Family fun at the fair begins with judging of animals

SAXON, Wis. — The Iron County Fair kicked off under blue skies and ideal temperatures Friday as a weekend of family fun began.

There won’t be any dust for this year’s fair, as the quarter inch of rain that fell Thursday night added to the summer’s precipitation total. The grounds were in good shape, despite the recent rain.

Swine and sheep judging took place Friday morning and a hog named Bruno that was named grand champion later tried to eat the decorations in his stall, using a pen-mate for leverage.

Friday also featured a 4-H youth horse show, with more weekend horse competitions to follow.

Children on Friday enjoyed the first of three days of free carnival rides for the price of admission.

The cattle and poultry barns offered some excitement for toddlers and adults alike with a large assortment of rabbits, sheep, goats and cattle.

Dairy judging begins this morning.

Today’s entertainment highlights include Marty’s Goldenaires Drum and Bugle Corps at 1 p.m., a polka band at 1:30 p.m., the annual Red Clay Classic mud run throughout the afternoon and The Dweebs performing from 7 to 10 p.m.

Sunday’s musical entertainment features Johnny Propane under the pavilion beginning at noon and the Lowell Street Band from 4 to 7 p.m.

The 4-H livestock auction is set for 6 tonight and 4-Hers will participate in shooting competition at the archery range near the horse barn from 3 to 5 p.m., a new event for the fair.

Other Sunday highlights are the noon to 4 p.m. antique tractor and equipment show and the 1:30 p.m. horse pulling contest in front of the grandstands.

An old favorite, the 4-H pie auction contest, is set for 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The National Weather Service predicts partly cloudy skies today and Sunday, with highs around 70.