Submitted by Allison Jamison, ISU Summer Intern for the Madison County Fair & Livestock Association, here’s a taste of what you can find at the Madison County Fairgrounds next week. Allison writes, “The Madison County Fair is happening July 19-23 at the Madison County Fairgrounds in Winterset, Iowa. There are activities for all ages. Bring the entire family out for a day or night of fun, and you won’t have to break the bank to do it! There is free front gate admission and plenty of free entertainment throughout the day. The Moto Maniacs will be performing at the fair this year on the free entertainment lawn near the Varied Industries Building. You will find Mr. Nick’s Balloon Animal Creations, face painting, and the Little Farmer Barn petting zoo in the same area. Also, check out the wide variety of livestock from local 4-H exhibitors throughout the week, and catch a livestock show in the North or South show rings.

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Day Care Day is Thursday, July 20th at the fair. The conservation station by ISU Extension and Iowa Learning Farms will be there on Thursday for kids and adults to explore and learn about conservation. There will be a horseshoe pitching contest and the celebrity swine show on Friday afternoon. The Next Generation Carnival opens at 5:00 pm daily, and Saturday, Kid’s Day at the carnival, children can ride as often as they like from 1-5 pm with the purchase of a $15 arm band. On Sunday, July 23rd, Cowboy Church, the Farm Bureau Cook-Out Contest, and the Farmer Chore Olympics will help wrap up a great week at the fair.

Day Care Day at the fair is Thursday, June 20th, and Kids Day is Saturday, the 22nd. Lots of free fun for kids and families!

There is plenty to keep your family busy during the day, but the party comes alive at night. To kick off the fair, the King and Queen will be crowned Wednesday night at 6:30 pm in the North Show Ring. The fun continues with Beck’s Hybrids Truck Pull starting at 7 pm at the Motor Arena. Local talents will perform at the Bill Riley Talent Show in the North Show ring at 5:30 pm Thursday night. Also, the roughest and toughest cowboys come to town on Thursday and Friday night, and the Rodeo starts at 8 pm in the Grandstands. If you like mud, then Saturday and Sunday are the nights for you at the Motor Arena. The Circle Track Mud Run starts at 7 pm on Saturday night, and the Mud Bog is Sunday night at 7 pm as the final fair event. All motor arena or grandstand night show admission is $8 for adults (12 and up), $4 for children (ages 6-11), and children 5 and under are free.

For more information and a full schedule of events please visit our website: madisoncountyfair.net. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook at Madison County Fair, Iowa and follow us on Twitter at @MadCtyIAFair to keep up to date on everything that is happening at the fair. We hope to see you there!” — Allison Jamison

This Weekend

Re:home is open this weekend, getting an early start on their summer clearance sale. They’ll be open next weekend (July 20-22) and July 28-29 for the Krazy Dayz celebration also!

Winterset Ballet & Dance Studio is hosting a Teddy Bear Picnic Dance Party for two and three year olds this Saturday, July 15th from 10:00 to 11:00 am at their studio, 224 Hwy 92 E, Suite D in Winterset. The cost is $20. Contact Nicole fore more information, 515-201-9403 or nicole@wintersetdance.com

On Saturday morning at 10:30, the Winterset Public Library invites people of all ages to experience Japanese culture through the art of Taiko, a traditional Japanese instrument used in festivals and musical performances around the world. Following the presentation, participants can try playing Taiko! This event is co-sponsored by the City of Winterset Friendship Exchange Commission, the Japan America Society of Iowa, and the Library.

Winterset is preparing to host incoming students and chaperones from Japan at the end of this month. Last year, our student ambassadors from Winterset enjoyed a Taiko drum demonstration and lesson on their first night in Japan. If you look closely, you can see some Winterset students enjoying their time immensely!

The Madison County Farmers Market continues to welcome shoppers every Saturday morning from 8:00 am to Noon, through early October, on the Winterset courthouse square.

On Saturday evening, join the Iowa Quilt Museum in welcoming a new exhibit, “Innovation Meets Tradition: Judy Martin Quilts.” Judy is a quilter and author in Grinnell, Iowa, and this exhibit will focus on her latest work with log cabin and lone star quilts. Guests at the reception will enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres, view the exhibit of Judy’s latest work with Log Cabin and Lone Star quilts, and meet the quilter herself. Admission to the reception is $10 and can be purchased in advance or at the door.

Covered Bridges Winery invites you to join them for Music at the Winery on Saturday evening, July 15th, featuring Tony Valdez and Don Jacques. There is a $5 cover at the door, and music is from 7:00-10:00 pm. Food will be available by Parlo Pizza from 6:30-8:30 pm. Weather permitting, the music will be held outdoors. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy!

The Iowa is showing “Cars 3” this weekend, and a new movie opens on July 20: “Spider Man: Homecoming.”

Our friends in St. Charles are hosting their annual Old Settlers Celebration this weekend, July 14-15, and all the details can be found here. Don’t miss the Opus Taylor Band on Saturday night at 8:30.

Also this Saturday evening at 7:00 pm, the Blackwood Brothers Quartet Gospel Concert will be held at the Warren Cultural Center.

Coming Soon

This coming Monday at the Winterset Library:

Last I heard, there were still some spots open in the Chipmunk Camp for children ages 7-12, hosted by the Madison County Conservation Board. Contact Amy Holley at naturalist@madisoncountyparks.org to inquire!

Coming soon, on July 25th: A Culinary History of Iowa with author Darcy Maulsby, at the Winterset Public Library:

The Winterset Community School District is hosting a Back to School Health Fair to assist families of Winterset district students with necessary health services prior to the start of school in August. Parents and/or guardians must also attend. No insurance cards required.

The 2017 Fun in the Sun Car Show at the Madison County Historical Complex is planned for Saturday, July 29th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

A long-time Winterset tradition, “Krazy Dayz” for the downtown Winterset merchants will be held on July 28-29, with sidewalk sales from 8:00 to 4:00. You’ll find great deals on everything you can imagine and then some.

On Wednesday, July 26, boys and girls going into grades 2-6 are invited to participate in a Tennis Rally hosted by the Winterset Parks and Recreation Department, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at City Tennis Courts. This is a no-fee event, just a fun-filled day of tennis match play, games and contests. Prizes will be awarded. Balls and racquets will be provided. All skill levels are welcome. Bring a sack lunch and your swim suit, because free swimming at the aquatic center will follow the rally. Call 515-462-1114 or email davisr@cwmu.net to register. Also, July 28th will be the last day to register for WPRD’s Youth Sports Camp, happening August 14th-17th from 10:00 am to Noon. Camp will be held at various parks in the city, and two different sports will be featured each day (frisbee golf and bocce ball on Monday, tennis and soccer on Tuesday, golf and basketball on Wednesday, and t-ball and flag football on Thursday.) It’s a great way to get your little one to try different activities. Equipment and instruction will be provided for all activities. Fee $30. Again, email for more information, or register online.

The freshly resurfaced city tennis courts look so inviting!

Finally, it’s time to register for the annual Cannonball Pump & Run (1 Mile & 5K), hosted by the Winterset Rotary Club on August 5th. In this unique event, participants bench press their body weight (or a percentage of their body weight) as many times as possible, then run a mile or a 5K. Each successful repetition of the bench press earns competitors 15 seconds off their finish time in the race. The winner of each age division will be the fastest time after deductions have been made, thus demonstrating both endurance and strength. Lifting begins at 7:00 am, and the run starts at 8:30. Register online right here.

That’s all for now. Thank you for reading The Winterset Citizen! All community announcements are provided at no charge, courtesy of the following sponsors: