to state competition as do the winners of the Little Miss and Mr. contest, for 5- to 7-year-olds, which begins at 8 p.m.
Admission to the Demolition Derby, beginning at 7 p.m. in the grandstand, is $10.
July 4
Senior Citizens' and Farmers' Day
The horse and pony show begins at 9 a.m. in the horse arena and the dairy show begins in the show arena at the same time.
4-H members with wristbands can ride the Mid-America Shows rides for free from noon until 1 p.m.
Bingo and euchre games will be held in the activity tent from 9 a.m. to noon.
The "Our Lady of Kosciusko" senior queen contest for women 65 years old and older begins at 1 p.m., followed by a program honoring military veterans at 1:15 p.m.
Local entertainment will be provided by the winners of the talent competition at 1:30 p.m.
The supreme showmanship - dairy calf feeder steer, goats, rabbits, poultry and dairy - is at 3 p.m. in the show arena.
The horseshoe pitch is at 4 p.m. in the pitch area.
The Hinsons perform at 6 p.m. in the activity tent and the go-kart exhibition is at 7 p.m. in the grandstand area.
At 6:30 supreme showmanship - horse, sheep, swine and beef - is in the show arena. Horse and pony awards presentations are at 7 p.m. in the horse arena.
July 5
Sponsorship and Media Day
The 4-H livestock auction begins at 10 a.m. in the show arena.
In the activity tent, the Foldwings toy give-a-way is at 2 p.m., Youngs to Eternity performs at 3 p.m. and the In Clog Nito Cloggers perform at 5 p.m., with open karaoke by Forrester and Friends at 6 p.m.
Registration for the semi truck Show and Shine begins in the evening at the west gate of the grandstand and the NTPA Super Semi Nationals is at 7:30 p.m.
July 6
Truckers Day
Phlick 31 performs at noon in the activity tent, with a repeat appearance by Youngs to Eternity at 2 p.m.
The Guitar Woodies play at 5 p.m., also in the activity tent.
The Show and Shine parade begins at 6 p.m. in the grandstand area followed by the NTPA Stock Semi Pull.
Random Play performs at 7:30 p.m. in the activity tent.
Fireworks begins around 9 p.m., visible from the fairgrounds.
