LINN  — Linn Lions Club Osage County Fair Chairman Clell Baker said he’s excited to welcome everyone to this year’s event, which starts Wednesday and runs through Saturday night.

“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 Baker. “This is a family-oriented fair, and everything is geared toward that. There’s something for just about everyone at the fair.”

While the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed, there is still a concern from health department officials about the Delta variant. However, there will be no mask requirement at the fair.

“People are welcome to wear a mask if they feel more comfortable doing that,” said Baker. “We’ll have hand sanitizer if anyone needs it, and social distancing is still a good idea.”

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

A new event this year is the demolition derby put on by FFT-Flowers Full Throttle Demolition Derby, LLC.

“We didn’t have anyone for Friday night and this group contacted us,” said Baker, who explained that last year’s SxS Obstacle Course and the figure-eight racing were not as popular among Lions Club members. “It worked out pretty well.”

There are some differences this year, starting with the Miss Osage County contest, which will be held Wednesday on the main stage. This event has been held at other locations in years past but was canceled last year due to a lack of interest. Winners will be announced Thursday as part of the welcome ceremony.

The fair begins with opening ceremonies at 6:45 p.m. on 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.”

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. The contest is open only to Osage County residents ages 4 and 5 by  July 1. There is no registration fee. For more information, contact Nikki Bax at 573-301-6944.

Motorsports 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.

Back by popular demand from three years ago, “Steve the Reptile Man” will present his live show at 8 p .m. at the main stage area. Be sure to check out this informative session that will feature lizards, snakes, and many other reptiles.

Starting at 9 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.

Notes of interest: The food stand will open at 5 p.m. but this year the menu has changed a bit. German pot roast will not be served but you can still enjoy the famous Linn Lions fish sandwich, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and fries.

Also, instead of a midway full of rides and lights, Carnie King Entertainment, which is owned by some of the people affiliated with Southern Fun, will provide a dozen or so inflatable bounce houses, a limited number of games, and a food trailer. Tickets for the inflatables are $2 each, 10 for $15, or 20 for $30. There will be no armbands this year.

FRIDAY EVENTS

Kids’ Morning Out returns to the fair after being canceled last year due to the pandemic.

From 9 to 11:30 a.m., kids will have a variety of activities to enjoy, including a reading by local author Sunshine Shanks, and a visit from Skoot and KC the Clown.

This program is presented by Osage Ambulance District, Linn Fire Protection District, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Osage County Health Department, Central Missouri Community Action, Three Rivers Electric Cooperative, and FFA members from Chamois, Linn, and Fatima. 

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 at 8 p.m. for the greased-pig-catching contest will be held.

“We thought about changing to a different event but this seems to be something a lot of people enjoy,” said Baker.

This year, the contest will be held in the barn arena instead of on the track.

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. 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.

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

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

From 9 p.m. to midnight, the Dave Baker Band will perform on the State Tech stage.

SATURDAY

A full day of activities begins at 10 a.m. with the barbecue cook-off competition; judging for chicken will be held at 2:30 p.m. and ribs at 3. Charcoal is being donated by Kingsford for each participant to take home after the competition. Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries.

Registration for the washer tournament will be from noon to 12:30 and the action 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., along with the 3-on-3 basketball tournament and free-throw contest, held at the State Tech Activity Center, and the chainsaw contest, both of which return after missing last year.

Mud Bowl XXXI starts at 3:30.

The Linn Parents as Teachers “Day at the Beach” Baby Show returns to the main stage after a virtual competition last year due to COVID-19, starting at 5:30 p.m.

This is open only to Osage County residents in the following categories: birth to 12 months, 12-24 months, 24-36 months, and 36-48 months. There is no fee for those registered by July 9; a $2 registration fee will be assessed on Saturday. Those registering the day of the event need to be at the main stage by 5 p.m., and those with pre-registration are asked to arrive at the main stage by 5:15 p.m. Registration forms are available at Linn Thriftway, Legends Bank in Linn, and the Osage County Library. Forms may also be obtained at https://google/a57FIT.

For more information, contact Cassie Sneller at 573-298-2997, or Abigail Duke at 573-694-2575.

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

Ross Entertainment 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. 

From 9 p.m. to midnight, Prairie Moon will perform on the State Tech stage.

A perennial favorite, the fireworks show, sponsored by Jim Butler Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram, Mid America Bank, Osage County Concrete, and the Unterrified Democrat, will begin at about 10 p.m. Saturday. 

OTHER DETAILS

Admission to the fair is $5 on Thursday, and $15 on Friday and Saturday. A season pass is $20 and may be purchased through Thursday at the fair gate. Season tickets may also be purchased at Legends Bank in Linn, Loose Creek, and Westphalia, and Mid America Bank in Linn.

There is no charge for children 12 and under.

“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 more information that way,” he said. “It’s important for us to get to know the people we serve and protect.”

Speed trailers will be deployed by both the county and the MSHP, and there will also be special caution signs.

For fair updates, follow Linn Lions Club on Facebook.