The Hamilton County Fair Queen contestants pose Saturday during the judging at Asbury United Methodist Church, Webster City. They are, from left, Alivia Wahlert, Emalie Perez, 2023 Hamilton County Fair Queen Amanda Ostrem, Caroline Ehn, and Ashley Robb. The 2024 Hamilton County Fair Queen will be crowned Thursday night at the Grandstand in a ceremony that begins at 6 p.m.

The Hamilton County Fair makes its annual return today with the parade at 6 p.m. in downtown Webster City.

The Grandstand at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds will be the site of a ribbon-cutting today at noon. This event is open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. The ribbon-cutting will celebrate the restoration of the historic wooden structure.

“It’s a Blue Ribbon Fair,” said Jamie Griffith, Hamilton County Fair manager.

But even before the parade, the Blue Ribbon Fair kicks off this morning at 8 a.m. The day will feature a Dog Obedience show in the Show Arena, Griffith said.

Then, at noon, the public is invited to the ribbon-cutting under the historic grandstand.

“This will be a time to recognize the completion of the Grandstand Preservation project and the many donors who graciously contributed to this project,” Griffith said.

The parade gets rolling on the corner of Elm and Prospect streets.

You can catch all the fun parade floats from Prospect to Second Street, then to Superior and Bank streets all the way to the fairgrounds entrance.

“The fun continues following the parade at the fairgrounds, where the Hamilton County Fair Foundation will serve a meal under the Crestview tent. An annual tradition, the Ag Olympics, will take place in the Show Arena, tentatively beginning at 7:30 p.m.,” Griffith said.

“This year’s Blue Ribbon Fair will feature live music on the Keim TS Free Stage on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

“Brad Morgan will entertain us on Tuesday (tonight) following the fair parade at 7:30 p.m. Andy Anderson and Mike Leeds of The Dueling Pianos will jam for us on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Joe Inman will open the live tunes on Thursday at 7 p.m., with Cory Waller & The Wicked Things to follow. Friday’s live music will feature Royce Johns at 7:00 p.m. and Jake Simon to follow. Wear your dancing boots, bring a chair, and grab an ice-cold beverage at the American Sanitation Beer Garden.”

“It is such a fun time, after spending the day at the fair, to kick your boots up and enjoy live music with your friends and family,” said Fair Board member Tennie Carlson. “We are proud to be able to offer free entertainment in the evening for our fair friends and families.”

Scott Amusements will provide fun and thrill rides for kids of all ages. The carnival will open at 6 p.m. on tonight, 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 3 p.m. on Friday, and 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Wristband hours for each day can be found on our daily schedule at www.hamcoexpo.com/fair/daily-schedule.

The fair will also provide free kids’ activities throughout the week.

“Our goal is to provide affordable family fun with something for everyone,” Griffith said. “We are really proud to be able to offer free activities throughout the week, all thanks to the efforts of our Fair Board and generous donations from local sponsors.”

The many kids’ activities featured will include a Kids Zone in the Co-op Building, a foam party, special visitors Batman, Batgirl and Robin, face painting, glitter tattoos, kids pedal pull, pony hops and spin art. All activities are listed on the daily fair schedule at www.hamcoexpo.com/fair/daily-schedule.

The Ed Prince stage will provide free entertainment each day.

“We have a wide variety, ranging from hypnotist, storytime, a spelling bee, and the Bill Riley Talent Show. It’s great to have a place where fairgoers can catch a break under the shade and be entertained for free during the day,” Carlson said. “It also gives local youth who might not be a 4H member, to be highlighted for their talents.”

In addition to live music, Grandstand events will be featured each night, Wednesday through Sunday. MSTS Sprint Car races will take place on Wednesday. Gates will open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7:30 p.m.

The Hamilton County Fair Royalty will be featured Thursday evening with the annual Queen Coronation at 6 p.m.

On Friday, fans will be set to have a bucking good time at the Rogue Rodeo. Gates open at 5 p.m. with Mutton Bustin’ at 7 p.m. and a complete rodeo to follow.

Saturday night will be an action-packed evening with Kid’s Night at the Fair Races + the Mike Baker Memorial Race + HCSRA Hall of Fame inductions. Saturday will also feature Hamilton County Speedway’s Big Bike Giveaway. Kids 11 and under will receive a free raffle for a chance to win a bike.

Sunday closes the Grandstand events with the much-anticipated Eve of Destruction Trailer Race. Gates will open at 3 p.m., and the event will commence at 5:30 p.m.

For more information on classes featured, times, and ticket prices, visit the Hamilton County Speedway website at www.hamiltoncospeedway.com/schedule.

Animal and livestock shows will begin today and continue throughout the week in the Show Arena and the Claude Family Horse Arena. The Hamilton County Fair website has a detailed schedule of livestock shows at www.hamcoexpo.com/fair/daily-schedule.

The 4-H and Open Class Exhibits will be featured in the fairgrounds’ Van Diest and Floral Buildings.

“The youth of Hamilton County have worked hard throughout the year. Not just with their livestock, but also their many fair projects,” said Fair Board President Zach Williams. “It’s a great week recognizing and honoring the youth. I’m always proud to see what the kids have been up to the past year. We have great facilities to showcase the animals and projects. I also want to recognize the many volunteers who have stepped up to help maintain our facilities and have worked hard to ensure everything looks great for fair week.”

Griffith added: “Fair week truly is the best week. To see the community out here supporting our youth and the efforts of our board is something special. I hope everyone in Hamilton County realizes what we have out here and chooses to support our fair.”