The midpoint of July has come and gone, and that can only mean one thing in Jackson County — the fair is just around the corner.
This year’s event begins its eight-day run Sunday at the Jackson County Fairgrounds, 476 E. County Road 100S, Brownstown.
Tom Martin, president of the Jackson County Fair Association, said planning has gone very well this year, and so far, no issues have sprung up.
“We’re trying to finalize everything, but right now, all of the committees are a go, and there are no issues — knock on wood — that we’ve run into,” he said.
Nearly 100,000 people attend the fair every year, which has been held in Brownstown since 1939.
Fairgoers can expect the same fair they know and love, but there have been improvements made at the fairgrounds since last year, Martin said.
The work includes painting buildings and electrical and concrete work.
Martin thanked Craig Fritz for mowing, weed eating, painting and restaining benches as groundskeeper for the fairgrounds, which sits on more than 125 acres east of the county seat.
Some of the groups that helped clean and paint some buildings at the fairgrounds were part of Jackson County United Way Day of Caring in May, and Martin thanked them for their efforts.
While Martin did not foresee any specific issues coming up during or before the fair, he said the Jackson County Fair Association is ready to handle any problems that might arise.
“There will always be a few bumps in the road, but we’ll deal with them as they come,” he said. “We’ve got a big group of people to do that.”
Last year’s edition of the fair was the first since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, which led to the cancellation of the in-person fair that year.
Since some people might have been apprehensive about attending the fair last year due to COVID, Martin said he expects even more people to attend this year.
He said the Jackson County Fair Association is working with the Jackson County Health Department and has been following its safety guidance.
The theme for the antique building this year will be “Coming Together … Friends, Families and Festivals.”
Pictures and items in the building will revolve around the idea of get-togethers, whether that is a family reunion, a local festival or memorabilia from friends getting together.
The stage in front of the antique building will offer music from 6 to 9 p.m. every day.
On Sunday, music will be played on the stage from 1 p.m. until sunset.
This year’s antique building stage performers include Forever Saved, Family Bluegrass, Less Like Me, Larry Wayt and Soldiers’ Joy String Band, Star Promenaders, Joe Persinger, Happy Accident, Country Kickers, Stars and Stripes Cloggers and Alley Katz.
Poor Jack Amusements will bring rides, games and concessions to the midway yet again this year.
Kiddie Day specials will be July 27 and 30 with discount pricing from 1 to 5 p.m.
July 29 will be Moonlight Madness night, and unlimited rides will be offered from 6 p.m. until closing.
The Jackson County Fair website was updated last year to include the menus and prices of food at the various stands at the fair.
Martin said people can expect the same information on the website this year.
The website is found at jacksoncountyfair.org and includes general fair information, a map of the fairgrounds, lists of events and show venues and more.
The food stands operated by Brownstown Christian Church, Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. John’s Sauers Lutheran Church and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church will all be open and offering their fair mainstays, along with Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association and Pork Producers and the Jackson County Conservation Clubs.
The website was able to be enhanced in the winter, Martin said, and it’s in the works to have show and contest results posted this year.