photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV
The 163rd Jackson County Fair opens Sunday, August 7 at the County Fairgrounds on Ganson Street in Jackson. The opening entertainment act is comedian Jeff Dunham. Tickets are still available and day of show prices are $44, $57 and $79. Tickets can be purchased for this and all acts at the Fair Office, online at etix.com or by phone at 517-788-4405.
Opening day is Preview Day with reduced gate admission as carnival rides do not begin operating until Monday. 4-H judging begins with rabbits, horses, ponies and sheep. A flag raising ceremony to start the fair will be held at 2pm.
New this year is the Banana Derby with three shows daily. Banana Derby features monkey jockeys racing atop dogs on a self-contained racetrack. Other free shows include Elvis Tribute Show, South Central Woodcarvers and Classic Country.
Grandstand entertainment events are Five Finger Death Punch on Monday, Nelly & Vanilla Ice on Tuesday, Twisted P Rodeo on Wednesday, Monster Trucks on Friday and Demo Derby/Enduro Cars wrapping up the week on Saturday.
Featured days at the fair are Monday Senior Citizen Day, $2 Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Pay One Price Day and Saturday $1 Ride-Price Day. Thursday and Friday are Veterans Day, with free admission for Veterans, sponsored by AT&T.
As part of Veterans Day Thursday, the Traveling Michigan Vietnam Veteran Memorial will arrive at 10am and be displayed for the duration of the fair. AT&T’s sponsorship of the Fair includes the extended Veterans Days and support of the 4-H premium awards once again this year.
Traditional favorites returning this year include the Birthing Barn, Mid-America Shows rides and concessions, Fiske Fries, Netterfield Popcorn and Lemonade, Milking Parlor and Ice Cream Stand. Among the 30+ food vendors, local favorites are Parma Cafe, Whitehouse, Spring Arbor Boy Scouts, Randy’s BBQ, Power’s Sweet Corn and Willis Pryor’s Fine Foods.
All rides will begin at 2pm Monday thru Saturday. Regular gate admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children 6 to 10 and free for 5 years and under. Parking on the grounds is $3. Fair hours daily are 10am to 10pm.