HARTFORD – Final preparations are being made for the 67th annual Van Buren Youth Fair, which will get underway July 18-23, for its weeklong run.
Nightly grandstand features include:
Monday, July 18, 6 p.m. – Farm Stock Tractor Pull; followed by Magic Clouds Balloons Tethered Rides at 7 p.m. Balloon rides are $20 for adults and $10 for children.
Tuesday, July 19, 7 p.m. – Hartford NTPA Tractor Pull, 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for ages six and up, with five and under, free. Pit passes are $10.
Wednesday, July 20, at 7 p.m., Hartsell Demolition Derby makes its debut at the fair with a 7 p.m. performance. Adults are $10, ages six to 12, $5, and five and under, free. Pit passes are $10.
On Thursday, July 21, KOI Drag Racing gets underway at 7 p.m. Adults are $10, with ages six to 12, $5 and five and under, free.
On Friday, July 22, at 7p.m., Super Kicker Rodeo Production will get underway. Adults are $10, ages six to 12, $5, and five and under, free.
Following the rodeo, at dusk, a free fireworks show will light up the fairground sky.
Grandstand entertainment ends its week-long run on Saturday, July 23, at 7 p.m., with Unique Motor Sports (Night of Destruction). Adults are $10, with ages six to 12, $5, and under five, free. No pit passes are available for this event.
Grandstand season passes are $40 for adults and senior citizens; children ages six to 12, $20; and five and under, free. Grandstand season pass does not include Monday night. The season pass is good Tuesday through Saturday.
Skerbeck Entertainment Group returns with midway entertainment, July 19-23, Tuesday through Saturday, opening daily at 1 p.m. Wristbands are $30 (Wednesday only $25). An unlimited Mega Band is $90 with purchase before Monday, July 18, at 5 p.m. at Skerbeck.com (The Top Gun ride requires tickets plus wristband.
Wednesday is Kids’ Day at the fair. An Exploration at the Fair, a ride bracelet program will be held. The event is sponsored by Southwest Michigan Solar Project. A Bicycle Give Away will also be held, sponsored by Honor Credit Union and Kate’s Pizza.
There will be free nightly music in the fair’s Community Tent, beginning on Tuesday with Schlitz Creek at 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 7 p.m. – Black River Band; Thursday – 7 p.m. – Carrie McFerrin and the McFerrinites; Friday, 7 p.m. – Full Measure, and at 9 p.m. – Nathan Douglas and the Fine Line. On Saturday, OC/DC, an AC/DC Tribute band will begin at 8 p.m.
General admission is $7 for adults; $5 for senior citizens; children, six to 12, $3; and five and under, free. Gate season passes are $20 for adults; senior citizens, $15; children, ages six to 12, $10; and five and under free.
For more information, visit: vanburenyouthfair.com., or call (269) 621-2038.
The fairgrounds are located on the corner of County Road 681 and Red Arrow Highway, midway between Lawrence and Hartford, 55670 County Road 681, Hartford.