Effingham County Fair Opens Friday

The 69th Effingham County Fair opens Friday at the county fairgrounds at Altamont.  This year's theme is "Proud of Our Past...Faith in the Future".

Friday will feature a partial midway and Tonns of Fun Inflatables at 6pm and the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Pull at 6:30pm.

Saturday's lineup includes a car show at 9am, Tonns of Fun Inflatables from noon to 10pm, lawnmower races at 1pm, a partial midway and Tonns of Fun Inflatables at 6pm, the Effingham County Fair Talent Show on a new night and at a new time at 5:30pm, and music by the vocal group "Blend" back for an encore after a great performance last year at 8pm.

Sunday activities will include a church service in the 4-H Arena at 8:30am, Tonns of Fun Inflatables from noon to 10pm, Big 10 harness racing at 1pm, the Twilight Parade at 5pm, a partial midway at 6pm, the Master Showmanship competition in the 4-H Show Arena at 6:30pm, and the Junior Miss Effingham County Pageant on a new night at 7pm.

Monday at the fair will feature Big 10 harness racing at 1pm, the full midway opening at 6pm, and Hastings Filters truck, tractor and gardent tractor pulls at 6:30pm.

On Tuesday, harness racing will begin at 1pm, with the midway open for $17 armband night at 6pm and the Miss Effingham County Fair Queen Pageant and Little Miss Pageant at 7pm.

Wednesday activities will include Topline harness racing at 1pm, all rides for $1.50 each at 4pm, the Fair Auction at 5:30pm, antique tractor pulls at 6pm, and Hastings Filters Truck Tractor, Semi Pro Stock and Antique pulls at 7pm.

Thursday at the fair will include harness racing at 1pm, the midway open from 6 to 10:30pm for $17 armband night, and the rough stock rodeo at 7:30pm.

Friday, August 9 will feature thoroughbred and quarter horse racing at noon, the midway opening at 5pm, and music by country singing star Randy Houser at 8pm preceded by music by Chris Cavanaugh at 7pm.

Saturday, Augut 10...the final day of the fair...will include Kids and Teens Day activities sponsored by the Effingham County School Resource Officers, an ATV pull at 2pm, $10 armbands for rides from 2 to 5pm and regular rides on the midway for $1 each after 5:45pm, and the demolition derby and a new feature, lawnmower soccer, at 6:30pm.

There will again be a free stage on the grounds with different entertainers almost every day.  Here's the schedule: Saturday, August 3--7-9pm--Chris Tally Trio of New Athens with bluegrass music...Sunday, August 4--6-7:30pm--Strings Attached from Effingham with bluegrass music...Sunday, August 4--8-10pm--Sweet Revenge from Effingham with country music...Tuesday, August 6--7-9:30pm--Jamie Nattier and Rich Matlock with country music...Thursday, August 8--6:30-7:30pm--Big Spike Hammer with bluegrass music...Thursday, August 8--8-9:30pm--Firebox from the Effingham area with bluegrass music...Friday, August 9--7-9pm--Achen Back String Band from Neoga featuring all kinds of music...Saturday, August 10--7-9pm--Slant 6 with rockabilly music.  The free stage will not feature music on tractor pull nights.

A reminder that the horse races can be heard on the radio again this year; Sunday at 1pm on 979XFM due to our NASCAR commitments on KJ Country and Monday through Friday on KJ Country 102.3; 1pm Monday through Thursday and noon on Friday.

The KJ Country team will also be on stage Friday night, the 9th, to introduce Randy Houser to the crowd.

Watch also for your chance to get a KJ Country fan to show you're a fan of KJ Country!

More information on this year's Effingham County Fair is available elsewhere on our website or by phoning 1-888-854-FAIR(3247).