A number of events are slated for the annual McDonald County Fair, which is July 16-18.
Turtle Race
The turtle race is Saturday, July 18, at 3 p.m. The turtle race is open to anyone and there is no fee to enter. Be looking for your turtle and get him trained to be the first to cross the finish line. A 20-foot circle with a diameter line drawn across the circle is where the turtles start out. The owners of the turtles have to stay outside the circle and coach their turtle towards the finish line. Several races are run, with 6 to 8 turtles per race. The winner of each race gets a ribbon. In the final race, all turtles that have won their race will compete together and the first turtle to cross the finish line in this final race will receive a trophy.
Dog Show
The Dog Show will be held on Saturday, July 18, at 3:30 p.m. There is no entry fee, but you need to arrive 30 minutes before the show starts. The Fun Matches are for all ages: Cutest Dog, Ugliest Dog, Littlest Dog, Biggest Dog, Best Costume, Best Trick. Obedience I is open to ages 8-12 years of age. Obedience II is open to ages 12-18 years of age and Obedience III is open to ages 19 and older. By the way, those are the ages of the humans showing the dog, not the dog's age.
Junior Handler: This class will be for blue ribbon winners of each match for age 18 and younger.
The rules for the dog show are listed at mcmofair.com
50/50 Split the Pot Drawing
The McDonald County Fair will sponsor 50/50 Split the Pot Drawing. All proceeds from the drawing will benefit the McDonald County Fair. The drawing will be held on Saturday, July 18, at 8 p.m. at the fairgrounds. You need not be present to win. Tickets are $1 and can be obtained from fair board members, 4-H'ers, or anyone else connected with the fair.
Calling All Cooks
We are excited about the new addition in the Foods Department for Professional Decorated Cakes. Everyone that sells cakes will be judged against each other and will be allowed to display their business cards for the public to see after they are judged. Cakes judged for decorating will not be cut.
All ages are encouraged to bring their items but they must follow the instructions in the Fair Book. Three cookies, biscuits, rolls, gingerbread, cornbread, etc., for display and one more wrapped separate for judges, half a loaf of bread, half a cake or half a pie, and one slice wrapped separate for judges, whole decorated cakes and whole crusts. Exhibit one jar of any canned fruit, vegetable, pickles, relishes, etc. Label with processing method and time processed.
Any baked or preserved foods may be opened, if necessary, for judging. No food will be sold.
We look forward to seeing you at the fair. We will begin signing in exhibits Thursday at 8 a.m. and no exhibits will be released until 9 p.m. Saturday evening.
Scare Crow Contest
Now is the time to start thinking about how creative you can get designing a scarecrow. The McDonald County Fair will host a scarecrow contest that must be set up by 11 a.m. Thursday, July 16. The posts will be furnished. There are three age groups: Youth, 12 and under; Student, 13-18; Adult, 18 and over. First prize of $20 will be awarded in each category. Commercial Scarecrows are gladly accepted for exhibition, but will not be judged.
Tractor Driving Contest
The Tractor Driving Contest will be held on Saturday, July 18, at 2 p.m. (weather permitting). There are three divisions in this contest, Jr. Division: 7th, 8th, and 9th grade; Sr. Division: 10th, 11th, and 12th grade; and Adult Division. (Age based on grade that was just finished in school).
Each participant will be required to drive and back a four-wheel trailer through an obstacle course. Prizes will be awarded to first place in each division. Prizes are sponsored by McDonald County Farm Bureau.
Youth Tractor Pull
The youth tractor pull will be held on Friday, July 18, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Youth Division by age as of July 1, 2015. The categories are: 4 years old -- 5 years old -- 6 years old -- and 7 years old. Parent/Guardian must be with participant at the time of registration that night at the pull area and must sign a waiver before the youth may compete.
Commercial Booth
If you are interested in a commercial booth at the fair you need to contact Aaron Sherman at 417-737-3069. The rules are:
1. All advance booth reservations must be accompanied with a deposit in the amount of $30 for each space requested.
A. All advance deposits will be considered fair board money and will not be returned to depositor.
B. All groups/individuals must pay for booth space regardless of whether it is a money-making project or not.
2. Commercial concessions selling food items will be charged a flat fee of $125.
3. Outside commercial booth exhibit space shall be limited to: three automobiles, three pieces of farm machinery or the equivalent: $25.
A. Exception -- Extra space will be granted those exhibits providing space is available and does no interfere with other exhibitors.
4. Exhibitors wishing space for less than the allowed three days shall be charged at the rate of $10 per day.
5. Commercial booth chairman has the right to reject any and all exhibitors for violation of safety rules or conduct.
6. NO livestock will be stalled in commercial booth space building. Space will be provided outside the building, provided the exhibitor brings their own pens, etc.
Community on 07/02/2015