By Genine Hopkins
Clare County Fair 2025 is set to be a humdinger of a fair with the regular fan favorites of a demolition derby, a mud bog, rodeo, of course the 4-H animal exhibition for animals big and small, rides and special free performances daily. Running from Sunday, July 20th through Saturday, July 26th, the Clare County Fair will be one to remember.
Kickin’ the music off on Sunday, July 20th, will be Gospel singers The Vander Veens. Harrison’s own family of Gospel singers. Known for their beautiful harmonies and uplifting music, they are sure to inspire!
The rides? There are deals for those who will want to attend every or most days of the fair and those who might just be doing a day visit. Ride bracelets must be purchased on line preferably a day in advance and some of the special pre-sales must be made BEFORE Sunday (July 20th)! First a detail of the specials…
If you are going to ride every day of the fair, you might be best served by a “MEGA band” that is $90 and allows you access to the rides every single day! But sales stop on Saturday evening (July 19th) so if that is your dream, better log on and get your band now! The Midway opens on Tuesday, which is, as indicated below KID’S day at the fair for armbands.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday wristbands are $30 and Tuesday is Kid’s Day, for pre-sales the cost is $20 to ride from 1 p.m. to close or $25 on site. Thursday is $20 pre-sale online at least 24 hours prior and $25 day of purchase. Unfortunately, the days of coupons for special pricing usually found at the Family Fare or Witbecks are over; they never came back after COVID. But online makes the purchase convenient and hey, it saves some trees too! Log onto https://www.clarecountyfair.org/ride-specials.html and scroll to the bottom of the page to click on the “Purchase Tickets Here” button.
Harness racing, a tradition of all county fairs is back and reasonably priced. Tickets are $8 for adults and $3 for kids. Harness, Quarter-horse, and Thoroughbred racing are in the rear view mirror in Michigan so taking the family to witness true horse power in action will be inspiring to a generation that may not even realize why we gauge engine in “horse power.” Racing is 4 p.m. on Wednesday, 1 p.m. on Thursday, and noon on Friday at the Grandstand.
On Tuesday and Thursday at 5 p.m. there will be a bicycle drawing and you must be present to win. Tuesday’s drawing is sponsored by Witbeck’s and Thursday’s is sponsored by Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home. So kids, need a new bike? Now’s your chance!
The Demolition Derby will hit the grandstand on Tuesday at 7 p.m. and there’s even a “powerwheels” division for kids ages 3 to 10! All riders must be pre-registered at least one hour prior to showtime. Other divisions include Youth, Powderpuff, and Stock.
Wednesday music is Woodman Unplugged, a father-son acoustic duo that is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Like other music this year, Woodman Unplugged is local so you would be supporting Clare County’s great musicians – and trust me Clare County is known for great musicians! They will be performing at the Beer Tent.
If you like Classic Rock, then Thursday is your day to swing by the Beer Ten and enjoy the classic rock sounds of Big Smile, a Clare County band that will take you back to Big Hair and Love and Peace!
Love watching big trucks tackle big mud? Then Friday’s Mud Mitten Mud Bog is not to be missed! This event will take place at the Grandstand at 7 p.m. and will surely kick up the mud.
Saturday concludes the big events with the Super Kicker Rodeo at 7 p.m. This will bring a bit of the Old West to Clare County with champion style barrel racing and bull riding.
One of the newer events that will be free on Tuesday through Thursday is Pirates of the Columbian Caribbean Aerial High Wire Thrill Show that is sure do draw “oohs” and “ahhs” from the crowd with their daring stunts on the high wire. Check out the show times once you get to the fairgrounds.
Of course the 4-H competition in the raising and showing of numerous animals from rabbits and roosters to lambs and horses will be taking place every day of the fair. Learning to raise and care for animals and how to nurture them so they can become winners is an important skill kids in 4-H learn as well as how and where our food comes from in the swine and bee, goat and dairy competition. These kids worked hard to raise their animals and didn’t have their noses glued to their phones because if you’ve ever raised animals you know there is little time left over for more frivolous endeavors. Come out and support your local 4-H kids!
A complete break down of all showing events is available at https://www.clarecountyfair.org/show-schedule.html.
