WEST LIBERTY, Iowa — This year’s Muscatine County Fair, which begins Wednesday, July 18, and runs through Sunday, July 22, includes some changes fit for a queen.

“We decided that change is good,” said Lori Gosenberg, who is beginning her first year as fair manager.

 The Fair’s opening day includes a revamped Muscatine County Fair Queen Contest at 5 p.m. in the Grove area of the Fairgrounds.

Rick Crooks of Iowa City is the new superintendent of the contest which will feature 14 contestants this year as compared to the six to eight young women who entered in prior years.

“Rick’s had a lot of pageant experience and he’s charged things up a bit,” Gosenberg said.

Instead of having first-, second- and third-runners-up, this year’s pageant will feature a Fair Queen and a Fair Princess. A Miss Congeniality and Miss Leadership will also be selected.    Gosenberg said Crooks has been successful at bringing in more donations for the contest, which means bigger stakes for the contestants.

The 2007 Fair Queen will receive $250 in cash and a $500 scholarship in addition to her crown and sash this year.

Last year, the title fetched a $50 cash prize and a $100 scholarship.

In the grandstand

This year’s grandstand offerings include two new events. Motorcycle races at 2 p.m. Sunday at the West Liberty Raceway will replace the demolition derby. Gosenberg said rising insurance costs made the derby too expensive to continue.

All-terrain vehicle drag races, which begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, are another new grandstand event. 

Fun passes cover admission to these shows, or, single admissions can be purchased after a daily admission fee is paid.

Daily admission to the fair includes live entertainment in the Grove area where performances by the Sheltered Reality Drum Corp, vocalist Megan Weber, the Dancin’ Grannies, vocalist Jamie DeMoss and the River City Idols are scheduled to perform during the Fair.

Daily admission also includes  all the exhibits presented for judging as well as the Fair Queen Contest.

Other attractions include  shows put on by the returning Chris Short Marionettes and the new, All-American Lumberjack Show with log rolling and chain artist.

Gosenberg said the Lumberjack show team will set up workshops for children after its members arrive at the fair.

Another new act, Cowboy Kahuna DJ & Karaoke, will perform at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Grove.

On the traditional side, the Tipton Lions Club returns with its horse-drawn trolley.

Daily admission also includes viewing of various competitive  exhibits including livestock, baked goods and flower arrangements.

Extra copies of the fair premium books, which list the exhibit categories, are available at the fair office at 101 N. Clay St. in West Liberty, Gosenberg said.

Returning activities include  Mutton Bustin’, a for-fun competition where children attempt  to stay on a frisky sheep, at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

This year’s fair also features the new Home Brew contest sponsored by Millstream Brewing Co. out of Cedar Rapids. Contestants are invited to enter home-brewed beer, mead or cider at the Fair’s open-class building from 8 a.m.-noon, Saturday, July 21. No preregistration is required. Judging takes place from 1-3 p.m. that day with winners announced at 4 p.m.

The Farm Bureau Cookout Contest returns to the Fair Saturday after a 13-year absence. This event, held in the Grove area, offers competition in a variety of categories and $75 first-place cash prizes.  Set-up for the grilling contest begins at 10 a.m. with judging at noon. Contestants bring their own grill and grilling ingredients and the Farm Bureau will reimburse them for the meat they use in the contest. Winners will be eligible to compete at the Iowa State Fair, Gosenberg said.

The city of West Liberty welcomes the Fair with the annual Muscatine County Fair Parade at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 15. The West Liberty Chamber of Commerce sponsors the parade which will start at the fairgrounds and travel north on Calhoun Street.

According to a press release from the West Liberty Chamber of Commerce, the parade will feature tractors, vintage cars, Shriners, fair dancers, fair royalty, music and handmade floats. This year’s parade theme is “155 Years, A Million Memories.”

 The grand marshals will be Clarence and Francis Daufeldt.

The parade will be followed by the annual International Picnic in the Park (Kimberly Park on Park Street near the water tower) with “The Faris Family” playing bluegrass and gospel, and the fresh sound of traditional music. Keyboard artist Al Zimmerman will also play. Various community groups will sell tacos, hot dogs, brats, turkey tenderloins, egg rolls, sweet corn and drinks.

Contact Cynthia Beaudette at 563-262-0527 or cynthia.beaudette@muscatinejournal.com

Details

Information

For additional information about the Muscatine County Fair contact 319-627-2414 or go online to http://www.muscatinecountyfair.com/index.htm

The Muscatine County Fair Office, 101 N. Clay St., West Liberty, is open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. all year or just during the fair?

For more information on the Muscatine County Fair Parade contact the West Liberty Chamber, (319) 627-4876.

Admission prices

Fun Passes — $30 for adults; $16 children ages 5-15

Daily admission — $5 adults and $3 ages 5-15

Single shows — Car races: $5 adult and $3 child; NTPA tractor pull:  $5 adult and $3 child; Diamond Rio and Heartland concerts: $15 adult and $8 child. (Note: A daily admission pass must also be purchased in addition to the admission fee for all shows.)

Box seats — $5 and available only to Fun Pass holders.

 Children under 5 do not pay admission

Sponsors

The Muscatine County Fair is co-sponsored by: West Liberty Foods LLC, HNI Corp., South 6 Trucking LLC, Elder Implement Co., Wiele Chevrolet, H.D. Cline Col., Farmers Supply Sales Inc., Keith Forbes & Sons, Trucks Unlimited, Raymond Corp., Craig Jones Trucking, Florilli Corp., Casey’s General Stores, Bennett Farm Equipment, Syngerta, Gerdau Ameristeel and Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

Free grounds entertainment is sponsored by Sprouse Distributors; Community Bank, Wilton; Merschman Seeds; Turk Regennitter: Muscatine County Bankers and West Liberty Lions Club.