Despite concerns about COVID-19, the Linn Lions Club Osage County Fair Chairman Alfred Brandt said he hopes everyone will take personal responsibility.

“Some people won’t feel comfortable coming out because of the virus, and I understand that,” he said. “We anticipate higher numbers this year at the fair because other area fairs have canceled, and we are taking precautions to help ease concerns.”

Hand-sanitizing stations will be placed around the fairgrounds, and everything will be cleaned regularly.

“We ask that everyone observe social-distancing guidelines, but we are not going to police that,” Brandt said. “We hope that everyone will police themselves, and use common sense. There will be plenty of room to spread out.”

The fair features a lot of wholesome activities for the entire family.

“This is a truly local fair, and people come here every year to see each other, and sometimes that’s the only time they can do that,” said Brandt. “This is a family-oriented fair, and everything is geared toward that.”

This year’s fair brings a new attraction this year with an SxS Obstacle Course, which will feature ATVs competing in a closed circuit full of jumps, turns, mud pits and other challenges, with winners determined by the best lap time.

Registration for the event begins at 4 p.m. and closes at 6:30, and the action starts at 7 p.m. Friday.

There will be a pause at 8 p.m. for the greased-pig-catching contest, which will begins at 8 p.m. Friday on the west end of the track.

Event Chair Paul Brandt said the event has been successful at other fairs. “It is something the Belle Fair had some success with and it went well for us last year,” he said, adding there will be no entry fee.

There will be four groups: Div. 1 (up to 4 years of age) Div. 2 (5-7 years of age), Div. 3 (8-11 years of age), Div. 4 (12-14 years of age). The two older groups have been eliminated. 

Registration will be held at the west end of the track, and Brandt said it’s a good idea to get there early to be sure you secure a spot in the competition.

Pigs will be of varying sizes relative to the age group. 

Brandt explained there will be three pigs relative to each division’s age group, with the animals greased with soap, along with the hands of the competitors.

“Hopefully we’ll have more pigs this year,” said Brandt. “The plan is to have three pigs in the ring

The winner of each division will win $15, while second will earn $10 and third place will receive $5 in cash.

The SxS Obstacle Course will resume once the pig-catching contest is done.

While there is no danger for participants, Brandt said poor sportsmanship and/or cruelty to the animals will not be permitted.

For rules, regulations and entry forms, contact Brandt at 573-291-2141 or Jason Backes at 573-897-4936.

The fair begins with opening ceremonies at 6:45 p.m. Thursday with an invocation by Rev. David Krueger, a Linn Fire Protection District Honor Guard presentation, a performance of the National Anthem by the Linn High School choir and a Tribute to veterans.

There also will be an appreciation ceremony recognizing frontline healthcare workers, law enforcement officers, 911 employees, ambulance personnel, fire department volunteers and first responders.

“With everything that has been going on with COVID-19, we felt it was very important to recognize these folks,” said Activities Chairman Mark Loethen. “Instead of running away from an emergency, they run toward it to help others, and we really want to show our appreciation.”

The Miss Osage County event was to held Sunday at Linn R-2, but due to a lack of interest, the event was canceled.

Registration for the Little Mr. & Miss Contest, with the theme “Beach Bound,” will be held from 6-6:45 p.m., and the competition begins at 7 p.m. Thursday on the main stage.

Motor sports fans can enjoy the Linn Lions garden tractor pull beginning at the same time. 

Stock garden tractors will begin with the stock (10HP), followed by the stock (14HP), youth (12HP), stock (16HP), pro garden (14HP), stock altered (10HP), stock (12HP), pro garden (16HP), stock altered-outlaw (16/30 cubic inch), stock altered (12HP) and modified (16HP).

Classes in the farm tractor pull begin with the 4250 weight class, followed by the 4500, 5000, 5500, 6200, 6500, 7500, 8000, 8500, 9000, 9500, 10,000, 11,000, 12,000 and 13,000.

The K of C Clown Troupe will make the rounds starting at 7 p.m.

Starting at 8:15 p.m., there will be plenty of kids’ games, including a water-balloon toss, bubble-gum blowing contest, turtle races and best-decorated turtle (bring your own decked-out turtle). 

“Music by request” by Joe Knollmeyer will close out the night on the main stage.

Other notes of interest: the food stand will open at 5 p.m., and rides will open at 6 p.m. Unlimited ride armbands may be $20. Rides are offered by PBJ Happee Days.

FRIDAY EVENTS

At 7 p.m., a kids’ tractor pull for children 4-8 years old will include three classes (under 45 pounds, 45-65 pounds and over 65 pounds, with registration from 6:30 to 6:55) and be held at the main stage area. This event is open only to Osage County residents.

And on the main stage, the Parent-Child Look-Alike Contest will be held at 7:30 p.m., followed by a hula-hoop and twist contest at 7:45, and Point 08 will be in concert from 9 to midnight.

