Allegan County Fair brings fairgrounds to life
By Gari Voss
The 172nd Allegan County Fair flings wide its gates to the public on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 1pm. Animal barns are filling, handcrafted items are being displayed, the Skerbeck Carnival Rides are arriving, the Agricultural Hall hosts the best from the gardens and fields, the Industrial Hall is ready for commercial ventures, and food trucks and booths are coming to life. The excitement will continue until Saturday, Sept. 14th.
Each day, the Fair gates will open at 8am, except the first Friday. Even before the Fair opens on the 6th, breakfast can be found at the Camp Kidwell Diner or the Allegan Band Booth. The Commercial Exhibit Buildings will be open from 11am-10pm. During the week, carnival rides begin at 3pm and on weekends begin at noon with special wristband offers if purchased before the Fair opens.
Other things to know as the Fair opens…
Special Days
When deciding the best days to attend the Fair, it is helpful to know days that honor special populations.
The first Saturday opens Show Us Your Talent! in the Youth Building at 2pm.
Sunday features Taste of the Fair with free food samples.
Monday & Wednesday finds Harness Racing at the Grandstand beginning at Noon.
Monday is Parade Day through the streets of Allegan with Carload and Children’s Day on the fairgrounds. The Grandstand is free.
Tuesday welcomes Senior Citizens with a $5 entry until noon and breakfast and a program at 8am in the Hilltop Tent.
Wednesday finds Ladies Day with a $5 entry until noon, and a wonderful Ladies Day Program at 8am in the Hilltop Tent.
Wednesday’s Youth Livestock Auction begins at 10am, but organizers encourage an early arrival to pick up an auction number and view animals.
Thursday honors Veterans and all vets with military confirmation are admitted free.
What Happens Where
Visitors are encouraged to keep an eye on the Weldon Rumery Arena where the animal open and youth classes occur, and the Wednesday Livestock auction is held. The competitions usually begin about 9am.
The Flats, at the far west end of the racetrack, welcomes the equine shows. The first Saturday finds the Youth Horse and Pee Wee Fun Show beginning at 10am. Sunday is the Western Horse and Gymkhana Show at 9am. Monday at 9am begins the Harness Pony and Mini-Mule Cart-Hitch. Tuesday at 4pm is the Youth Driving Horse Class, while on the last Saturday at 9am, the English Horse Show enters the arena.
A walk across the fairgrounds takes fairgoers past many animal barns to the John Pahl Historical Village where donuts and apple cider are on the menu along with its thousands of artifacts and pieces of equipment that formed Allegan County.
Take lunch at the Camp Kidwell Diner and chat with those at the Cook Oil Station before winding down the path to the Agricultural Hall, Commercial Vendors, and Home Economics & Arts Building.
Keep an eye on the Youth Building where the Show Us Your Talent competition will begin on Sunday at 2pm, with Semi-Finals at 6pm on Thursday, and Finals at 6pm on Friday.
Emerging from the buildings, wanderers will find themselves near the east end of the grounds at the Community and Children’s Area. Dan In The Sand will be creating wonderful works of art from more than 120 yards of sand. No one knows what will emerge, so daily checks are required.
Grandstand Entertainment
Many fairgoers become the audience of the lineup of shows on the Grandstand Stage or track. Tickets can be purchased through Etix.com or at the Fair Box Office at 150 Allegan Co. Fair Dr.
Fri. the 6th, 7:30pm: Ludacris
Sat. the 7th, 7pm: Third Eye Blind, Theory of a Deadman with guest Of Mice & Men
Sun. the 8th, 6pm: Off Road Demo Derby
Mon. the 9th, 6:30pm: Dancing with the Steers! Parade begins Downtown.
7pm: Parade arrives at the Free Grandstand
Tues. the 10th, 7pm: Flying Star Rodeo
Wed. the 11th, 7pm: WPI/NTPA Truck & Tractor Pull
Thurs. the 12th, 7:30pm: Jamey Johnson with Whitney Morgan & the 78s.
Fri. the 13th, 7:30pm: Oliver Anthony Music
Sat. the 14th, 6pm: State Championship Demolition Derby
Midway & Rides
Weekdays: Open at 3pm
Weekends (Sat. & Sun.): Open at Noon
