Entrance fees are the same as usual $2 for adults, children 12 and under go free. Or, you can buy a season ticket at the gate for just $7! And if you want to save some steps, seasonal parking is available for just $3.

Luehrs’ Ideal Rides will grace the skyline and provide hours of fun for kids of all ages. During the week, the carnival opens at 6 p.m., but on Saturday and Sunday they’re open from 1 p.m. If it’s the rides you like, be sure to visit Tuesday and Sunday, because that’s when all rides are one ticket each (tickets cost $1 each or 16 for $15). You can visit their website for ticket coupons: http://www.luehrs.com.

Other standard attractions this year include the agriculture, livestock and art shows, children’s scrambles and the annual talent show. Harness racing will occur each afternoon Thursday through Sunday. Judging will occur throughout the week. Click here for a full schedule of events.

The grandstand will be rocking most of the week. Most grandstand events will require an extra fee, but there are two free events: the 4-H Horse Show on Tuesday morning and the Open Horse Show on Wednesday morning. For all other events, you can reserve seats ahead of time for a slightly higher fee. Children under six are admitted to general admission free with an adult, except for Sunday evening.

One special feature this year will be the grandstand bonus and added season-ticket awards, sponsored by CEFCU. Each night, except for Sunday, everyone entering the grandstand will be given a ticket for a $100 drawing. You must be present in the grandstand to win. On Sunday, the $100 prize will be given to a season ticket or exhibitor ticket holder. To enter, put your name and phone number on the back of your ticket and drop it off on Sunday. You do not have to be present to win this drawing.

So what’s going on when?

The fair will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday morning at 9. Judging will continue all day. At 7:15 p.m., the Interveteran Council will host the official opening ceremony, followed immediately by the fair queen pageant. Ten girls from all over the county will compete in a quest for the crown. The chosen Miss Logan County Fair will serve as hostess for the fair. She will present trophies and ribbons and assist in other activities throughout the fair. If you see her, you will know her by her attire: a dress, crown and sash. She will also represent Logan County for the next year at many events around the state, including the Miss Illinois County Fair pageant next January. [Click here for contestants.]

Just before the queen pageant, in addition to the grandstand bonus, there will be another drawing. P&M Communications will be giving away a direct TV satellite system. Once again, you have to be there to win.

Wednesday’s main attraction is the talent contest, sponsored by Kroger. Logan County’s finest will gather to show off their skills in dancing, singing and banjo picking for your entertainment and a chance at cash prizes. The talent contest will take place at 7:30 p.m. Those wishing to enter should contact Cindy Howard.

Thursday afternoon will bring the Flying Feet Cloggers. They will perform in front of the Special Events Building at 5 p.m. The tractor pull contest, sponsored by Sheley’s Repair and FS Service, will be at 6:30 p.m. in the grandstand. There will be five classes, all ITPA-sanctioned.

Friday is Senior Citizens Day and 4-H Night. Seniors get in to the fair and to the afternoon harness racing in the grandstand absolutely free. Logan County Bank and The Oasis will be sponsoring other activities in the Special Events Building starting at 3 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., the 4-H children’s scrambles will be in the grandstand. Sixteen children age 5 or 6 will chase chickens around the field, trying to catch the flapping creatures to win a prize. Children ages 7 through 9 will scramble for a kid goat, and 4-H’ers ages 9 through 14 will fumble after pigs. Youth ages 12 through 17 will compete in the calf scramble. Those who catch goats, pigs or calves will then become the owners of those animals.

Saturday is Kids Day. The day will begin with a chili cook-off and 3-on-3 basketball. At 1 p.m., there will be children’s events in the Special Events Building, harness racing in the grandstand, and Luehrs’ rides begins their bargain afternoon for kids (which continues until 5 p.m.). The winning smile contest will be in the special events building at 4 p.m. The evening will finish out with a country music concert by 16-year-old Wade Dooley.

[Wade Dooley]

Sunday is the final day of the fair. It is also Family Day. Luehrs’ rides will cost only one ticket each. The Logan County Cake Classic auction will be at 5 p.m. in the Special Events Building. Proceeds from the auction will go to the Logan County 4-H. The fair will end with a closing ceremony hosted by the Interveteran Council and a demolition derby sponsored by Webb Promotions (6 p.m. in the grandstand).

So come out and see what the fair has to offer you, and don’t forget to schedule for next year’s fair, July 29-Aug. 3, 2003.

July 29 - Aug. 3

*Denotes time of judging

All rides take one ticket; 16 tickets for $15 or $1 each

7:30 a.m. — 4-H and Department H Rabbits

8 a.m. — 4-H and Department H Poultry

8:30 a.m. — Young farmer kiddie tractor pull, moved to front of Republican tent.

*8 a.m. — Textiles (closed judging)

9 a.m. — Ribbon-cutting ceremony at front gate

9 a.m. — Department M Fine Arts (closed judging)

9 a.m. — Department M Photography (closed judging)

9 a.m. — Department J Agriculture Products (closed judging)

9 a.m. — 4-H and Department H Horse and Pony Show

11 a.m. — Department L Floricultural, except glads and potted plants (closed judging)

1 p.m. — 4-H Cats and 4-H and Department H Junior Goats

7:15 p.m. — Opening ceremony with Interveteran Council

7:30 p.m. — 2002 queen pageant

8 a.m. — 4-H Swine

8 a.m. — 4-H, Department H and Department B Dairy

8 a.m. — Department H and Department B Milking Shorthorns

9 a.m. — Open Horse Show

9 a.m. — Textiles (closed judging)

10 a.m. — Department O Culinary, except cakes and candies (open judging)

3 p.m. — Department M Style Show, in Special Events Building

7:30 p.m. — Talent contest

All carnival rides take one ticket per ride. (Good for tickets purchased Sunday only.)

Noon — Logan County Cake Classic

1 p.m. — Harness racing; Downstate Classic for 2-year-olds

2 p.m. — 4-H livestock auction in show ring at north end of fairgrounds

4 p.m. — Exhibits released for pickup

5 p.m. — All 4-H exhibits must be removed

5 p.m. — Logan County Cake Classic auction, Special Events Building

6 p.m. — Closing ceremony, Interveteran Council

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