BATESVILLE —

Speedy and sluggish, huge and tiny vehicles are the theme of the Franklin County 4-H Fair grandstand events.

For the first time, the NAPA Auto Parts Toughest Monster Truck Tour is coming to the Brookville  fairgrounds July 16-17 at 8 p.m. 

President Dave Cook explains, “We depend on the grandstand events for a large part of our income for operations for the year. We were looking for something different and attractive for people who come to the fair. It’s been popular with young people for a long time.”

The rest of the grandstand schedule: Saturday, free antique tractor pull, noon; Wednesday, truck and tractor pull, 7 p.m.; Thursday, motocross and ATV races, 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, flat drag races, 7 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.

Monday and Tuesday  grandstand admission is $15 for one night or $25 for both. The rest of the week, admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 6-12 (5 and under free).

Two new events will draw persons to the activity tent Saturday, July 21. Proceeds from the Franklin County    4-H Goat Club’s first annual cornhole tournament from 4-6 p.m. will be used to build a goat barn. At least 15 will participate in the 6 p.m. 4-H Talent Show. “We hope people will share their gifts of music and dancing” and other skills, the president says.

Activities at the tent earlier in the week: Sunday, county hymn sing, 7 p.m.; Monday,    4-H Fashion Revue, 7:30 p.m., and Awards and 10-Year Member Recognition, 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Dance Review by Vicki's Studio of Dance, 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Total Package Gymnastics, 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, Baby Show, 6:30 p.m., and Kiddie Tractor Pull, 7 p.m.

Friday’s 6:30 p.m. livestock auction in the show ring is important.  “It monetarily supports the youth by buying their animals,” Cook notes. “We’ve had nice numbers. They don’t go real high, but they keep a nice average.”

Area residents should  go to the fair because “it shows support to the youth ... and it’s an opportunity to see your friends and neighbors.”

Many attendees enjoy scoping out creative 4-H projects. More than 500 youth finish projects. Over 100 Mini 4-H’ers also participate.  Those high numbers “show the value of 4-H and the interest people have in it,” Cook points out.

Fantastic food will continue to please hungry crowds. Tuesday’s Cattlemen’s Association Rib Eye Day has new serving times,  11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4:30-7:30 p.m. “They have bigger and better dinner plans ... and different side offerings,” he reports. 

The Pork Producers will offer “excellent smoked pork chop dinners” Wednesday  from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m.  “You can buy extra pork chops if you’re really hungry!”

Fried chicken will be sold by Kenzie’s at the Mounds each night. The Whitcomb United Methodist Church booth with its homemade pies and cakes is a good option for sitdown family meals.

Lighter fare also is available: Franklin County High School 12th Man Football Club pizza; Brownsville Masonic Lodge fish  and pork loin sandwiches, fried green tomatoes and deep fried pickles; FCHS band taco salads; FCHS Dancz Catz funnel cakes, deep fried cheese sticks and Oreos.

If the weather is scorching, lemon shakeups may perk up parched fair-goers.

Once again midway amusements are operated by Fun Time Carnival, Cincinnati.  Crowds may surge Monday and Thursday starting at 6 p.m. and Saturday  starting at 5 p.m. when $15 armbands mean unlimited rides.

The fair is completely  smokefree this summer, up from three days last year, the president says.

Queen Amanda Kaiser, Cedar Grove, chosen June 24, and her court (first runner-up KC Rae Stokes, West Harrison; second runner-up Emma Stern, Cedar Grove; and Miss Congeniality Jamie Kerr, Brookville) will make speeches and distribute ribbons all week.

Eleven volunteers  have worked hard all year to plan the festivities. In addition to Cook, the Franklin County 4-H Association consists of Vice President Gary Kerr, the gates and grandstand superintendent; Secretary Beth Kaiser, the building superintendent; and Treasurer Rex Rosenberger.

Other board members are livestock superintendent Mike R. Schwab, assistant livestock superintendents Cheryl Simmermeyer and Michael T. Schwab, assistant building superintendent Neysa Raible, track superintendent Dave Kaiser, grounds superintendent John Kerr and director Rick Hofer.

Five women at the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service assist with the fair as well: extension educators Angie Riffle and Holly Murray, family nutrition program assistant Cheryl Miller, secretaries Stephanie Graf and Jenny Kolb and summer program assistant Molly Schwab.

Debbie Blank can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.