MORRIS TOWNSHIP — One hundred seventy-four years have passed at the Knox County Fair. The latest edition begins on Sunday, July 21.
“I feel when I look at 175 years (of the fair), that’s 174 years of people doing the same thing I did,” Fair Board President Jim Ruhl said. “I just try to keep the tradition going.”
In those 174 years, the Knox County Fair has changed immensely — adding new attractions, shows and performers, with a common denominator being the Junior Fair.
“We give what the community wants to see,” Ruhl said. “The fair is driven by the Junior Fair.”
Changes to this year’s fair
Performers are taking center stage at the grandstand this year.
Friday night will have live musicians at the grandstand: The Cadillac Three, Mark Wills & Preston Cooper.
Ticket booths three and four will have cash and card options, Ruhl said, which is a first for the fair.
“We’re trying to get more automated,” Ruhl said.
Amusement rides will cost $15 for a wristband on Sunday through Wednesday and $17 on Thursday through Saturday. Sunday will only be kiddie rides.
Hours for Sunday are noon to 8 p.m.; 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
The fair will have afternoon and evening harness racing on July 20, with post times at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. In between, weiner dogs will take the track for racing at 5 p.m. at the grandstands.
Ruhl said the event has the capacity for 40 dogs. Also, admission is free on July 20.
Knox County Fair schedule
Below is the schedule for the 175th Knox County Fair.
Sunday
- 4-H 9 a.m. Junior Fair 4-H Vegetable Flower Specimen Judging
- SA 10 a.m. Junior Fair Market Rabbit Show
- HSA 10 a.m. Junior Fair Equine Dressage Show
- KL 1 to 8 p.m. COSI Show Times TBD
- MS 2 p.m. 31st Annual Little Miss Knox County and 2nd Annual Little Mr. Knox County
- HSA 2 p.m. Junior Fair Equine Draft Showmanship Show
- HSA 5 p.m. Junior Fair Equine Mini Show
- G 5 p.m. Grandstand Opening Ceremonies
- G 6 p.m. Truck and Tractor Pull
Monday
- MPB 9 a.m. Junior Fair Dairy Show and Showmanship
- FB 9 a.m. Grange Exhibit Judging
- DSA 9:30 a.m. Stalled Draft Horse and Draft Pony Hitch Classes
- SA 9:30 a.m. Junior Fair Market Poultry Show
- HSA 10 a.m. Junior Fair Equine English Show
- AG Noon to 9 p.m. AG Museum Open
- FB 1 p.m. Open Horticulture Judging
- KL 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. COSI Show Times TBD
- 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Rides in Operation
- MPB 3:00 P.M. Junior Fair Market and Meat Production Goat Showmanship, Followed by Meat Production.
- SA 7:00 P.M. Junior Fair Swine Show
- G 7:00 P.M. The Energy Cooperative Grandstand – Full Tilt Promotions, LLC present Figure 8 Races and Demo Derbies (Lawnmowers and Vehicles)
Tuesday
- SA 9 a.m. Junior Fair Breeding Rabbit show followed by Showmanship.
- HSA 10 a.m. Junior Fair Equine Miniature Versatilities
- DSA 10 a.m. Junior Fair Equine Draft Horse and Pony Show
- AG Noon – 9 p.m. Ag Museum Open
- MPB 1 p.m. Junior Fair Dairy Market Feeder Show and Showmanship, followed by Market Dairy Steer Show
- SA 1 p.m. Junior Fair Poultry Production Show and Showmanship
- 2 to 10 p.m. Rides in Operation
- HSA 6 p.m. Junior Fair Equine Light Horse Versatility
- MPB 7 p.m. Junior Fair Beef Feeder Show Followed by Market Beef Show
- G 7 p.m. The Energy Cooperative Grandstand – Moto Cross
Wednesday
- MPB 9 a.m. Junior Fair Market Dairy Steer Showmanship, Followed by Market Beef Showmanship and Beef Breeding Show
- SA 9 a.m. Junior Fair Dairy Goat and Pygmy Goat Showmanship, followed by Dairy Goat, Pygmy, and Pack and Costume Show (Pee Wee to follow)
- HSA 10 a.m. Junior Fair Equine Contesting Show
- DSA 10 a.m. Stalled Draft Horse and Draft Pony Fun Farm Hitch Show
- SBA Noon Junior Fair Sheep Breeding Show to be followed by Open Sheep Show
- MPB 3 p.m. Limitless Livestock Show
- MPB 4:30 p.m. Pee Wee Showmanship- All species except dairy (Starts in Multipurpose Building)
- DSA 6 p.m. Junior Fair Equine Draft Horse and Pony Decoration Show
- G 7 p.m. The Energy Cooperative Grandstand – Rough Truck & Side-by-Side Racing (Razor Style Only)
Thursday (Free Senior Citizen Day & Junior Fair Sale Day)
- JFSA 7 a.m. Junior Fair Sale Building Opens
- 8 a.m. Gates Open
- All Day Junior Fair All over and underweight animals as well as extra animals, except swine, not going through sale but going to JDC Livestock, LLC will be released and loaded following the sale of that species. The exhibitor must bring and load their animal to the trailer following the sale of that species. The exhibitor must bring their load slip as well.
