Fair board hoping for fair weather

By MAKAYLA TENDALL
m.tendall@beeherald.com

Families and animals will stampede into the fairgrounds in Jefferson this week for the Greene County Fair.

The fair will feature a kids’ area this year, which fair board secretary Doug Hawn said will provide activities for toddlers.

Returning events and contests include the 4-H contests and shows, an outdoor movie, Kid’s Pedal Pull and a free concert.

Another crowd favorite is the Poppin’ Penelope Show.

“We would probably get shot if we didn’t have her,” Hawn said.

Hawn said the board will cater events to attendees’ desires. The rodeo — added a few years ago per request — will continue to be an attraction at the fair, and is set for 7 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $5.

A free concert featuring Missouri’s rock/country band Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys will be held at 8 p.m. Friday.

Hawn said fair board members chose the band at a county fair showcase in Des Moines that features many other bands. With all 99 counties hosting fairs during the same period, Hawn said they were lucky to have the band perform.

New attractions also include a dunk tank and auctions to benefit Tate Lawton.

Tate, the grandson of Jefferson’s Tom and Cae Lawton, is awaiting a second heart surgery for a congenital defect associated with his Down syndrome.

The auctions will be held on Sunday with the silent auction and meal beginning at 4:30 p.m. and a live auction starting at 6:30 p.m. A golf tournament will also be held at 10 a.m. Sunday at The Hill in Grand Junction. An entry fee of $125 per four-person team includes the cart fee and lunch.

Tom said many Jefferson residents already donated many items to be auctioned off, and Jefferson’s Kathy Bravard organized the dunk tank.

Money raised will help pay for medical and traveling expenses for the family.

“With weather like this, we’ll have a good fair,” Hawn said.