The weather is hot, it’s July and the 155th annual Porter County Fair opens tomorrow.

Gates open at noon Thursday, July 21 at the Porter County Fair, the Cumberland Valley Shows on the Midway open at 4 p.m. and fireworks will be at dusk.

The 4-H exhibit hall will be open from 4-10 p.m. featuring the displays of the many projects 4-H projects and their ribbons.

Most of the exhibits, both public and 4-H were checked in prior to the opening of the Fair, including the flowers, garden, home economics, fashion and the Tallest Corn Contest. They will be on display opening day.

A Fair Trolley, with a routine schedule is available for fair-goers who need some help getting from one place to another.

The Queen Pageant is one of the big events for the Fair that runs through Saturday, July 30.

Throughout the day, visitors can browse through the commercial building, livestock buildings, horse barns and watch shows in the Buggy Wheel Pavilion. Bill Engvall will provide entertainment at 8 p.m. in the Grandstand.

Every day there will be special events for everyone to enjoy and grandstand shows including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Friday, July 22; Brad Paisley, Saturday, July 23; American English and original members of Wings Sunday, July 24. All grandstand shows begin at 8 p.m.

The Barnes Stock Rodeo will be at 8 p.m. July 25-26.

Each day visitors can also enjoy a barnyard exhibit, animal petting zoo and pony rides, elephant encounters, magic shows and WildWest and Calamity Jo’s Comedy.

The popular Swifty Swine Pig Races will be Tuesday, July 26, Kid’s Day.

Senior Citizen’s Day is Wednesday, July 27 and is also Pie Day at the Fair. The public is invited to enter the pie contest. The Combine Demolition Derby is at 8 p.m.

The Monster Truck Show Extravaganza and Chitwood Auto Thrill Show will be Thursday, July, 28 and the Auto Demolition Derby will be Friday, July 29. Earlier in the day, the public is invited to participate in a Grilled Chicken Cook-Off.

Programs are available at the Chesterton Tribune. For more information call 462-0321. Grandstand ticket information is available at 464-2993.

Admission prices are $5 adults (16 and older), $2 children (10-15 years) under 10 years free. Season pass is $20.

Posted 7/20/2005