As the school year ends, so does summer begin—which means it’s also time for fair season!
The 2024 4-H & Agricultural Exposition (4-H Fair) is planned to be held in Elkhart County from July 19-27 at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds in Goshen, Indiana (17746 County Road 34).
Only someone who’s lived under a rock their whole life wouldn’t know what this fair entails, but just in case: the 4-H Fair is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the development of youth, promotion of agriculture, and family-friendly entertainment within all of Indiana, including the grandstand series, lots of yummy treats, exhilarating youth completions, and a breadth of entertainment.
Throughout the years, the fair has evolved into one of the largest fairs in Indiana and something many look forward to and prep for every year. Starting as only 48 acres of land in the early 1900s, with strong community support, the facility has expanded to 380 acres with more than 70 structures produced with the help of a volunteer board of more than 130 members and showcasing more that 3,800 youth each year.
Pre-sale admission tickets can only be purchased through Thursday, July 18, and will be $8 prior to the 2024 fair. Gates for the fair open at 8 a.m. daily and admission tickets will be $10 at the gate; however, children under the age of 10 are always free. On top of that, admission on opening day (Friday, July 19) is only $5 with no admission fee on Sunday, July 21! For more information on specific pricing for admissions, click this link.
Each day until 11 p.m., one can expect to find rides and games on the Midway for an excursion of fun in addition to finding all of the fair food that everyone has come to crave and love. Furthermore, the grandstand series is packed and full of thrill and grandeur. Remember that grandstand seating is reserved only, and tickets must be purchased separate from admission. A list of the scheduled events are below:
- Trey Kennedy – Friday, July 19, at 8 p.m.
- Drone shows – July 19 & 20, at 9:45 p.m.
- Monster Trucks – Saturday, July 20, at 8 p.m.
- NEEDTOBREATHE – Sunday, July 21, at 8 p.m.
- Brantley Gilbert – Monday, July 22, at 8 p.m.
- For KING + COUNTRY – Tuesday, July 23, at 8 p.m.
- Truck & Tractor Pull – July 24 & 25
- Session 1 (July 24) – 6:00 p.m.
- Session 2 (July 25) – 8:00 a.m.
- Session 3 (July 25) – 6:00 p.m.
- Rodeo – Friday, July 26
- Session 1 – 1:00 p.m.
- Session 2 – 8:00 p.m.
- Demolition Derby – Saturday, July 27, at 7:30 p.m.
On top of all of the fun events just mentioned, there are concessions open showcasing a variety of clubs featuring farm animals for those wanting to see them. Junior Paige Collins is a member of two of such clubs—Saddle Club and Rabbit Club. Collins mentions more about the clubs she’s involved in, including that each concession stand has its own barn where they sell a different product relating to the animal—often the byproduct—that the club raises. “Saddle Club cheats,” she admits, “because we sell hamburgers…as you can’t kill horses here; and for Rabbit Club, the stand is called ‘Rabbit and Noodle,’ to give you a basic idea.”
Collins says that, although the attraction of the concessions is the main purpose of them, “clubs also participate in a required show at the end of the week, where clubs go in with the animal they entered, and a judge assesses the animal and ranks them on a few things compared to other animals competing. You even get the opportunity to go to state if you do well enough!” Collins gives a few examples for what rabbits are judged on: “best of breed, best opposite sex of breed, best of group, etc.”
Throughout the duration of the fair, Collins proclaims, “I love the fair! Although it can be super chaotic, it’s really enjoyable–especially with all of the events you can do because there are different events going on,” further stating, “it doesn’t mainly depend on how your animal does, but more-so on your knowledge.”
As the fair approaches and as one thinks about what grandstand events would be the best to see, what Midway excitement is in store, and what concessions to visit—have fun!
