Talk of the Town - Whitley County

By Jennifer Zartman Romano

It is the chance to catch up with old friends over ice cream at a picnic table. It’s the smell of overheated engines and broken radiators at the demolition derby. It’s the parents and grandparents beaming with pride when their child does well in showmanship. It’s the squirt gun fights, napping on your show box, dust in the air and the gentle hum of fans.

It’s the Whitley County 4-H Fair and if the traffic alone at the Whitley County 4-H Fairgrounds is any indication, it is here.

The Whitley County 4-H Fair kicks off Friday, July 17 and continues through Thursday, July 23.

The Whitley County 4-H Fair is unique in that it is one of the few, if not only, remaining fairs in the state that is free to the community, offers free parking and is not a carnival type event. In many ways, it is the same traditional fair people come back to enjoy year after year.

Each year the board of directors, 4-H Inc., strives to offer new activities and this year’s new addition is the Motorcross show which begins at 7 p.m. The event features dirt bikes jumping and flying over a course that has been under construction for the past several weeks. As with the demolition derbies and other grandstand events, there is a $7 per person admission fee. Family passes are also available each year and can be purchased on Friday and Saturday at the gazebo near the show barn. Family passes are $65 and include every immediate family member living in the same household.

The Whitley County 4-H Fair parade begins Friday evening at 6 p.m. and this year will be dedicated to the memory of long-time 4-H volunteer and a champion for children, Susan Rosentrader. Rosentrader died last Friday after a valiant battle with cancer and will be remembered fondly by 4-Hers for her many years of dedication to the Mini 4-H program.

In addition to the traditional 4-H activities, the fairgrounds will also host Master Gardener seminars and educational opportunities at the Whitley County Agricultural History Museum located on the fairgrounds campus.

Talk of the Town will continue to have coverage throughout the week. Talk of the Town and representatives Teresa Smith and Viv Sade of the Whitley News Network will be taking photos of any 4-Her and their awards during scheduled hours. Talk of the Town will be taking photos from 3-5 p.m. on Tuesday in the project area at the 4-H Center Building. Sade and Smith will also be taking photos at the 4-H Center Building project area from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday. Appointments can also be made by sending at email to: jennifer@talkofthetownwc.com

Click the link below to see the full schedule of Whitley County 4-H Fair events.