Fair Parade set to 'show it' as annual rite of summer begins

Friday, July 20, 2012

With the theme "Sew It -- Grow It -- Show It" -- the 2012 Putnam County Fair Parade will roll through Greencastle tonight (Friday).

Local residents Gene and Alice Beck, honored earlier this year as Farmers of the Year at the Putnam County Ag Day celebration, are the parade marshals.

The fair parade is scheduled to make its way down Washington Street to the downtown reviewing stand (in front of the Masonic Temple at Vine and Washington) by 7 p.m.

Starting time from "the point" at Washington and Wood streets and Indianapolis Road will be 6:30 p.m.

Awards will be presented in three divisions -- Youth Division, Adult Division and Non-Competitive Class.

Streets will be closed by 5 p.m., so all parade entries should be checked in by that time.

The route for this year's parade will be same as the route used last year. Proceeding west on Washington Street, the parade will turn south on Indiana Street and east onto Seminary Street to go back to the high school or Robe-Ann Park.

However, units continuing to the fairgrounds or disbanding at that point will turn north onto Indiana Street.

Meanwhile, the Fair Board wants to start the 2012 fair with a couple of promotions for the first Friday night, July 20. Following the parade, a number of activities will unfold at the fairgrounds.

All 4-H and adult exhibits will be open for viewing, including the Industrial Tent, 4-H Exhibit Hall, Adult Open Class and Harris Hall.

Even though the carnival won't be available Friday night, as its schedule only allows for only six days during the week, there will still be activities for all ages.

Fairgoers can enjoy the music of the Houskatz band on the free stage all evening long Friday, and the Battle of the Barns, an obstacle course race for 4-H'ers, will start at 8:30 p.m. in the outside arena.

For the first time ever, the fair will have "$2 Friday" at all food concessions. Each vendor will have sample sizes available of one of their most popular items for only $2 each.

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