By Craig Marx, Editor

The Langlade County Fair begins next week with a number of returning favorites on the lineup, including the roar of IRA Outlaw sprint cars, the jive music of variety band Vic Ferrari, and the undeniably scrumptious Optimist Club cheese curds.

The fair kicks off this Wednesday, July 26 at 8 AM, where the 4-H Horse Show gets the festivities going in the horse arena. The carnival opens at 5 PM, with the first wristband night getting underway from 6 – 10 PM. Two bands begin at 7 PM with The Drovers playing under the grandstand and Branded in the midway tent, setting the mood for fireworks beginning at dusk.

Thursday looks to be one of the more popular nights on the midway as the variety band Vic Ferrari takes the stage under the midway tent at 7 PM, while Country RISC performs under the grandstand as well. The carnival opens early for the first time of the week at 3 PM, while wristbands are valid 6 – 10 PM once again.

Friday night’s IRA Outlaw sprint cars are always a big draw, with qualifying beginning at 6:30 PM and races to start at seven. The carnival begins at 3 PM as part of Food Pantry Day, while circus variety acts and tours of the old school house will be offered from 3 – 9 PM. For the non-racing fans, variety band Johnny Wad will be playing the midway tent beginning at 7 PM while physical comedian Kenny Ahren begins the prop comedy at 7:30 PM from the Multi-Purpose Building.

Saturday sets aside special time for families to each the carnival, which opens at noon and lasts through 5 PM for “Family Time.” The special time includes raffles, a scavenger hunt, games activities, ride specials and “special guests.” The action continues later with the Action Auto Demo Derby at 6:30 PM ($10 adult, $5 youth [4 years old – 12], under 3 free) and variety band Coyote Wild in the midway tent at seven.

As the fair comes to a close on Sunday, the mini-tractor pull starts at noon, along with veggie races and the frog jumping contest. The carnival begins at 12 PM as well, with the final wristband day lasting from 1 – 5 PM. Bids begin at the Small Animal Auction at 2 PM (see the full story here). Music concludes with Cook and Belle at 3 PM, while the 2017 Langlade County Fair ends with the tractor pull at 6 PM.

Check out our special fair section in the Monday, July 24th issue for a full schedule of events and community sponsors or visit http://www.langladecountyfair.com/ for more details.