Fair Overview

The small community of Cole Camp goes all out once a year for their local country fair.  It includes activities and entertainment for all ages.  The "main" part of the fair is held on the first Thursday, Friday and Saturday after Labor Day in September, with additional activities held prior to these three days, such as the Fair Queen contest and the Horse Show.  It involves the volunteer effort of over 500 people from the town and surrounding area to bring everything together for the fair.  Work for the fair starts several months ahead of "fair time" for some of the volunteers.  There are several groups that build their float to be entered into the Grand Parade each day.  These floats are works of art, with hundreds of hand made flowers on each float.  Each year there is a different theme for the fair, and most of these beautiful floats follow that theme.  The 2003 Cole Camp Fair theme is "Destination: Fun in 2003".  It would not be unusual for thousands of people to attend the fair to see this parade on Saturday evening, and to enjoy visiting old friends and making new ones - this from a town with a population of under 1500.

This is a country fair put on by a farming community, so much of the focus is also on entering crafts, home grown products, and the farm related livestock, into the various departments to compete for a prize.  All of the various fair activities are coordinated by around 40 different committees, with some committees having 12 to 15 members.  Many of the town's businesses close for business during the fair days, and open their buildings to house the fair exhibits.  If you want to see what can be done by this community, and have a very enjoyable time, come visit our fair this year.  There is something different each day, and with the exhibits open every day for all to admire and enjoy.

Sutton United Expositions is providing the rides and concession stand entertainment this year.  This year they will provide rides with "Pay One Price" tickets on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 12 Noon to 4:00 p.m.  The tickets for Thursday may be purchased in advance at Cash's Thriftway and Posie Pedldler in Cole Camp, and at Williams Press in Lincoln.  If purchased in advance, the tickets are $12.00 while if purchased on Thursday they are $15.00.  The Saturday tickets are $15.00.

 Cole Camp Fair Book Information
 

The 2003 Cole Camp Fair book is now available.  Contained in it are all the entry rules for all competition, the location where all exhibits will be entered, a listing of all the committees, and the official schedule of all events.  The book is available at various Cole Camp businesses, such as Cash's Thriftway, Citizens-Farmers Bank, Handel Haus, Joy Marie Gifts, Cole Camp Auto Parts, P-J's Emporium, and Bormann's Service Station.  Several of the area's citizens also distribute the books and ask for financial support.
 
 
 

 
 Parade Reserved Seats Information
 

There are reserved seats on each side of the parade route for the city block that is in front of the grand stand and announcer's platform.  Tickets for these seats must be purchased prior to each of the nightly grand parades.  Advanced tickets may be purchased at Posie Peddler, beginning at 9:00 a.m. on August 18th.  Phone sales or reservations will not be accepted - you must come into the shop to purchase your seat ticket. Front row - $3.00 per seat, other rows - $2.00 per seat.

 

 
 Fair Queen and Future King and Queen

The 2003 Cole Camp Fair Queen contest took place Sunday evening, August 3th at 7:30 p.m. at the L.C. Schnell Auditorium (Lutheran School Auditorium).  In late July, there were 5 ladies that had entered for the contest.  One will be selected to have the title of Cole Camp Fair Queen, with the two runner ups being her attendants.  The five ladies entered are:

• Miss Mindy Renee Balke, sponsored by Cole Camp Pharmacy
• Miss Sandra Lynneil Essley, sponsored by Kathy's Kountry Kurl
• Miss Megan Jenelle Jasper, sponsored by T J's Quick Stop
• Miss Felicia Nine, sponsored by Cole Camp Pump Service
• Miss Megan Randolph, sponsored by The Dairy Bar

Selected from these entries for the final three candidates are:

• Miss Sandra Lynneil Essley
• Miss Megan Jenelle Jasper
• Miss Felicia Nine

The 2003 Cole Camp Fair Queen will be announced and crowned just before the Grand Parade on Thursday evening. Some of the pictures of this event may be found at http://fair.colecamparea.com.

The 2003 Cole Camp Future King and Queen contest was held on Sunday afternoon, August 3th at 1:30 p.m. at the L.C. Schnell Auditorium.  One couple was selected to be the Future King and Queen with the two runner up couples to be announced Thursday evening just before the coronation of the Cole Camp Fair Queen.  There were 20 entries for this contest.  They are:

• Savannah Lauren Dieckman
• Brittany Roberts
• Jacob Christian Brockfeld
• Maci Ann Janelle Carrico
• William Tanner Kerksiek
• Alyssa Marie Oelrichs
• Noah Dawson Craig
• John Wayne Haase, Jr.
• Zachery Reed Craig
• Kendra Renae Allen
• Austin Berendzen
• Elizabeth Craig
• Hanna Rose Westermier
• Zane Joseph Brandes
• Emery Shipley
• Josilyn BreAnn Harms
• Kaylynn Zimmerschied
• Bailey Heimsoth
• Adisen Harms
• Casey Jean Bahrenburg

The three finalists for Future King are:

• John Wayne Hasse, Jr.
• Zane Joseph Brandes
• Adisen Harms

The three finalists for Future Queen are:

• Hanna Rose Westermier
• Emery Shipley
• Casey Jean Bahrenburg

Some of the pictures of this event may be found at http://fair.colecamparea.com.

