The Vilas County Fair will return to the Vilas County Fairgrounds in Eagle River Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 13-16, with a new carnival, live entertainment, family activities and traditional fair judging throughout the four-day event.
New this year, Spectrum Entertainment will provide the carnival, replacing the fair’s previous operator.
“Our old carnival retired, so we had to get a new one,” said Jeff Kordus, a Vilas County Fair Board member. “It’s going to be a few more rides, some more adult rides and stuff like that for bigger kids.”
The fair also welcomes the Northwoods Explorers of Space and Astronomy, which will offer hands-on educational activities for children throughout the weekend.
“We’re trying to add a little bit more every year,” Kordus said.
Throughout the fair, visitors can enjoy Casady’s Critters, featuring a petting zoo, pony rides and baby kangaroo photo opportunities. Additional attractions include exhibits, chainsaw-carving art, face painting and a beer garden. Food and beverages will be available on the fairgrounds.
A longstanding Northwoods tradition, the fair is expected to draw approximately 5,000 visitors over four days, Kordus said.
Highlights of each day’s schedule include:
Thursday
The fair opens Thursday with the midway from 5 to 10 p.m., featuring $35 unlimited-ride wristbands. Flower and vegetable judging begins at 7 p.m. and is open to the public, followed by live music from Sugar Camp’s Bogfoot from 7 to 11 p.m.
Friday
On Friday, judging begins at 9 a.m. in food and nutrition, home furnishings and cultural arts, clothing and needle arts, photography and junior classes. The public is welcome to observe the judging. The midway opens at noon, with $40 unlimited-ride wristbands available until 10 p.m. Comedy juggler Dan Kirk will perform at 2 and 4 p.m. Woodworking judging begins at 3 p.m., followed by wine judging. Live music by Nolium runs from 7 to 11 p.m.
Saturday
Saturday’s schedule includes the midway from noon to 10 p.m., with $40 unlimited-ride wristbands. From noon to 4 p.m., the Vilas County libraries will host hands-on activities, while the Roots and Shoots Garden Club will offer gardening advice. Elmer Jensen of Muskies Inc. will present a fishing demonstration from 1 to 2 p.m., and the Northwoods Explorers of Space and Astronomy will offer interactive activities from 1 to 4 p.m. Dan Kirk returns with performances at 2 and 3:30 p.m., followed by the Lena Mini Modified Garden Tractor Pullers at 4 p.m. Highway 141 Band performs from 7 to 11 p.m.
Sunday
Sunday begins with a horseshoe tournament at 11 a.m. The midway will be open from noon to 5 p.m., with $35 unlimited-ride wristbands available.
Children’s games, including vegetable races, gunny sack races, a watermelon-eating contest and a water balloon toss, will take place from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, with ribbons awarded to participants.
During the vegetable races, children build race cars from vegetables donated by Trig’s before racing them down a ramp.
“Trig’s donates a bunch of bigger cucumbers,” Kordus said. “Kids build their own little race car, and we have a ramp for them to race down. It’s quite popular.”
The Vilas County libraries and the Roots and Shoots Garden Club return from noon to 4 p.m., while the Northwoods Explorers of Space & Astronomy will host activities from 1 to 4 p.m. Dan Kirk performs at 2 p.m., and Old Pine Road closes out the fair with live music from 2 to 5 p.m.
The Vilas County Fairgrounds are located at 164 S. Forest St., off Highway 70 West, in Eagle River. Admission is free. Parking is available adjacent to the fairgrounds for $7 through the Phelps-Land O’ Lakes Lions Club. Pets are not permitted on the fairgrounds except certified service animals.
For more information, visit vilascountyfair.com or call 715-479-2057.
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