Vanderburgh County Fair is this week: What to know before you go

The 102nd Vanderburgh County Fair begins Monday, July 24 at the 4-H Center in Evansville, featuring food, rides and every event you can imagine. Here’s what you need to know before you go.

When can I go?

The fair will be held from Monday, July 24 to Saturday, July 29.

Gates open at 3 p.m. Monday, and the fair will stay open until 9 p.m. On Tuesday through Saturday, the gates will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Ground closing time will be announced daily 30 minutes before closing.

How much are tickets?

Tickets for fairgoers ages 10 and up cost $10 for single admission and $30 for a season pass. Kids 9 and under get in for free.

Tickets can be paid for in cash at the fair’s gate or purchased and picked up at the 4-H Center Office, 4-H Extension Office in Darmstadt or any Schnucks store.

What are the food options?

The fair’s website lists 14 options. Options include traditional fair food like hot dogs, lemon shake-ups and funnel cakes as well as more unique options like stromboli, potato salad and walking tacos.

A full list of options can be found here.

And rides?

Rides will open at 5 p.m. Monday, July 24, and will be available until 11 p.m. the first day. From Tuesday, July 25 to Friday, July 28, they’ll be open from 4-11 p.m., and on Saturday, July 29, they’ll be open from 2-11 p.m.

Ride armbands are available daily and cost $25 each. If you prefer tickets, you can purchase 10 tickets for $27, 20 for $52, or individual tickets for $3 each.

When is the concert, and who’s playing?

This year’s concert entertainment features Drake Milligan, a country singer from Fort Worth, Texas, with opener Dylan Schneider. Milligan has multiple songs charting on top iTunes charts, according to his website.

The concert will take place at 7:30 on Wednesday, July 26 at the Grandstands. Seating is included in fair admission, but floor admission is available for $10.

Where can I find the biggest events?

There are events planned for every day of the fair. The most well-known is the fair’s concert, but every day has entertainment planned.

On Monday, July 24, Motocross dirt bike racing will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Grandstands. A pit pass costs $5. Entry costs fair admission plus an entry fee: $30 for first class, $25 for second class and $40 for pro. Vanderburgh County Fair President Jeff Ziliak said they expect over 250 racers.

There’ll be a rodeo at 6:30 Tuesday, July 25, at the Grandstands. Wednesday’s event is the annual concert, featuring Drake Milligan.

On Thursday, July 27, there’s a variety of tractor pulls throughout the evening. The Farmers Pull, Ohio River Valley Pullers Association Tractor Pull, Southern Indiana Farm Stock Pullers, Semi Pulls and the Antique Tractor Pull will take place at 6 p.m. at the Grandstands. The ITPA Truck Pull will take place an hour after, at 7 p.m. Information on specific entry requirements can be found on the county fair’s website.

The tractor pulls extend into the weekend. Friday, July 28, will have the Pro Pulling League Tractor Pull at 7 p.m., and Saturday, July 29, there’ll be a Garden Tractor Pull at 9 a.m. Both events will take place at the Grandstands.

The fair will host a talent contest over the weekend. Vocal and instrumental acts will be at 7 p.m. Friday and dance, novelty and tumbling will be Saturday, with kids under 12 at noon and ages 13-21 at 3 p.m. All talent will be in the auditorium.

Finishing the festival with a bang, the Demolition Derby rolls into town at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Grandstands. Pit passes are available for $10 plus fair admission. For those interested in participating, entry fees are $40 plus fair admission and inspection starts at 2 p.m.

A full schedule of events, including new events Border Collie sheep herding demonstration “Quack Pack USA” and interactive game show “Wheels of Agriculture,” can be found on the fair’s website.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Vanderburgh County Fair starts next week: What to know before you go