CLEARFIELD – Even though it’s still early in the year, it is never too early to start planning for the 156th Clearfield County Fair, and in the spring area residents eagerly await the list of acts to perform on the main grandstand stage, the Grove stage and in the Expo II plaza.
The Clearfield County Fair and Park Board held a press conference Wednesday to announce the acts planning on making an appearance, and to also announce a return of Kid’s Day with a major act on the Grandstand stage as well as special admission on that Tuesday.
This year’s fair will run Aug. 1-6 with special preview day on July 31 when admission and parking are free. Greg Hallstrom Sr. and Brenda Morgan made the announcements.
July 31 is the annual Fair Queen contest on the main stage where local young women compete for the opportunity to represent the best of Clearfield County for a year.
On Aug. 1 will be the annual Firemen’s parade followed by a fireworks display. The parade will begin at 6 p.m.
Aug. 2 will see a crowd pleaser in a local entertainer who has garnered nationwide acclaim when Ryan Pelton takes the stage in an Elvis Tribute show.
Pelton has won multiple awards, appeared in numerous shows, a movie and even American Idol and his star continues to rise.
Hallstrom noted Pelton appeared on the David H. Litz Grove stage several years ago, and there wasn’t room for all the fans, so this year they are bringing him to the grandstand.
The Marshall Tucker Band will take the stage Aug. 3. The southern rock/country band has been entertaining fans since 1972 with such hits as Heard it in a Love Song, Can’t You See, Fire on the Mountain, Desert Skies and more. The band will appear with special guest Creedence Clearwater Revisited.
Aug. 4 will see the return of the ever popular Truck and Tractor Pull by Full Pull Productions.
Jake Owen hit the country scene in 2006 with his album Startin’ with Me and has been going strong ever since, touring with such acts as Jason Aldean, Little Big Town and Sugarland. Owen will hit the stage Aug. 5 at the Clearfield fair.
He will be joined by Chris Lane, whose first single was Broken Windshield View and who has opened for such acts as The Band Perry and Florida Georgia Line.
The FMX Bike Show will return Aug. 6 at 12 p.m. Hallstrom said the event last year turned out to be extremely popular with people asking for its return.
That night Lady Antebellum will take the stage. After hitting the airwaves in 2007, Lady Antebellum has rocketed to one of the top country acts with such songs as Need You Now, Just a Kiss and Bartender.
The band will be joined by the Hobbs Sisters, Pennsylvania natives who are also twin sisters and are making a name for themselves with harmony driven songs.
“It’s getting tougher to get quality for what we can afford,” Hallstrom noted.
The other big news was the return of big events on Tuesday, traditionally Kid’s Day at the fair. Appearing on the Grandstand stage that morning will be Wonder Woman and Batman, who will be working with local elementary schools to bring a strong anti-bullying message to kids.
After the show, Wonder Woman and Batman will make their way to the grove for a meet-and-greet with all their young fans.
From 9-11 a.m. that morning, admission to the park will be free for everyone, making the day a special one for all family members. Those interested in riding the rides on the midway can purchase an all-day ride wrist band for $6.
Hallstrom said the fair board really wants to make Tuesday a special day for families again and added that the fair queens will be planning special activities as well, such as the pedal pull, eating contests and more.
He said in recent years they took a step back from the big acts and focused on making it a fun day for kids and their families, and this year they are hoping to both have a big event with Wonder Woman and Batman while also having the smaller activities everyone has come to enjoy.
The acts for the grove stage have not been settled yet, but one thing they are looking at is to bring a Family Feud style competition to the fair, which is something they have seen elsewhere.
Returning to the Expo II plaza this year is Buffo, the World’s Strongest Clown; the Bar C Ranch Petting Zoo and Circle C Hogway Speedway.
New this year will be the World of Wonders “Amazement Show” with 10 acts under the big top, including sword swallowing, fire breathing, etc. The show also includes the Escape Explosion Show with handcuff, rope and chain escapes.
There will also be new contests along joining all the tried and true contests. Due to the popularity of the wine-making contest, the fair is adding a home brew contest this year. There will also be a scarecrow decorating contest and Christmas tree decorating contest.
Also new this year is the Minted Farmers’ Market from Grampian. The farmers’ market will include local products and encourages shopping local and eating local.
The market will be open July 31 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Aug. 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They are looking for more vendors to join them and can be reached at mintedmarket@yahoo.com or on Facebook.
Admission prices will remain the same at $8. Advance gate passes are $5 or a family value pass, with six gate-only passes for $25 is also available. Online sales will begin Monday and those interested can print an order form and mail it beginning Monday.
Phone and walk-up sales begin July 5. The premium books will go to print the second week of April and will be online then as well.
Those who order concert tickets by April 15 will also get free gate admission.