The Johnson County Fair is back. Here's what to check out — including Bacon Buddies
Keri Butler of Tiffin is excited for her son, Trey Gerard, to try something new at the Johnson County Fair this year.
The 15-year-old sports enthusiast, particularly passionate about NASCAR, will be showing pigs through a program called Bacon Buddies.
It was created by then high schooler and Earlham native Kylee Brown, who noticed the absence of people with special needs in the livestock showing circuit, according to the Des Moines Register in 2019.
The program made its debut at the Iowa State Fair that year.
Bacon Buddies gives individuals with intellectual or physical disabilities the opportunity to show pigs at fairs in Iowa. They’ll be paired with an experienced volunteer to help them through the experience.
For the first time, Johnson County fair-goers will get to see Bacon Buddies in action locally when the fair begins Sunday. Look for Bacon Buddies at 5 p.m. Monday.
Butler told the Press-Citizen this will be a “whole new environment” for her son.
More: Bacon Buddies: Iowans with special needs show pigs for first time at Iowa State Fair
“He's always excited to try something new that his peers are doing,” she said. “I think that's the one thing that I'm most excited about. Sometimes our kiddos that have special needs don't always get those same opportunities because their abilities may be limited. But this is something that just about any child will be will be able to participate in.”
Gerard is autistic, Butler said.
He has a few speech disorders that can make it occasionally difficult for others to understand what he is saying and has anxiety and a “mild” intellectual disorder, his mother said. Because he doesn’t always have the social skills of someone his age, finding activities he can participate in without feeling different from his peers is a “plus” for his parents.
Bacon Buddies comes to the Johnson County Fair thanks to the efforts of Stephanie Glass, who has multiple titles at the fairgrounds, including office manager.
She told the Press-Citizen that it is difficult to put her son, who is also autistic, in extracurricular activities because children can be mean.
It is important to Glass to find something he can enjoy and be included in.
Now, that inclusion extends to Butler’s son.
“We want him to know that he is capable of doing whatever he wants to try,” Butler said.
Bacon Buddies is just one of many offerings you'll find at the four-day fair this year.
Mullet Competition, Impact Pro Wrestling and Fireworks: New fun mixed with classic fare
The Johnson County Fair runs July 24-27.
Though it won't have a carnival this year, it will introduce new programming beyond Bacon Buddies, including a mullet competition — which could be particularly popular considering the number of likes the announcement got on the fair’s Facebook page.
Glass said a friend saw a mullet competition on the app TikTok and wondered if it could be done at the Johnson County Fair.
"I don't see why not," Glass said.
A new offering last year that makes its return is Impact Pro Wrestling, an Iowa-based independent wrestling promotion, which takes to the grandstand Tuesday evening.
Fair staples, including tractor pulls, animal shows and a fireworks display on the final day of the fair will return.
Here’s a partial schedule of entertainment at the fair:
Sunday, Family Fun Day
All Day – Hawkeye Model Railroad Display
6–9 a.m. – Knights of Columbus Breakfast
7:30 a.m.-7:30p.m. – Pizza Pop Stand Open
8:30 a.m. – Sharon Center All Denominational Church Service
10 a.m. – In Hand & Pleasure Horse & Pony Show
10 a.m. – Master Gardener Demo Garden
10 a.m. – Chainsaw Carver
11 a.m. – Livestock Judging Contest
Noon – Strolling – One Man Band
12:30 p.m. – Sheep Exhibitor Meeting
12:30 p.m. – Clover Kid Pet Show
1 p.m. – Pet Show
1 p.m. – Sheep Show
1:30-3 p.m. – Iowa City Community Band
2p.m. – Clothing Event Fashion Show/Mr. 4-H Contest
2 p.m. – Chainsaw Carver
2 p.m. - Iowa City Community Band
2– 4 p.m. – Bingo
3:30–5 p.m. – Jonah Seymour
4 p.m. – Clover Kid Sheep Show
6 p.m. - Strolling – One Man Band
7 p.m. – Chain Saw Carver
6–9 p.m. – Tractor Pull
Monday, Senior Day
All Day – Hawkeye Model Railroad Display
6–9 a.m. – Knights of Columbus Breakfast
7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. – Pizza Pop Stand Open
9 a.m. – Swine Show
10–11:30 a.m. – Leo Shima
Noon - Strolling – One Man Band
Noon – Ugly Cake Contest
1 p.m. – Trail & Game Events Horse & Pony Show
1 p.m. – Poultry Show
2–4 p.m. – Bingo
2 p.m. - Strolling – One Man Band
3–4:30 p.m. – Bean Bag Toss
4–6:30 p.m. – FB Homemade Ice Cream Demo
4:30–6 p.m. – Chicken Toss
5 p.m. – Bacon Buddies
5–7 p.m. – Kiddie Tractor Pull
6 p.m. – Share The Fun Show
6 p.m. – Strolling - One Man Band
6–8 p.m. – Hay Bale Toss followed by Human Tractor Pull
7 p.m. – Chainsaw Carver
6–8 p.m. – All American Lumberjack Show
Tuesday, Kids’ Day
All Day – Hawkeye Model Railroad Display
6–9 a.m. — Knights of Columbus Breakfast
7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. – Pizza Pop Stand Open
8:30 a.m. – Dairy Goat Show
10 a.m. – Clover Kid Goat Show
10 a.m. – Rabbit Showmanship Contest
10–10:30 a.m. – Jason D’Vaude The Circus Man
10 a.m.–noon – Theisen’s Kids Farmland
10 a.m.–2 p.m. – JC Vehicle Display
10:30 a.m. – Meat Goat Show
11 a.m. – Dairy Cattle Show
11a.m.–1 p.m. – Butterfly Demonstrations
Noon – Strolling – Jason D’Vaude The Circus Man
Noon – Puppet Show
1 p.m. – Rabbit Show
1:30 p.m. – Bucket Bottle Calf Show
2 p.m. – Clover Kid Bucket Bottle Show
2–4 p.m. – Bingo
3 p.m. – Hula Hoop Contest
4–6:30 p.m. – Homemade Ice Cream Demo
4–8 p.m. – Classy Chassy Car Club Show
5 p.m. – Poultry Pageant/Crowing Contest
5 p.m. – Hog Calling
5 p.m. – FB Tasting Tour
7 p.m. – Ag Olympics
7 p.m. – Bill Riley Talent Contest
8 p.m. – Impact Wrestling
Wednesday, Veterans Day
All Day – Hawkeye Model Railroad Display
6–9 a.m. — Knights of Columbus Breakfast
7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. – Pizza Pop Stand Open
8 a.m. – Dog Agility and Rally Show
9 a.m. – Breeding Beef Show
10 a.m. – Strolling - Jason D’Vaude The Circus Man
Noon – Strolling - Jason D’Vaude The Circus Man
Noon – Puppet Show
1 p.m. – Market Beef Show
2–4 p.m. - Bingo
2 p.m. – Strolling - Jason D’Vaude The Circus Man
3 p.m. – Dairy Cattle Release
3:30-5 p.m. — Dogs on Skis
5 p.m. – Butterfly Release
5 p.m. – Supreme Showmanship Event
5:30 p.m. – Buffalo Wing Eating Contest
6–8 p.m. - Family Rodeo
8:30 p.m. – Color Guard
9:30 p.m. – Fireworks Display
Visit the Johnson County Fair's website for a full schedule of events.
Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Reach her at PBarraza@press-citizen.com or (319) 519-9731. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Johnson County Fair returns with new program Bacon Buddies
