Marshall-Putnam Fair Will Kick off 98th Fair with Tradition

The 98th annual Marshall-Putnam Fair with kick off on Wednesday, July 10, with the longest running grandstand event.

Marshall-Putnam Fair harness racing dates all the way back to 1921 when the first fair was held. Keeping with this tradition, the 2019 “Jurassic-A-Fair” will also be offering harness racing beginning at 5 p.m. in front of the grandstand. Those interested may participate in “Pick-A-Winner.” If they pick the winning horse, they just might win a prize ranging from Fairbucks to a chicken dinner compliments of Kenyon’s Place.

Individuals should get to the fairgrounds earlier so they can challenge their stacking skills by building the tallest tower of cookies. This fun contest begins at 4 p.m. in the Commercial Building. Cookie stacking is open to fair go-ers of all ages, children to adults. After testing their stacking skills, fair goers can stop by the Activity Building to enjoy the annual kickoff dinner, with serving from 5 to 7 p.m. Dinner will be a choice of a ribeye or pork chop sandwich, served with homegrown Illinois sweet corn, green beans, applesauce and peaches.

Top off the evening by visiting the wine tasting held in the Hunt Building beginning at 5:30 p.m. At 7 p.m., the ever-popular decorated hat contest will get underway. Cody Calkins will be providing music for this event from 6 to 9 p.m.

Thursday, July 11, is T-Rex Thursday at the Marshall-Putnam Fair. The morning is dedicated to the senior members of communities as the Honorable Scott Shore and Judge Mike McCusky host the senior citizens’ program with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. and the program from 9 to 11 a.m. This program offers fun and entertainment, including music by the Torpedo Boys.

Youngsters can have a roaring good time at Family Fun Night beginning at 4 p.m. Some of the many activities will include face painting, Balloon Artist Allan Adcock, carnival games, inflatables and train rides. There will also be raffle prizes and a 50/50. The Upper Limits rock climbing wall will be there from 1 to 8 p.m. All activities at Family Fun Night are free.

New to the fair this year is the country concert. The Marshall-Putnam Fair is excited to offer the Dylan Schneider Concert with opener, Austin Burke. General admission tickets are available online by following the link on the fair website. There are still VIP tickets available as well. Schneider and Burke are both up and rising country stars straight out of Nashville.

For a complete schedule of events, visit the fair’s website at www.marshallputnamfair.org.

Source: Putnam County Record