Colfax Free Fair starts Thursday, no carnival Sunday
By LeAnn R. Ralph
COLFAX — For the first time in decades – or perhaps even since carnivals became part of the fair – the Colfax Free Fair will not have a carnival on Sunday this year.
The fair opens Thursday, June 13, and closes Sunday, June 16.
On Sunday at 10:30 a.m. there will be music by a worship band on the free stage at the fairgrounds, followed by a non-denominational church service at 11 a.m.
After the church service, a chicken dinner will be served by the Colfax FFA Alumni.
At 1 p.m. on Sunday, the Russell-Toycen American Legion Post 131 of Colfax will retire the colors.
Thursday
The Colfax Free Fair opens at noon on Thursday with the posting of colors by the Russell-Toycen American Legion Post 131.
Small animal judging begins in the livestock arena at 12:30 p.m.
Arts and crafts judging begins in the Arts & Crafts building at 1 p.m. on Thursday.
At 2:30 p.m., there will be water bottle rockets with the 4-H Clubs. Water bottle rockets are made from a plastic bottle and are powered by vinegar and baking soda.
On the midway Thursday, wristbands for $20 will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., a medley of local bands will play on the free stage at the fairgrounds.
At 6 p.m., the cake auction will take place on the free stage.
Cakes that are entered into judging can be auctioned off, and any age can have an entry in the cake auction.
At 8 p.m. Thursday, there will be trivia in the beer tent.
Friday
Livestock judging begins at 9 a.m. Friday in the livestock arena.
On the midway Friday, wristbands for $20 will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Colfax school district music teacher Derek Westholm will perform on the free stage.
At 7 p.m., fair awards will be presented on the stage.
From 8 p.m. until midnight, Rockabilly Riot will play in the beer garden.
Fireworks will be displayed at 10 p.m. Friday.
Saturday
On the midway Saturday, $20 wristbands will be available from 12 noon until 4 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
At 12:30 p.m., the Dunn County Dairy Open Show will take place in the livestock arena.
At 6 p.m., the Colfax FFA Alumni Auction is scheduled in the livestock arena. The auction typically includes quite a few pigs, some beef steers, and a few goats and sometimes sheep, along with a few small animals, such as rabbits and chickens.
Area businesses also donate flower baskets and a variety of other items for sale, such as pizza from A Little Slice of Italy, and gift baskets donated by organizations and individuals.
From 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Rattlefoot will be the band playing in the beer garden.
Sunday
While the carnival will not be open on Sunday, area residents are welcome to enjoy the church service and chicken dinner and to take the time to visit with friends, family and neighbors.
Daily
Daily throughout the fair, the Colfax Municipal Building Restoration Group and the Colfax Public Library will have booths in the Commercial Building at the Colfax Free Fair.
The theme for this year’s CMBRG booth will be Dr. O.M. Felland.
Dr. O.M. Felland, age 76, who practiced family medicine in Colfax for 45 years, died in May of 1974 at his home in Colfax.
Another article in this week’s Messenger contains additional information about Dr. Felland and CMBRG’s fair booth.
