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Five days of fair fun

Pictured are the 2014 Central Iowa Fair Queen candidates. From left is Carly Kielman, Ashley Arnote, Genivyve Smith, Kelsiann Halbloom, Ashley Criswell and Samie Simatovich. The Central Iowa Fair queen will be crowned at 6:00 on Wednesday at the fairgrounds in Marshalltown on the stage. “Kick Up Your Heels” at the 2014 Central Iowa Fair July 9 to 13.

All are free to have a good time at the 2014 Central Iowa Fair, which begins Wednesday and runs through midday Sunday.

Free is the key word as many events are free to participate in with free gate admission throughout the fair.

The fair seeks to bring community members together to learn about agriculture, enjoy music and other events and just celebrate the summer.

“We’re looking forward to a great fair,” said Jodi Breniman, vice president of the fair board. “We have several new activities and several new events this year.”

Breniman said although agriculture is a huge focus, it’s not the only thing going on at the fair as they have a wide variety of events to cater to a variety of ages and backgrounds.

Wednesday

Events begin with the swine and horse show bright and early at 8 a.m. Throughout the day are several 4-H/FFA animal competitions.

The Wednesday night events include the fair Hall of Fame award at 5:45 p.m. followed by the announcement of the Central Iowa Fair Queen and Little Miss Princess.

This year’s queen candidates include Carly Kielman, Ashley Arnote, Genivyve Smith, Kelsiann Halbloom, Ashley Criswell and Samie Simatovich.

“The queen candidates are very strong this year,” Breniman said.

The night keeps going with a 7 p.m. rodeo in the outdoor arena.

“That will be a full rodeo with bull riding and barrel racing and more,” Breniman said.

Thursday.

The sheep show opens Thursday at 8 a.m. with games and other animal shows throughout the day.

New this year will be STEM demonstrations in the exhibit building from 1 to 4 p.m.

“Kids will be able to do hands-on science projects,” Breniman said.

A youth rodeo will be held at 6 p.m. for wrangling fun for the little ones. The Marshalltown Municipal Band performance and ice cream social event will both cap off Thursday’s events beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Friday

The traditional fan favorite – the Oreo cooking stacking contest – will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the exhibit building.

Ag education demonstrations will be in the exhibit building from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday.

The night wraps up with racing at the speedway and an 8 p.m. performance by the Final Mix Band of Des Moines.

Saturday

Saturday is full of events for the kids, adults, animal lovers and more.

Breniman said they will have a tailgate bags tournament at 2 p.m., which is a popular backyard game and is a new event this year.

The 4-H youth will be offering a carnival with games for children from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

A truck pull will be held at the grandstand at 7 p.m.. Country music will be king Saturday night as Lonesome Road of Cedar Rapids band plays from 7 to 11 p.m.

“They are a wonderful band,” Breniman said.

Sunday

Sunday is the day for recognition at the fair.

The 4-H awards presentation begins at 10 a.m. with the supreme showmanship contest is at 10:30 a.m. followed by the parade of champions at 11:30 a.m.

For a complete fair schedule visit www.centrailiowafair.net.

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Contact Andrew Potter at 641-753-6611 or apotter@timesrepublican.com

Five days of fair fun

Pictured are the 2014 Central Iowa Fair Queen candidates (L to R): Carly Kielman, Ashley Arnote, Genivyve Smith, Kelsiann Halbloom, Ashley Criswell and Samie Simatovich. The Central Iowa Fair queen will be crowned at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the fairgrounds in Marshalltown on the stage.

All are free to have a good time at the 2014 Central Iowa Fair, which begins Wednesday and runs through midday Sunday.

Free is the key word as many events are free to participate in with free gate admission throughout the fair.

The fair seeks to bring community members together to learn about agriculture, enjoy music and other events and just celebrate the summer.

“We’re looking forward to a great fair,” said Jodi Breniman, vice president of the fair board. “We have several new activities and several new events this year.”

Breniman said although agriculture is a huge focus, it’s not the only thing going on at the fair as they have a wide variety of events to cater to a variety of ages and backgrounds.

Wednesday

Events begin with the swine and horse show bright and early at 8 a.m. Throughout the day are several 4-H/FFA animal competitions.

The Wednesday night events include the fair Hall of Fame award at 5:45 p.m. followed by the announcement of the Central Iowa Fair Queen and Little Miss Princess.

This year’s queen candidates include Carly Kielman, Ashley Arnote, Genivyve Smith, Kelsiann Halbloom, Ashley Criswell and Samie Simatovich.

“The queen candidates are very strong this year,” Breniman said.

The night keeps going with a 7 p.m. rodeo in the outdoor arena.

“That will be a full rodeo with bull riding and barrel racing and more,” Breniman said.

Thursday.

The sheep show opens Thursday at 8 a.m. with games and other animal shows throughout the day.

New this year will be STEM demonstrations in the exhibit building from 1 to 4 p.m.

“Kids will be able to do hands-on science projects,” Breniman said.

A youth rodeo will be held at 6 p.m. for wrangling fun for the little ones. The Marshalltown Municipal Band performance and ice cream social event will both cap off Thursday’s events beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Friday

The traditional fan favorite – the Oreo cooking stacking contest – will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the exhibit building.

Ag education demonstrations will be in the exhibit building from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday.

The night wraps up with racing at the speedway and an 8 p.m. performance by the Final Mix Band of Des Moines.

Saturday

Saturday is full of events for the kids, adults, animal lovers and more.

Breniman said they will have a tailgate bags tournament at 2 p.m., which is a popular backyard game and is a new event this year.

The 4-H youth will be offering a carnival with games for children from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

A truck pull will be held at the grandstand at 7 p.m.. Country music will be king Saturday night as Lonesome Road of Cedar Rapids band plays from 7 to 11 p.m.

“They are a wonderful band,” Breniman said.

Sunday

Sunday is the day for recognition at the fair.

The 4-H awards presentation begins at 10 a.m. with the supreme showmanship contest is at 10:30 a.m. followed by the parade of champions at 11:30 a.m.

For a complete fair schedule visit www.centrailiowafair.net.

—

Contact Andrew Potter at 641-753-6611 or apotter@timesrepublican.com