BLUE EARTH - The Faribault County Fair organizers have all their ducks in a row and are preparing to open the fair on Monday through Saturday.
There are several new events and activities scheduled this year.
Monday night's main event is Motokazie supercross racing. Fair manager Sara Gack said the fair board is most excited about this new event.
"We're hoping to attract the younger audience and we do have several people in the county that do motocross," she said. "We're hoping it will be something we can continue to bring back. We just want something new and different - something for all ages."
Tuesday's new fair events include a children's workshop on building bird houses - free of charge. There is also a volleyball tournament and minnow races.
A 3 on 3 basketball tournament, an ugly sweater contest and a nail driving race are the new fair events on Wednesday.
On Thursday, a sock-a-sheep race will take place, where teams of two people will put four socks on a sheep. Grandma's recipe contest is also new, inviting those with old, favorite recipes to share them by making them for a panel of judges.
New on Friday are guessing contests - like how tall is a corn stalk and how many soy beans are in a jar - a kiddy ag parade and ag day for kids.
Another new show the fair board is thrilled about bringing to the fair is the All American Lumberjack Show. It runs Wednesday through Saturday, with times varying.
"We thought it was something interesting we could try," Gack said.
Entertainment in the beer garden is another addition to the festivities - such as The Mason Dixons band, a DJ, cribbage tournament, Wendinger Band and Uncle Fester.
The level of entertainment has been vamped up this year, due to an increase in contributions from the community.
"We're hoping people will notice a difference," Gack said.
Some improvements to the fairgrounds also have been made. The 4-H building has a new roof, and several paths into buildings have been paved for better handicapped accessibility.
"We're just hoping for a good reaction, good fair," Gack said. "We hope everybody enjoys what we've put together."
