Thanks to all of the pro-fair comments; I was a 4-H'er, and it taught me a lot of life lessons-- cooperation, leadership, teamwork, volunteering, etc. There is no way it could be done in three days, and as for the entertainment, people are never happy. If they get a rock band, it is no good, if they get a youth-oriented band, it is no good, etc. etc. The fair board should be commended for all they are able to accomplish year after year. To get back to the original intent of the comments: Janesville should have a 4th of July event, but some group should step up to the plate immediately and begin to solicit funds for it. I hope some group can find success because the 4th is one of my favorite holidays-- always laid back, enjoyable!

anotherdoor- What 4-H judging happens after the fair ends?

I think they should team up with FreedomFest like Beloit does with WinterFest.

I think snazzy's right. There is A LOT of 4-H judging that goes on both before the fair begins & after it ends. What's four more days of it. After 45 years living in the town, the fair has become a real drag. I avoid the area like I avoid the plague while it's going on. I also agree that it should GET OUT OF TOWN!

A Slumberland Furniture Member Appreciates Our Janesville Neighbors!

I had the pleasure to see our new Slumberland Furniture Store in Janesville three days ago and have been working to get it ready for our Grand Opening on Aug. 1st.

That isn't the point! The point is that I was totally impressed by the friendliness, cleanliness and excellent service of both 'The Dollar Tree' and that of 'Perkin's Resturant', when I stopped in to get coffee to go!..Our new neighbors.

I loved the service and food at 'Taco John's' too! As part of Slumberland's new members to the Janesville Community, I certainly want to say 'Thank You' to all who've I had the pleasure to meet and be served by!

Together, Janesville...We Will Sing!

Your New Pal..Bill Lohr
Slumberland Furniture, Janesville

The FFA Alumni have worked extremely hard over a number of years to put on the festivities that they do and it shows by the huge crowds they attract each year.

However, why should Milton lose the money that their 4th brings into that community?

jeremy - good points! All one has to do is visit the Jefferson Cty fairgrounds to see how Rock Cty has dropped the ball on our own fairgrounds. Had we done something during the economic boom of the 90's, we would not be reaping the ineffectiveness of our Rock County board which is too large, too bureaucratic to make a sound decision. Janesville being the CTY seat could host fireworks for the whole county at a nice state of the art fairground facility. All municipalities would be required to divert a small portion of the cost (based on population)to a general fund to pay for the celebration (it is USA's B.D. party after all), and everybody could enjoy it. Why do we need seperate celebrations and firework displays for each community? What a shame we can't come together and celebrate our countries birthday.......

If Janesville would set aside county land for a new fairgrounds soon it would be very beneficial for the community. The fair is a shambles because of lack of space for events and dilapidated buildings. The fireworks have gone done the crapper the last couple of years and have been struggling for many more. Its nice that is was moved out for Traxler because of the lack of parking and shotty neighborhood. The youths Sports Complex is a nice area but is too close to a nicer residential area, these people can now watch from their own yards and not spend much needed money at the carnival. If we would finally push for the fairgrounds to be moved to a larger locating,like out by the jail, it would be multi purpose.There would be plenty of off street parking and we could finally revive the family events that are dieing in this city. I no longer go to the fair here, I opt to go to Jefferson because of the variety of events offered there.Nor do I go to the fireworks anymore because the only diehards there seem to be the people lured to the beer tent.Where is the "family events" in this city

RMOFL...there is absolutely no way you can get all of the judging and animal auctions into just 3 days. As it is we have MANY prefair judgings such as shooting sports, nature space, photography,dogs,cats,horses,food revue and oh so much more. The fur and feather sale alone is almost a whole day event LOL.
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The fair is about the kids!!! And at what ? $22.00 for a season pass that is cheap entertainment for a whole week! Oh and by the way most of the music is country because that is what the people like. Polls done year after year show this.

I think Janesville needs to spend their money on stuff that matters not some dumb firework show

Snazzy...I agree with MaryFan completely.
The Rock County Fair is not all about the prices, entertainment, etc. It's about these kids showing off what they have accomplished over the past year. It brings these kids together as a whole to show Rock County what they can do. I'm a member of the Parker FFA and I'm on the 2008 Court of Honor and I'm sorry if you (Snazzy) are more worried about the prices and your dislike of the entertainment...then don't come to the fair! Stay Home! And by the way I think the entertainment is beyond wonderful! It's terrific and I enjoy it very much!

If Janesville wants to have a all city 4th of July celebration by all means go for it! I don't ever go to it anyways.

Snazzy....The fair is the Rock County 4-H Fair...it is not about rides or concerts. It is about youth exhibitors. It could never be combined into 3 days.... I have 3 kids so far in 4-H and we have judging almost all day EVERY day of the fair except Friday. And guess what...the fair is not about farm animals either! With all that judging, we are city dwellers and the only animals we show are guinea pigs.

Ya know what people.. Ever heard these words.. "it's not about you!".. Most people go to these fireworks to... "Take their children".. If you don't have children.. don't want to go.. THEN DON'T GO!.. JEEPERS! is there nothing this generation won't touch?

it is sad when people are always sad. go for some zoloft.

ms_sassy_wi: I agree with your comment. It's the fireworks that people really want on the Fourth ... the rest is just fluff for many of us.

I think a one-day festival ON THE 4th of JULY is what's needed in this city. It doesn't need to be a long, drawn out week-long thing. If people have a "sense of urgency" they will go on the one day, where the children will undoubtedly have a good time and will be a celebration of our nation's independence, with a fireworks display in the evening. It doesn't have to be "bigger and better than last year". There is enough "keeping up with the Joneses" around here. If people are interested, they will come!

Now would be a good time to start fund raising for next year if it's sooooo important. Don't wait until the last minute to beg for money people don't have. Hit up the well-heeled families around Janesville. The ones not worrying about mortgages, layoffs, unemployment, foreclosures and squeezing the last dime out of their budget to take care of everyday things.

its sad when a city of 50K + cant put on a 4th celebration.... milton has had problems in the past, but someone always steped up to the plate.. for many years now it the FFA alumni

they werent even responsible enough to pick up the donation jars,and by the way wheres our money that we donated,that wasnt used for the 4th of july.

I rather watch the church fireworks than deal with Janesville festivel maybe they should go together or work something out.