Ready to ‘roar’ again!

Published 12:41 pm Monday, August 2, 2021

SubmittedJohn Michael Montgomery appears in concert Friday, Aug. 13, at the Grant County Fair in John Day.

By Cheryl Hoefler

GO! Magazine

JOHN DAY — Following last year’s deafening silence from the Grant County Fair’s absence due to COVID-19, the fair board, staff and volunteers are amped to present the popular annual event once again — with the appropriately pumped-up theme: “Have a Roaring Good Time!”

The 112th Grant County Fair, Wednesday-Saturday, Aug. 11-14, promises a four-day extravaganza of all the traditional fair favorites — entertainment, exhibits, parades, games, music, and of course plenty of food and livestock.

Heading up the entertainment will be award-winning country singer John Michael Montgomery in concert at 8:15 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 13. A Kentucky native, Montgomery kicked off his successful career in 1992 with a debut album that featured his first hit, “Life’s a Dance.” More chart-topping hits followed year after year.

Preceding Montgomery, musician Colt Ford will perform at 7 p.m. Ford, from Georgia, is a multi-talented singer, songwriter and rapper who has teamed up with artists from a variety of genres. His recent co-writing collaborations gave fans the #1 hits “Dirt Road Anthem” with Jason Aldean and “Country Must be Country Wide” with Brantley Gilbert.

Jessie Leigh, on a return visit to Grant County, will open and close the evening of live music.

Gates at the John Day Auto Parts Outdoor Arena open at 6 p.m. for the Friday night concert. Tickets are $45, or $15 for ages 10 and younger. Tickets are for sale online only at grantcountyoregon.net.

Performing throughout the four-day fair are comedy hypnotist Justin James and the Blue Mountain Old Time Fiddlers.

On Saturday, freestyle bullfighting featuring Hamsher Fighting Bulls will thrill spectators beginning at 8 p.m. at the outdoor arena. Admission is by donation and seating is limited.

Grand marshal for this year’s fair is Bonnie Nance, lifelong rancher and Prairie City native. Nance served as a fair court princess and fair queen in the 1950s. She will reign during the fair parade at 11 a.m. Saturday. The route runs from Grant Union High School to Timber’s Bistro at the east end of John Day.

Not to be left out, kids get their own parade at 10 a.m. Friday in John Day.

Other Saturday fair highlights include the rancher’s breakfast from 7-9 a.m., pie contest at 2 p.m. and 4-H/FFA livestock auction at 4 p.m.

A Family Fun Center will operate all four days featuring a variety of games and activities for fairgoers of all ages. Hours are 4-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 2-10 p.m. on Friday, and 1-10 p.m. Saturday. Presale wristbands for the fun center are $10.

The fair is seeking young women to represent Grant County during the 2022 fair and rodeo season. Those interested are encouraged to contact the fair office.

“This is a great opportunity to get out and meet a lot of great people while promoting Grant County,” said Donna Palmer, fair board chair.

Palmer added kudos to fair manager Mindy Winegar and maintenance head Dusty Williams for making this year’s fair a reality.

“On behalf of the fair board, we would like to thank Mindy Winegar and Dusty Williams for all their hard work organizing the 112th Grant County Fair and for their amazing job maintaining the Grant County Fairgrounds,” Palmer said.

Admission to the fair is free on Wednesday. All other days, admission is $5 for ages 13 and old, $3 for seniors and kids ages 6-12, and free for kids 5 and younger. A week-long pass is $15.

For more information, call the fair office at 541-575-1900 or visit grantcountyoregon.net.

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