100 years of county fair fun: Jasper County Fair celebrates centennial with weeklong festivities

Jasper County Fair

July 20-27

3671 W. Clark St.

Rensselaer, Indiana

RENSSELAER, Ind. — The Jasper County Fair is marking its 100th anniversary with a spectacular celebration July 20-27. This milestone event promises a blend of tradition and excitement.

The opening ceremony at 5 p.m. on July 20 in the Show Arena will feature a 100-year presentation, the National Anthem sung by John Vincent, the National Anthem singer for the Chicago Cubs, a children’s choir and an ice cream social.

A 100-year celebration parade will be held at noon on July 21, with awards for division winners. Centennial merchandise will be for sale in the Community Building.

Grandstand Events

The fair’s Grandstand will host a series of thrilling events most evenings at 7 p.m.:

• Saturday, July 20 — Truck and tractor pull

• Sunday, July 21 — Mud drags

• Tuesday, July 23 — ATV barrel racing

• Wednesday, July 24 — D&D Pro Rodeo

• Thursday, July 25 — Micro Wrestling

• Friday, July 26 — Demolition Derby

• Saturday, July 27 — Monster trucks

Free Stage Entertainment

The Free Stage will feature nightly performances at 7 p.m.:

• Saturday, July 20 — 45 RPM

• Sunday, July 21 — Finley River Boys

• Monday, July 22 — The Nerd Band

• Tuesday, July 23 — Jake Dodds

• Wednesday, July 24 — Warranted

• Thursday, July 25 — The Flying Toasters

• Friday, July 26 — Mellencougar

• Saturday, July 27 — Party Foul

Sunday will also include a variety of family-friendly acts such as the Silly Safari, balloon animals, magicians and puppet shows in the Free Stage Tent.

Additional Activities

Visitors can enjoy wood carving demonstrations, Bob’s Bumpy Barrel rides, the First Bite Fishing experience, a comedy circus, hypnotist performances and the Circle City Sidewalk Stompers.

Senior Day on July 23 features special programs, including a Jasper County Extension Homemakers Reunion from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Community Building will host the Jasper County Cake and Pie Contest at 6:15 p.m. on July 20. Other activities in the Community Building throughout the week include crafts, foam bubbles, magic shows, choir performances and a 100-year display.

The 4-H Supreme Showman show is at 5:30 p.m. on July 25. The 4-H livestock auction takes place on July 26, with lunch at noon and the auction at 2 p.m.

Historical Highlights

In honor of the centennial, the fair is compiling a 100-year cookbook. Pre-orders can be made by emailing jcfacookbook@gmail.com.

Additionally, community members are encouraged to submit old photos and memorabilia by July 1 to jcfa100yearmail@gmail.com.

The fair will also host a baby photo contest and an oldest fair photo contest, with more details available at jaspercountyfair.weebly.com.