Don't Forget - The Mercer County Fair Is On Facebook.
The Mercer County Fair has a presence on Facebook. Look us up and click Like. We are posting daily to the Facebook account during the Fair. We are currently at 464 people who like us. We would like to hit 500!
2011 Queen Pageant Contestants
Pictures of the Queen Pageant Contestants have been posted to the Fair's Facebook page. Check out the great group of young ladies competing in the event, as well as the 2010 Queens in their farewell performance.
Thel Queen Pageant page can be found under the Competitive Events button.
2011 Premium Book is Available ONLINE!
The 2011 Mercer County Fair Premium Book is available online.
The 2011 Mercer County Fair Entry Blank is also available to download. You may still enter Department J (Gardening) and Department L (Floriculture) on Tuesday, July 12, until 1 p.m. Entries are made in the Pumpkin House.
If the Premium Book or the Entry Blank don't open, you may need to download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader and install it on your computer.
FireFighters' Water Ball Fight and Emergency Services Demonstrations
On Wednesday, July 13, at 6:30 p.m. area firefighters will be competing in a water ball fight in front of the Grandstand. In a water ball fight, two fire hose teams with charged lines (hoses attached to a water supply and ready to spray water) square off against each other and try to push a large elevated ball or keg along a cable and over the opponent's "goal" line. Local firefighters will be putting together teams to compete against each other. If teams are interested, they may contact Brad Retherford. The following YouTube video is not an actual Mercer County event, but shows how much fun a water ball fight is..
Also, that evening there will be emergency services demonstrations including an extraction and a propane burn demonstration. The propane burn demonstration will be a training exercise for local firefighters and will showcase a burning propane tank which the firefighters will extinguish. These photos show a similar training event held in Edgington. It promises to be quite a show.
Pro Kids' Show at 2011 Fair
Tim Hannig will bring his family-oriented Pro Kids' Show to the 2011 Mercer County Fair for three shows daily on July 13, 15 & 16. Tim's shows will be at 2:30, 4:30 & 6:00 p.m. in front of the Merchants' Building.
Tim's 30-minute shows include magic and ventriloquism which entertain young and old alike. Tim has performed five times at the White House Easter Egg Roll and for annual Chicago White Sox private parties. His credits include over 900 stage shows at Six Flags Theme Parks and the family stage at the Country Music Association Festival.
Vision and Hearing Screening on Senior Citizens' Day
The Illinois Lions Clubs' Vision and Hearing Screening is coming to the Mercer County Fair for Senior Citizens' Day, Thursday, July 14. The Eliza Lions Club is sponsoring the free event. The Vision Screening will take place from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Old Ticket Booth at the Front Gate. The Hearing Screening will occur in the Lions Bus which will be parked on the Fairgrounds.
Antique Tractor Exhibit Saturday, July 16
For the second year in a row, the Eliza Lions Club Antique Tractor Drive on Saturday, July 16, will make the Mercer County Fair their lunch time stop. The tractors and drivers will arrive on the Fairgounds at 11:00 a.m. and park their tractors in front of the Grandstand for Fairgoers to view. They will eat lunch and check out a few exhibits and then be back on the road by 1:00 p.m.
2011 Mercer County Fair Quilt Challenge
The 2011 Mercer County Fair will feature a Quilt Challenge class in the Textiles Department. Fat Quarters were sold this fall to interested participants. The people have the entire year to make their quilt entry for this special class. Like all entries in the Textile Department, the first place winner will be in the running to win the Best of Show ribbon and Best of Show collectible crock.
While all the Fat Quarters for the 2011 Fair Quilt Challenge are gone, watch for the flier about the 2012 Fair Quilt Challenge which will be available in Floral Hall during the 2011 Fair.
