Greencastle Banner-Graphic: Blog: Fair Week is Coming! Fair Week is Coming!

Fair Week is Coming! Fair Week is Coming!

Posted Saturday, July 11, 2009, at 11:14 AM
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I was a 10-year 4-H'er.

I showed swine, rabbits (market and companion) and my dog, as well as taking a plethora of exhibit hall projects.

It's a busy week here at the paper when fair rolls around, but I still love it. For me, the 4-H fair brings back great memories -- and proves that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

When I was in 4-H, I lived at the fairgrounds. Once the shows and judging were over, I still had to take care of my animals and participate in work projects (our big thing that I remember was a lemonade stand) with my group. Most of my friends showed horses, so I would spend a lot of nights in their campers with them rather than going home.

Although most of our time at the fairgrounds was dedicated to work, we made time for fun things, too.

It was usually 8 or 9 at night when we were finally able to go down to the midway to ride rides, play games and see who had made it out for the fair that night. The midway was, as it is now, a wonderland of flashing lights, ringing bells and buzzing buzzers. I still love the smells of popcorn, cotton candy and deep-fryer oil mingling together in the excitement-charged air.

It's different for me now. I still love the fair, and I think the Putnam County one is phenomenal. But when I attended the fair in Branch County, Michigan ... where I was a 4-H kid ... I knew pretty much everyone. By the time fair rolled around last year, I'd been in Greencastle a little over two months. I knew some people, but by and large, the fairgrounds were a sea of unfamiliar faces to me.

I'm looking forward to this year. I've been here over a year, and although I know I'm still considered a "newcomer" by many, I've spent the last 14 months meeting amazing people, making friends and doing my level best to truly become a part of this community.

I think I'm going to know a lot more people at the fair this year, and I think they're going to know me.

I'm excited about fair week this year ... just like I used to be when I was a kid.

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Hi,

Why is it in all the discussions and recent articles about the County Fair No one includes the dates and times of the Fair? As does this blog. is it illegal to inform others about the dates and times? Is it a form of paid advertising that the banner wants to get paid for? This is very frusterating for a busy person like myself.

There was a recent large editorial article about the County Fair but it too failed the dates and time.

-- Posted by bradez on Sat, Jul 11, 2009, at 1:02 PM

Monday June 29th edition of the Banner Graphic there was an article with fair dates.....Guess you missed it. You must have been to busy making petty comments about something else....did you ever think about contacting the coopperative extension office about Fair happenings?

-- Posted by Just_Me on Mon, Jul 13, 2009, at 1:01 AM

Hello. I was wondering if someone could explain to me how the whole fair thing works. I just moved to the area, about 20 miles from Greencastle, and don't really understand it. I did some research online, but still I'm stumped. What parts can anyone go to? What parts are 4-H only vs. open to the public? Where is it? Is it certain times each day? What exactly is there? I don't mean to sound stupid; just that where I come from (very urban area) we didn't have anything like this. Perhaps a beginner's guide would help!

I didn't mean to miss the article that may have contained this information, though the newspapers back home often published a little inset box with the who, what, where so that readers would know the basics. My area was heavily populated with military so there was always a turnover of new folks needing to be educated about the ins and outs of annual events. I've noticed that population turnover is not quite so high in this area, which may explain why it's difficult for a newcomer, like myself, to figure out the details of something with which a long-time resident has much experience.

Guidance is truly appreciated.

-- Posted by sendmailthere on Mon, Jul 13, 2009, at 10:48 PM

Go to www.putnamcountyfair.net and you will see an icon for 2009 Fair Schedule. Since June 29 was awhile ago, you really shouldn't expect everyone to remember something from that far back.

-- Posted by whodouthinkur on Tue, Jul 14, 2009, at 7:14 AM

Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting someone to recall every detail. I thought maybe someone who worked it or had been to it a few times might be able to give an overview. The website you gave is very good for listing the events. I'll do some more research and see if I can find the information, like location, cost, etc. elsewhere. Thank you and again I apologize for any inconvenience I've caused.

-- Posted by sendmailthere on Tue, Jul 14, 2009, at 8:09 AM

http://www.extension.purdue.edu/Putnam/4...

This site is 4-H information that will help you.

-- Posted by PCgrown on Tue, Jul 14, 2009, at 9:22 AM

go to www.putnamcountyfair.net

This will tell you the complete schedule.

-- Posted by whodouthinkur on Tue, Jul 14, 2009, at 12:08 PM

I'm sorry if you misread my blog. I meant to say that the banner hasn't put a complete listing of events for the fair into their paper. Just_me, sendmailthere was asking a legitimate question and had legitimate concerns. After all, she just moved to the area. Don't be so hateful to someone who has just moved into our town/county!!!!!! You should have been nicer.

-- Posted by whodouthinkur on Tue, Jul 14, 2009, at 12:14 PM

http://www.extension.purdue.edu/Putnam/4...

Note: this website is from the Putnam Co. 4-H website/Extension Office. If you want to watch anything 4-H related you should look at that schedule. The other schedule & fairbooks can have mistakes for the 4-H events. This is what I was told when my daughter was at judging tonight.

-- Posted by PCgrown on Tue, Jul 14, 2009, at 9:35 PM

sendmailthere:I am a 10 year member as well, and have been out of 4-H for a few years. I hope my information will be helpful to you.

The fair is on Hwy 231 North of the square in Greencastle.

As far as I know, there are no areas that are for 4-H exhibitors only. There are shows in the main arena almost every day of the fair. Anyone is welcome to come watch 4-Hers show their animals. For example Monday is Swine show day, Tuesday is cattle, Wednesday is sheep, etc. Visitors are welcome to walk through the barns to see all of the animals. There is also an exhibit hall where you can see the 4-H projects like photography and art. There is also an adult exhibit for people who are from Putnam County who are not in 4-H and want to enter crafts and other projects as well. There is also an entertainment tent with vendors that is open during the evening as well as carnival rides.

I think our fair is really great. I don't have a chance to go as much as I used to, but I really feel that it is a great thing for our community and one of the best fairs around!

I hope this helps, if you have anymore questions don't be afraid to ask!

-- Posted by collegegrad09 on Tue, Jul 21, 2009, at 12:40 PM

I forgot to mention that it is $5 to park, $10 for a weekly parking pass. Other than that there aren't any other expenses unless you want food or to ride the rides. Looking at animals or other exhibits is free as far as I know.

-- Posted by collegegrad09 on Tue, Jul 21, 2009, at 12:43 PM

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