 

Benton County Cancer Society Fund Drive

This event is not an official part of the Cole Camp Fair, but is an event that ends during the Cole Camp Fair.  A similar event has occurred during the past 5 years, with the goal of raising significant amounts of money to go to the Benton County Cancer Society, to be used by and for cancer patients in the local community.  Several fund raising events take place immediately prior to the Cole Camp Fair.  A goal is established for these fund raising events, and if the goal is met, a local gentleman has agreed to have his beard and hair cut and/or shaved to commemorate the completion of the event.  In past years, the following individuals have consented to have their hair cut on the grandstand on Saturday night in honor of the community's financial support of the fund drives:

• Wayne Balke - 1998
• Morris Williams - 1999
• Joe Lutjen - 2000
• Steve Dority - 2001
• Burton Bormann - 2002

The 2003 fund drive is under way and Jerry Green has agreed to have his head shaved for this worth while cause.  Watch this web site for more information, or contact Jerry at the Little Brother Industries Antique Shop for more information. A "Boot Drive" at the 4-way Stop is being considered, as well as a friendly bidding competition on who the lucky barber will be to do the shaving on Saturday evening.

Everyone is asked to provide their support for this worth while event, and to come to watch Jerry get his hair removed during the intermission of the Kevin Morris Performance on Saturday night.

 

Truck and Tractor Pull

A Truck and Tractor Pull will be held on Friday, August 29 behind the R-1 School.  Entries begin at 6:00 p.m., with the contest begining at 6:30 p.m. with the Ironman Sled.  There are scales on the grounds.  Refer to the Cole Camp Fair Book for class and entry details.  Admission is $8.00, children 6-12 is $3.00 and 5 and under are free.  The entry fee for all trucks and tractors will be $15.00. The Outlaw Sanctioned Pull is part of this event.

Note: this has been rescheduled due to rain. The event will be held Friday, September 12 with same rules, entry fees, location, and times as was planned earlier.

 

Antique & Classic Tractor Pull

The 17th Annual 2002 Cole Camp Fair Antique & Classic Tractor Pull will be held on Saturday, August 30 behind the R-1 School.  Weigh-in starts at 3:00 p.m. with scales on the grounds.  Refer to the Cole Camp Fair Book for class and entry details.  Admission is $5.00, all under 12 are admitted free.  There will also be concessions on the grounds.

Note: this has been rescheduled due to rain. The event will be held Sunday, September 21 starting at 12:00 noon, behind the R-1 school.

 

Open Horse Show

An open horse show will be held on Sunday, August 31 at the Saddle Club Arena, behind the R-1 School.  Entries will be taken from 10:00 a.m. to 12 Noon, with the show beginning at Noon.  The entry fee is $4.00 per class, except for the Stock Horse, Pleasure ($5.00 fee), the 4-H Horsemanship (no fee), the Trail Class ($5.00 fee), and the Barrel Race, Open ($5.00 fee).  Proof of negative Coggins test is required for all horses from outside the State of Missouri prior to entry onto the arena grounds.  Admission to the event for 13 and over is $2.00, 7 to 12 is $1.00, and under 7 is free. Lunch is available on grounds. Horses will be entered as one type only (saddle or stock when indicated) and Judge's decision is final.  The classes are:

1. 18 & Under Youth Halter, Showmanship
2. 18 & Under Youth Halter, Ponies (54" & Under)
3. Halter, Stock Type, 2003 Foals
4. Halter, Saddle Type, 2002-2003 Foals
5. Halter, Stock Type, 2002 Foals
6. Halter, Stock, 2 Years & Over
7. Halter, Saddle Type
8. Walk Trot (7 thru 10 Years)
9. Lead Line (6 Years & Under)
10. Saddle Horse, Pleasure, Open
11. Stock Horse, Pleasure ($5.00 fee, 100% payback)
12. Youth Pleasure (Riders 18 & Under) (Saddle or Stock)
13. Junior Western Pleasure (Horses 2 & 3 Years Old)
14. Youth Horsemanship (18 Years & Under) (Cannot enter Class #15)
15. 4-H Horsemanship (Benton County Only - No Fee)
    Must have copy of 4-H Horse Entry Form
16. English Horsemanship, Open)
17. Pony Cart (54" & Under)
18. Single Hitch (Horses & Mules)
19. Trail Class ($10 Entry Fee, Payback $10, $8, $6, $4) 4 Minutes
20. Hitched Teams (54" & Under)
21. Hitched Teams (Horse & Mules)
22. Egg & Spoon
23. Pole Bending, Youth (18 and Under)
24. Pole Bending, Adults (19 and Over)
25. Flag Race, Open
26. Barrel Race, Youth (18 & Under)
27. Barrel Race, Open ($5 Entry Fee, $100 Payback $40, $30, $20, $10)

Hope to see you at the Horse Show on Sunday!

Note: this event has been rescheduled due to rain. It will be held on Sunday, September 7, same place, entry fees, times and location as was planned earlier.