The Elkhart County 4-H Fair 2010 in Elkhart County, Indiana

Do not miss the Elkhart County 4-H Fair in Goshen, Indiana. The fair will open on July 23rd and will run through July 31st. The fairgrounds can be located at 17746-D Country Road 34 Goshen, Indiana 46528.
If you have any questions you can call the 574-533-3247 or fax, 574-534-3743.

The Elkhart County 4-H Fair has been ranked as the next to the largest and best county fair in the country. I have attended the fair every year since I was a small child. The food is fantastic as well as all of the exhibits and entertainment.

Major attractions include the Elephant Encounter in the family entertainment area. The shows will occur daily at 2 p.m., 5 p.m., and 8 p.m. There is no fee for this attraction. There are many other equally entertaining free attractions in the family entertainment area.

Aerial Acts will be performed by the US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team on Thursday, July 29. The jumps will be at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. approximately.

Don't miss the "miracle of Life" Calving Center south of the Exhibit Building. There will be pregnant animals ready to give birth. Obviously there is no exact time of delivery but it is not uncommon to arrive during or close after a heifer has given birth. There are always baby piglets as well as young animals and a petting zoo at Young McDonald's farm at the Youth Agricultural Center.

Another major attraction includes Hammersmith Belgians near Gate G in the Draft Horse Barn. These horses are amazing gentle giants to behold. There is also a horse shoe pitching contest as well as many other contests that you may participate in or just observe.

Don't miss the carnival rides. You can get advance tickets at the Fair Office for $6.00 and a ride voucher for $18.00 and reserved track seats are available on sale now. Friday is also wristband day when you can ride all of the rides for only $20.00.

If you don't purchase advance tickets the cost at the gate is $8.00 but the first Sunday is free admittance. There are church services on Sunday morning, which include different services including a nondenominational service and a Catholic service. We have traditionally attended this free day and a church service the first Sunday of the Elkhart County 4-H fair for years.

The concerts include free admission to the grandstand. If you want reserved track seating you may purchase tickets at the fair office, There is a schedule at the www.4hfair.org web site. The entertainment includes The Guess Who on Saturday, July 24th at 8:00 p.m. If you want reserved seating the price will be $20 or can sit in the grandstands for free.

Jaci Velasquez will be performing on Sunday, July 25th at 8:00 p.m. with reserved track seating for $10 or free grandstand seating.

Lady Antebellum with special guest Edens Edge will be performing on Monday July 25th at 8:00 p.m. These reserved seats have been sold out but you can still have free grandstand seating.

Huey Lewis and the News will perform on Tuesday, July 27th at 8:00 with reserved track seating for $25.00 these seats are still available until they are sold out. Free grandstand seating available, arrive early if you want a good seat. Remember there will be no saved seats. Blankets that are placed on bleachers to reserve seats will be removed.

Lonestar will be performing on Wednesday, July 28th at 8:00 p.m with reserved track seating for $20.00 until they are sold out.

Friday, July 23, is Veterans' Day, There will be free admission for senior citizens over 62 years old until 3:00 p.m.

There is a multitude of activities to watch and to participate in. Don't forget to visit the Creative Arts Building and the Home and Family Arts building. Observe the crafters and the judging of cheerleading contests. You will never be bored, but you may get overheated if the weather is consistent to past July's in Indiana. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and enjoy everything from the " all you can eat pancakes"
to the pulled pork sandwiches, cotton candy and lemon shake ups. I won't condemn you for trying a lamb or rabbit burger but there is no way that I could eat a bunny rabbit sandwich.

The Elkhart County 4-H Fair will close with the Nationwide Demolition Derby at 7:00 p.m. My husband and many of his demolition derby buddies have participated for years. My husband came in second place one year and many years has placed in this competition. The demolition derby has had the highest attendance of any of the events many years at the Elkhart County 4-H fair.

It is always a sad time when the fair ends because it seems to signify the end of summer, although summer in Indiana lasts a long time. Hope to see you at the fair. I will be the judge at the Creative Arts Building for the 2nd year in a row. It is a privilege and an honor.

You can read more about the Elkhart County 4-H Fair at www.4hfair.org or follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

For a complete guide to the Elkhart County 4-H Fair activities please visit. www.4hfair.org.