By Brent Frankenhoff
The Portage County Fair — Amherst returns to the Amherst Fairgrounds July 17-20 with many of its regular attractions for another year of fun for all ages.
The first two nights of the Fair feature truck and tractor pulls at 6:30 p.m. each night with various classes of both types of vehicles. On Saturday afternoon, the annual Demolition Derby is held at 3 p.m. All these events are on the track.
Friday and Saturday mornings are taken up with judging of the many exhibits that 4-H and FFA members have prepared during the year. From animals to cooking to photography to model building and more, there’s something for everyone to see and learn about around the fairgrounds.
Outside of the exhibition buildings, the Fair features a Commercial Building with displays from area businesses to showcase their products and services. Further south on the Fairgrounds is the ever-popular midway with rides and games for all ages, plus food and beverages served by numerous service organizations. Funds from those food sales help these organizations grow and offer more to the community.
Each evening, different bands will perform with Around Town Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m., followed by Ask Your Mother on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. Saturday night features Through Crimson at 5 p.m. and returning favorite Blame It on Waylan at 8:30 p.m.
In addition to the usual Fair vendors, Friday’s food offerings include a fish fry by Dale Peterson near the grandstand with all profits going to St. Jude’s Hospital. See the separate article for more information.
The Fair holds a parade through Amherst’s downtown on Saturday with this year’s event having a Halloween theme.
In addition to the many floats and groups walking the parade route, the Fair uses the opportunity to recognize the 2024 Persons and Business of the Year selected by the Spirit.
Sunday morning, Ambrosia Pub and Grill caters an all-you-can-eat breakfast.
A full schedule of events can be found online at amherstfair.com.
Improvements and updates. Fair Board President Tim Pederson said that improvements to the area under the grandstand have been finished, turning the space into usable storage. The siding on the Dairy and Beef Barn was also replaced, vastly improving the look of the building.
Pederson also mentioned that plans for a new entertainment building, which has been in the works for a while, have been approved and will replace the old bar by next July in time for the 2026 Fair.
“It is always nice to hear people compliment us on how nice our grounds are,” he added. “I like to see families come out and enjoy and have fun at the fair.”
Market Animal Sale adds still more stock. The Market Animal Sale, held on Sunday, includes beef, pigs, turkeys, and sheep, raised by 4-H and FFA members for sale to bidders, including many area businesses who purchase the animals at or above market value. Market Animal Sale results will appear in the August Spirit.
Fair history. The Fair’s first 48 years of operation occurred between 1869 and 1917. A restart of the Fair in 1949 after a more than 30-year absence makes this year’s show the 76th under the Portage County Fair Association and the 124th overall, which means a quasquicentennial celebration could be in the offing for 2026.
Of course, a fair doesn’t have this sort of longevity without the work and planning of a governing board and Pederson recognized his fellow Fair Board members when he said, “Our fair board has changed over the years, and we have increased membership by adding younger members now. This has helped us out by being more progressive in improving our fair.”
Volunteers appreciated and needed. Pederson said that the improvements to the fairgrounds and the Fair itself could not happen without the help of so many volunteers. “We are always looking for volunteers to help us out. We need help on Friday morning in the exhibit building starting at 8:30 a.m. If you are interested, contact me at (715) 572-2620 or contact a Fair Board member,” he said. “Other areas of need are selling tickets at the gates and bartending. Check our website for more information.”
He added that volunteers receive coupons for food and beverages as well as passes to the Fair.
More information on the Fair can be found at its website at amherstfair.com and in the flyer inserted in this issue of the Spirit.
Beef cattle (left) and dairy cattle (right) share space in a newly resided Dairy and Beef Barn.
Remodeled food stands under the grandstand are among the recent improvements to the fairgrounds.
Photography is among the most popular of the commercial projects at the fair with dozens of entries.
The swine exhibits are popular with both exhibitors and attendees.