4-H Fair to boast a blend of old and new

AMBOY - The 2012 Lee County 4-H Fair & Jr. Show, July 26-29, boasts a blend of old and new events harkening back to the old-fashioned county fairs. Gates open at noon, Thursday, July 26, at the Lee County 4-H Center & Fairgrounds, located 1/2 mile east of the junction of routes 52 and 30 near Amboy. Four days of old-fashioned fair fun include a carnival, daily livestock shows, general project displays, tractor/truck pulls, daily free kids' activities, great fair food, and even more great fair fun.

Thursday's events include a blood drive, bingo hosted by Dixon Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, the 7th Annual Cruise Night sponsored by 3-D Sound Co., and tractor/truck and garden tractor pull. Also enjoy Italian beef served by the Lee County Farm Bureau Young Leaders Committee.

Thursday's event line-up also includes a Kiddie Carnival, Ladies Night beginning at 6 p.m., with a cooking demonstration and door prizes from local home-based businesses.

Friday, July 27, join us for Kids' Korner at 1 p.m. Make mud pies, create a fair souvenir, read a book, and make a craft. That evening celebrate the day's achievements at the awards ceremony, which includes the announcement of the Friend of the Fair, the crowning of the 2012 4-H King and Queen and the Quality Meats and Baked Goods Auction. The day ends with a spin on a traditional livestock show, the "Celebrity Showmanship Contest".

New in the grandstand Saturday, July 28, is Side-By-Side Dirt Drags and Mud Bogs at 6 p.m.

Sunday, July 29, the fair pays tribute to King Corn with the Master Corn Grower Contest, corn husking contest, and a free corn boil. Corn is donated by Del-Monte. Other activities include the pedal pull (11 a.m.), Touch-A-Truck (1 p.m.), Big Wheel Races (3 p.m.) and the 3rd Annual Fair Car and Truck Show. Registration opens at 11:30 a.m. Trophies are awarded at 3:30 p.m. The Lee Co. Fair Open Speed Show begins at 1 p.m. and is open for ages eight and up.

In the grandstand, pulling fans can take in two nights of tractor/truck and garden tractor pulls - July 26 and 27 at 6 p.m.

Other events this year include the Wrench N Run RC Club, Ladies of Country, a musical tribute by Eileen Quest, Pin Dodge Ball, and the Farm Scene Contest.

All events are subject to change. For a full fair schedule, gate and grandstand admission and more information visit us on the web at www.leecounty4hcenter.com or call (815) 857-2603.