The band originally formed in the year 2000 and started performing across Missouri at large festivals, parties, bars, and large clubs. Through the years, there have been a few lineup changes, with the current lineup playing together since 2009. The focus is to provide a high energy show with the big rock hits that you want to hear to keep your feet moving and your drinks in the air.

Point 08 brings solid musicianship to a massive set list of cover songs, which range from the 70’s up until songs that hit the radio just yesterday. Point 08 uses high-end musical equipment and gear. 

SATURDAY

A full day of activities begins at 10 a.m. with the barbecue cook-off competition; judging for pork steaks will be held at 3 p.m. and ribs at 3:30. Charcoal is being donated by Kingsford.

A washer tournament begins at 1 p.m. to kick off several activities, and the power-wheels mud run will be held at the same time on the track. The horseshoes contest begins at 3 p.m., and Mud Bowl XXX starts at 3:30.

The Linn Parents as Teachers “Sports” Baby Show will be conducted virtually this year due to concerns about the coronavirus. Watch the Linn Parents as Teachers Facebook page for details and entry information. Winners will be announced at 6 p.m. Saturday.

From 6 to 6:45, the Mulekicker Cloggers will perform under the pavilion.

“Old Time Country Music” with the Osage County Drifters, showcasing fiddle, bass and waltzes, will go from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

RMC Karaoke will host a kids (16 & under) karaoke contest from 8 to 9 p.m. with a solo category only, for the top two male and female singers. 

From 9 p.m. to midnight the adults will have a turn, with trophies to be given to the top-two best male, best female and best group (two or more) vocalists. 

There is no entry fee, and registration will be offered Saturday prior to each event, which will be held on the picnic pavilion. 

Murphy’s Ford, which hails from Jefferson City, will perform from 9 p.m. to midnight. The American country singer/songwriting duo consisting of Brandon Matthews and Ryan Tomlinson say they “stem from humble beginnings pickin’ guitars and writing songs over after work beers.” It was evident from the first song they wrote together that they had something special that deserved to be pursued beyond the back porch.

Tomlinson, who plays lead guitar player and is a back-up vocalist, was raised in a musical family, his father being somewhat of a local legend as a blues, bluegrass and country guitar player. Tomlinson cites his main influences as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jason Isbell, and his dad Dale Sapp. 

Lead singer/rhythm guitar player Brandon Matthews, while also being a southern rock junky, comes a little more from the country side, citing artists like George Straight, Alabama, Jason Aldean, and Bob Seger as his main musical influences.

Murphy’s Ford’s modern take on country music has landed them many notable opportunities since the duo’s creation in 2013, including opening for country artists Trace Adkins, Frankie Ballard, Locash, Colt Ford, Eli Young band, Stoney Larue, Josh Abbott band, Aaron Watson, Thousand Horses and many more. Murphy’s Ford also made it to the state finals of the Texaco Country Showdown in 2015 and were top 10 national finalists in the Nash Next competition hosted by Nash FM and Big Machine records in 2016. Though they didn’t get the win, the duo was asked to participate in the Nash Next Country Inns and Suites tour later that year. 

When Murphy’s Ford is not onstage turning on new fans they can be found writing songs with some of Nashville’s most talented writers at publishing companies all over town, including The song factory, Dan Hodges music, Major Bob music, Russ Zavitson music, Mucho love music, The Riser house and anywhere else that will have them.

A fireworks show, sponsored by Jim Butler Chevrolet, Mid America Bank, Osage County Concrete and the Unterrified Democrat, will begin at about 10 p.m. Saturday. 

OTHER DETAILS

Daily passes are $5 for Thursday and $15 for each Friday and Saturday. Season tickets are available at Legends Bank in Linn, Loose Creek and Westphalia, and at Mid America Bank in Linn, until Friday evening at a cost of $20 each for those 13 and older. Kids 12 and under get free admission.

All week at the fair, the carnival and rides will be available through PBJ Happee Days with armbands each night from 6 to 10 p.m. which may be purchased at the fair for $20. Rides will be closed Saturday afternoon but will open at 6 p.m. due to concerns with the heat.

“There’s a lot to do and see and we hope everyone will come out and support the fair,” said Loethen. “It’s a neat experience for the community and I’m looking forward to it.”

Emergency personnel will be on standby at the fair, including members of the Osage Ambulance District and Linn Fire Protection District.

The Osage County Sheriff’s Office will also be on hand, but Sheriff Mike Bonham announced that deputies will not use four-wheelers around the fairgrounds except in case of emergency. Bonham wants his deputies on foot so citizens can meet and chat with them more easily. “We gather information that way,” he observed. 

Speed trailers will be deployed by both the county and the MSHP. Emergency lighting will be placed differently this year, and there will also be special caution signs.

CANCELED EVENTS

Kids’ Morning Out has been canceled this year due to the coronavirus, along with the homemade wine contest and wine garden, as well as the 3-on-3 basketball tournament and free-throw contest.

Since the fair moved to its current location in 1980, the chainsaw contest has been a staple, but that event will not be held this year.