(Posted Jan. 19, 2016)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Messenger Editor
It can be “tough” to find new entertainment for the county fair, but the Madison County Senior Fair Board has done it.
The new attraction for 2017 is a Tough Truck Contest. Owners of two- and four-wheel drive trucks are invited to run the rugged course for a chance at prize money. All vehicles must have working seatbelts, and all drivers and passengers must wear helmets. The course will be set up in front of the grandstand at the horse track.
“It’s the new, hot thing on the fair circuit,” said Bob Richardson, Madison County Fairgrounds manager.
The Tough Truck Contest is set for Wednesday of fair week, which runs July 8-15.
In addition to booking the truck contest, the fair board firmed up much of the rest of the entertainment for this year’s fair following their trip to the Ohio Fair Managers Convention, held in Columbus earlier this month.
Several crowd favorites are back as grandstand events, plus a full slate of bands set to perform live music on the midway. The schedule is as follows:
- Saturday and Sunday, July 8-9—Harness racing (with free admission on Saturday);
- Monday, July 10—KOI drag racing, a competition open to anyone of any age who owns anything on wheels and likes the idea of racing head-to-head;; “Blue August,” a hard-hitting rock band.
- Tuesday, July 11—Central Ohio Truck Pull Circuit pull; “Still First in Space,” a Pink Floyd tribute band.
- Wednesday, July 12—Tough Truck contest; “Jesse Blankenship Band,” playing country and honkytonk music.
- Thursday, July 13—Mid-Ohio Tractor Pullers Association antique tractor pull; “Through the Red” and “Downright Nasties,” both playing rock music.
- Friday, July 14—National Tractor Pullers Association pull; “Still First in Space” performs again.
- Saturday, July 15—Smash-It demolition derby, a crunch-’em-up thriller with participation open to the public; “Blue August” and “Still First in Space” round out the music bill with a return to the midway stage.
“The bands we booked are looking for new audiences, and we were looking for new entertainment. I think it’s going to work out well for both of us,” said fair board member Duane Powell. He noted that “Blue August” and “Still First in Space” played at an equine facility fundraiser last fall and were well received.
Additionally, hypnotist and comedian Mike Bishop is back to mesmerize audiences. He will perform three shows a day, Monday through Saturday.
Richardson said he also is working on finding a couple of new midway attractions to replace the exotic petting zoo and firefighters kids’ show that have been part of the fair schedule the past few years.
He also is organizing a shuttle service using golf carts to transport senior citizens from their parking spots into the heart of the fairgrounds.
The next Madison County Senior Fair Board meeting is at 7 p.m. Feb. 1 at the fairgrounds, 205 Elm St., London.
