Grump all you want, but I love the fair!
It's one of my favorite weeks of the summer - 4H fair week! At the direction of my kids I've made several trips past the grounds this weekend to see the tents and food court rise from the ground. It's exciting! We love the fair.
The best part of the Rock County 4H Fair is that it's a county fair held right in the middle of the city. I know there was a movement a few years ago to relocate the fair to the County complex and between Janesville and Beloit. I'm sure a larger and newer venue would have been neat, but it would have lost the charm.
It's not the biggest or the newest but once the fair is set with all the rides and exhibits the parcel of land in Janesville seems to double in size. The old grandstand doesn't seem as old and the memories of wandering the midway as a kid erase thoughts of a bad week.
It's once a year and I always choose to enjoy it. Others want to grump. Go ahead and grump. This year your grumps will be muffled by the big hair of Tesla (and other groups). Will there be a N'Sync this year - a fair act in the late 90's, or Garth Brooks - another act just before he hit it big? You never know!
Last but not least are the exhibits. Kids from all over the county will be showing animals and projects that they've been working on all year! City slickers can take a look where our food comes from...and it's not from Stop N Go.
Are you going to the fair? I am and I'm looking forward to it!
Steve Knox was born, raised and landed back in Janesville. He encourages you to participate as he writes on Janesville and beyond as this Generation X guy supports his Janesville mission, global vision. Steve is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
Jul 25, 2012 at 12:10 a.m.
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I think the fair is great too. Reminds me of when I was a youth at the Rock County 4-H fair.
The creampuffs and eclairs at the Rock County 4-H fair are the greatest AND 100% of the profits go to 4-H youth for scholarships and club programs. The Old Fashioned Bakery gives the 4-H a very good price and the tent is 100% volunteer labor -so you are totally supporting 4-H youth when you purchase your cream puffs at the fair.
Jul 24, 2012 at 11:59 p.m.
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Thanks for the pricing update, Rawhide. Season passes are great....you don't have to feel rushed to see it all in one day. :)
Jul 24, 2012 at 5:15 a.m.
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i am also excited for the fair. my daughter is in river valley 4h and she has already won 2 blue ribbins( one in photagraph and one in archery) and we will soon see what she will get in food =)
Jul 23, 2012 at 4:31 p.m.
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Purrmaid, the regular priced adult admission is up to $8 this year. I think we'll be purchasing season passes this year.
http://gazettextra.com/news/specialsecti...
Jul 23, 2012 at 3:45 p.m.
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Love, love, love the Rock County 4-H Fair! Always have, always will right down to the last creaky building and hot barn full of cows. There's no rule that says you can only go to one fair so while I respect those who tout other county fairs, I still like "ours" the best and will check out the others if I have time. As older relatives pass away, revisiting these places brings back memories I cherish because of family time spent at the fair. Mom passed away in November, but she lives on in memories of getting her class projects ready for the education building, or her holding my hand and keeping me close in the crowds, or memories of my sister crocheting until dawn to complete her baby afghan. My best friend since third grade was killed in a head on crash, but seeing the grandstand brings back memories of seeing B.J. Thomas and others when we were giddy teens. Making great memories is well worth the $7 entry fee.
Jul 23, 2012 at 1:49 p.m.
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That'll do Steve, That'll do.
Jul 23, 2012 at 1:25 p.m.
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A winning blog. Who doesn't love the fair?
Jul 23, 2012 at 12:51 p.m.
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Amen, Steve. While it is not the biggest or most fancy, it is ours. I am a city girl who relishes the opportunity to learn about all of the wonderful opportunities brought to us by our ag neighbors. Cheap entertainment, and some optional not-so-cheap entertainment make it one of my favorite weeks, too. Here's to the Fair!
Jul 23, 2012 at 12:07 p.m.
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No parking? Never had a problem but I am willing to walk a couple blocks.
I go every year and walk the barns, takes me back to my cattle showing days (in a much smaller county) and sleeping over night at the fairgrounds. Some serious Tom Foolery occured there.
I do miss the beer tent, tractor pulls, harness racing and the demo derby to close out fair.
Jul 23, 2012 at 12:03 p.m.
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I'd rather go to the Jefferson or Walworth county fairs, they are a much better value plus much easier to find parking.
Jul 23, 2012 at 11:44 a.m.
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I do have to say, their cream puff provider leaves a bit to desire -- I'll get my treats from Rollin Pin Wed-Saturday at Choice Cleaners on Memorial Drive!!!
Jul 23, 2012 at 11:41 a.m.
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The price is right and it's fun fun fun!!! I like the huge number of exhibits and that it is still a 4H and FFA fair.
Jul 23, 2012 at 10:44 a.m.
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lol- email from you said you were done. Just say you are not done and be done with saying I am done.
"charm" old nasty building and grandstands??
Cannot find a place to park.
GO to Jefferson fair once. Very nice and tidy.
I would like to enjoy a wine cooler as well with my corn dog.
Jul 23, 2012 at 9:49 a.m.
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I love the fair! Can't make it to the Rock Co Fair but I'm looking forward to State Fair. Great family event.
Jul 23, 2012 at 9:24 a.m.
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Me too! I love it. I have to admit that the nostalgia is a big draw for me. The nostalgia, and the funnel cake....and seeing the chicks hatch...and mini donuts....and getting to see cows up close...ok, ok, so there isn't much I don't like about the fair.
I'm not sure if they've done it in the past, but there is a shuttle running from Creston Park Mall to the fairgrounds to help with parking. More info on that and everything else is available at www.rockcounty4hfair.com
Jul 23, 2012 at 8:16 a.m.
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I am very excited to see Tesla. I have seen them in the past and they are very good. My daughter is looking forward to her first "Rock" concert.
Jul 23, 2012 at 6:27 a.m.
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Kiddo is exhibiting so we will be there all day every day...wouldn't miss it even if she wasn't showing her 4H & FFA projects.
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I think for the $7 entry fee you get a lot of great things to do from viewing the kids woodworking, mechanical science, photography,sewing,visual arts, foods nutrition, computers projects (and more) to visiting the animals. Then there is the corn box for little ones and watching the baby ducks climb then slide down the slide in the ag tent. There are going to be veggie races down in the Block building, the hatching trailer where you can watch baby chicks break free of their eggs. Many of the tents have free games for the kids...I know at least one of them has some really neat prizes every year, oh did I mention some kids acts in food court stage...
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Adults can enjoy music acts as well that are put on in the food court tent, Last year they had Jessie Arron ELIVIS impersonator. Then there is the 4H HEATWAVE members who preform a wonderful show. MOST of the nightly grandstand shows are included with the admission price so that is a great value...Yes some complain that this year you have to pay more to see Josh Turner, but even that is cheap compared to a actual concert ticket elsewhere...do you know how much it costs to book these events WOW It amazes me that they do keep the grandstand show free for the most part.
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Oh yeah and you don't have to buy food, bring a picnic and some drinks...maybe buy a cream puff to complete your fair experience :) For $7 (adult ticket) you can have an ENTIRE DAY of fun... Come on out and join us...support the 4H & FFA youth and have a little fun. See you there.
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