News Photo by Julie Goldberg Hailey Champagne and Kaylee Pyscher ride the Roll-O-Plane at the Alpena County Fair on Tuesday. Champagne said it is her favorite ride while it was Pyscher’s first time on the ride.

ALPENA — The Alpena County Fair is well under way as the carnival opened on Tuesday. Between 1,000 and 1,500 people showed up to take part in the huge event.

“It’s not our biggest day of the week,” fair board Treasurer Brad Avery said. “But we are expecting more people every day as the week goes on. We also opened the carnival later today so all the rides and vendors could have more time to get ready.”

A lot of work goes into bringing all the acts, rides, and vendors to the fair.

“We had a fair convention back in January in Grand Rapids where we met the vendors who are coming to the fair,” Avery said. “We also talked to the carnival company at that same time to discuss the fair and plan what ever needs to be planned.”

Avery and the fair board plan for the entire year while at the convention. The board also completes lots of phone calls to finalize all the acts, rides and vendors that are coming to the fair.

There are between 15 and 20 rides and vendors for people to choose from while they are at the carnival.

Avery said the crowd will get bigger as the week goes on.

“We estimate that there will be between 15,000 and 18,000 people at the fair this week,” Avery said. “Friday is a big day for us, but Saturday will be our biggest day of the week since it’s kids day.”

Avery and the fair estimate there will be almost 4,000 people at the fair on Friday, and between 3,000 and 4,000 people at the fair on Saturday with lots of prizes for kids to win that day. The biggest prize kids can win is a bike.

Other than Saturday being kids day, the dog show is a big event that people come and see. Also happening on Saturday is the tractor pull, truck pull, princess tea party and the children’s livestock show.

“Our motto is to promote youth and agriculture here at the fair and we focus on the youth more so we can keep the kids coming back every year,” Avery said.

Another big event at the fair is the still exhibit that goes on the entire fair week.

“The still exhibit has everything you can think of that relates to arts and crafts,” Avery said. “It depends on what year it is, but this year we have between 50 and 100 people showing their arts and crafts at the exhibit.”

Avery said there are three aspects that go into making the fair successful: the carnival, the grandstand, and the livestock exhibit.

“The livestock exhibit brings in lots of kids from the area,” Avery said. “There are over 200 animal exhibits for people to come and see.”

Other than the carnival and the still exhibit, there is a lot happening at the fair.

The rabbit and horse speed shows are today at the fair while tonight is 4-H’s Got Talent and the Alpena’s Got Talent at the grandstand.

Thursday is Senior Citizen Day at the fair with the draft horse and horse shows happening as well. Friday is Military Appreciation Day with the free community health fair and the family fun bubble gum blowing contest going on throughout the day.

There are lots of shows going on throughout the week for people to see and events for people to come and enjoy.

“I’ve been a part of this for 15 years and every year is just as fun as the last,” Avery said.

Julie Goldberg can be reached via email at jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688.

Fair results for Monday

Swine Fitting and Showmanship

Senior Grand – Amanda Johnson

Reserve- Molly MacArthur

Junior Grand- Ethan Leatzow

Reserve- Jenna Britton

Novice Grand- Hailey Lucas

Reserve- Kiera Werth

Grand Champion Roaster Hog-Carey May Udell

Reserve- Jenna Britton

Grand Champion Heavy Weight Hog-Hailey Lucas

Reserve- Kiera Werth

Small Fowl Fitting and Showmanship results

Senior Grand- Julia Butch

Reserve- Courtney Krentz

Junior Grand- Kaylee Greene

Reserve- Harrison Butch

Novice Grand- Liana Udell

Reserve- Garet McQuarrie

Showman of Showman- Julia Butch

4-H Market Results

Cornish Hens – Grand Champion – Carly Leatzow

Reserve Champion-Demi Oliver

Broiler Chickens-Grand Champion- Julia Butch

Reserve- Ethan Alexander

Sheep show

Fitting and Showmanship

Senior Grand – Courtney Krentz

Reserve- Kelsey Fras

Junior Grand-Beau Oliver

Novice Grand-Mya Klimczak

Reserve-Lily McKenzie

Showman of Showman- Courtney Krentz

4-H Market results

Grand Champion Lamb- Stephanie Domke

Reserve Champion lamb- Stephanie Domke

Picture- JoJo Zann, prenovice sheep Showman.

Goat Show

Fitting and Showmanship

Senior Grand- Stephanie Domke

Reserve- Courtney Krentz

Junior Grand- Jenna Britton

Novice Grand- Garet McQuarrie

Reserve- Liana Udell

Showman of Showman- Jenna Britton

4-H Market Results

Grand Champion Goat- Conner McDonald

Reserve Champion Goat- Erika Schmidt