- MPB 8 a.m. Junior Fair Special Awards and Hall of Fame Presentation
- MPB 8:30 a.m. Order of Junior Fair Sale of Champions in Multipurpose Arena:
- Market Rabbits
- Market Beef
- Dairy Market Feeders
- Pen of Three Market Lambs
- Market Lambs
- Turkeys
- Market Dairy Steers
- Market Goats
- Broilers
- Market Hog
- MPB Following Sale of Champions 175th Anniversary Special Plate Auction
- Sales of all the others will start immediately following the Sale of Champions and Plate Auction.
- Lunch will be available from 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. during the sales of other animals.
- MPB Approx 9:45 a.m. Order of Junior Fair Sale in multipurpose arena:
- Broilers
- Market Rabbits
- Market Dairy Steers
- Beef Feeders
- Market Beef
- SA Approx. 9:45 a.m. Order of Junior Fair Sale in Swine Arena:
- Turkeys
- Dairy Exhibitors
- Market Goats
- Market Hogs
- Market Lambs
- Dairy Market feeders
- DSA 9 a.m. Stalled Draft Horse & Draft Pony Halter Classes
- MS 10 a.m. Senior Citizen Day Event
- HSA 10 a.m. Junior Fair Equine Walk-Trot Show
- FB 1 p.m. Artistic Flower Show
- G 4 p.m. Antique Tractor Parade
- HSA 6 p.m. Junior Fair Equine Contest Challenge Show
- HP 7 p.m. Antique Tractor Pull
- G 7 p.m. The Energy Cooperative Grandstand – Rough E Rodeo
Friday
- DSA 10 a.m. Stalled Draft Horse and Draft Pony Fun Riding Show
- HSA 11 a.m. Junior Fair Equine Open/Fun Show
- SA 4 p.m. Junior Fair Clover-bud Horse Show
- MPB 5 p.m. Junior Fair Dog Show
- G 5 p.m. The Energy Cooperative Grandstand – Friday Night Concert The Cadillac Three, Mark Wills, and Preston Cooper
- DSA 6 p.m. Junior Fair Equine Draft Horse Costume Show (Draft Club members only)
- 7 p.m. Junior Fair release time for Production Poultry, Breeding Rabbits, Breeding Sheep, Meat Production Does, Pygmy Goats, and Dairy Goats
- HSA 8 p.m. Junior Fair release time for all remaining horses
Saturday
- G 10 a.m. Youth Games
- SA 10 a.m. Open Non-Terminal Market Hog
- MPB 10 a.m. Junior Fair Llama and Alpaca Show
- 11 a.m. Entries Close for Youth Gift Card Drawing
- G Noon Youth Gift Card Drawings (Must Be Present to Win)
- MS 1 p.m. Pedal Tractor Pull
- G 7 p.m. The Energy Cooperative Grandstand – OSTPA Truck and Tractor Pull Knox County Summer Clash – Night 2 – 9 Classes Pulling on 2 Tracks Track #1 – LPDT, TWD, SSDT, SMFWD Track #2 – LLPS, SS, PS, MOD, PS SEMI