Alpena County Fair opens this weekend

The 134th Annual Alpena County Fair is set to return July 26 through August 3. This year's fair will feature more live entertainment, a wider selection of amusements and several new additions while keeping everyone's favorite events.

Alpena County Fair Board Member/Director J.R. Wooster said the fair board has resigned a contract with Skerbeck Brothers Amusements after Skerbeck has been absent from the fair for the past five years. The company will bring a larger midway to the fair including a Ferris Wheel, more carnival games, better rides and a greater selection of concession stands.

"They offer a wider selection for the entire family," he said.

Completely new this year is the WATZ/Sports Unlimited tent which will provide a daily dose of entertainment beginning at 4 p.m. The tent will feature local and state renowned entertainers including AK and the Outlaws, Miss in a Day, Over the Hill Band, Northern Sounds and comedian Mike Ridley. Bleachers and a dance floor will be set up in the tent for spectators with no cost to the community.

There are several special grandstand events this year in addition to the annual draft horse pull and bump and run/demolition derby. All grandstand events begin at 7 p.m. except Saturday's Tractor and Truck pull scheduled for 6 p.m.

Country band Flynnville Train, label-mates of Toby Keith, will be performing live at the grandstand Tuesday, July 29. The five piece band has two singles on Billboard's Hot Country Songs Chart. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or at Neiman's Family Market, Alpena Chamber of Commerce and the Monton Sedar Royston Store.

Pro Wrestling returns again to Alpena Wednesday, July 30 staring former WWE wrestler Chris Masters. The event will also include local wrestler Jim Rivard, many other wrestlers and a women's match.

As part of Alpena Cycle Club's 50th anniversary the club will host the moto-cross motorcycle race Friday, August 1.

"They've wanted to be at our fair for a long time," Wooster said. "So we (the fairboard) finally said 'okay you're gonna host this event' and they're gonna bring in local, regional and state to come do the moto cross race."

Wooster said approximately 100 motorcycles are expected to participate. Wooster said until this year, the fair has always hosted their own moto cross.

The local 4-H will once again be showcasing their livestock with showing and judging events throughout the week. The 4-H Market Animal Auction is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m.

WATZ will also have an interactive display so children can learn what it's like to be a farmer for a day. The display will give children an opportunity to travel from station to station and experience what it's like to gather eggs, pick corn and bale hay. The experience begins every day at noon.

Wooster said with the way the economy is, the fair board anticipates a bigger crowd this year. With that in mind, Wooster said this year's theme is 'What's new at the Alpena County Fair?'

"Our big thing this year is to add more entertainment to the fair so a family can get more bang for they're buck," he said. "The more events we host at the fair grounds, the more likely that our local money stays in our area."

He said that this year's county fair is put on by the fair board in part with the Alpena County 4-H Program. The daily gate fee is $6 but Wooster said a week long pass is also available to purchase.

Cards providing information on fair events will be available at local businesses and the Alpena Chamber of Commerce. For more information call the Alpena County Fair Office at 356-1174.

Crystal Nelson can be reached via e-mail at cnelson@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5693.