The Oakland County 4-H Fair is set to kick off with the 4-H Club parade on July 24.
The 4-H Fair is a unique tradition with a wide variety of attractions. The fair is likely the only place you can go to buy a pig, ride carnival rides and watch a demolition derby all at the same time.
‘The fair is great family fun,? Oakland County 4-H Fair General Manage L.C. Scramlin said. ‘There is something for everybody. If your participating or bringing family to walk around, it’s just a great time. In this day and age, it’s hard to find things that are rated G all the way through and the county fair is.?
The actual fair begins on July 25 with the Playworld Carnival from 1-9 p.m. and the figure eight race at 7 p.m. July 25 is also the first day people get a chance to tour the Ellis Barn during the open house.
The open house is to celebrate the reopening of the Ellis Barn, which was transferred to the fair grounds and restored.
‘The Ellis Barn was built back in 1883 and it was given to the fair grounds,? Scramlin said. ‘It took nearly a year and a half to get here. This year, we are going to have it open for tours. It’s a huge barn and is the only barn from Michigan in the American Barns book. It’s really something to see.?
The Oakland County 4-H fair will feature carnival rides and special events each day. On July 26 at 1 and 7 p.m. there is a Bull Mania Rodeo and at 6 p.m. a horse jumping event. The demolition derby is scheduled for 7 p.m. on July 27.
On July 28 there will be a Diaper Derby at 1 p.m., horse costume contest at 6 p.m., small animal auction at 7 p.m., a Monster Truck Shoot Out at 7 p.m. and an ugly truck contest.
July 29 features a variety of free health screenings and safety activities, the 4-H large animal sale and another figure eight race.
The final day will have an open horse show at 9 a.m., egg drop contest and heavyweight horse pull at 2 p.m., Go-Kart races at 4 p.m. and the 10th Annual Classic Car Show. There is also free bike giveaways on various days during the fair.
Scramlin said people enjoy the wide variety of events, but if he had to pick a favorite, he would choose the auctions.
‘I get excited during the live stalk auction,? Scramlin said. ‘For us it shows that another year has come and gone. Most kids have been planning for the day for a year. Once it’s over, most of them will start planning for 2007. It’s fun for some of the first timers and sometimes it marks the end of people’s 4-H career. It’s exciting to be a part of all that.?