So Much Fun to Share at the Porter County Fair!

Get ready for the best 10 days of summertime! The Porter County Fair is celebrating its 163rd season of entertaining the happy and active communities around the Porter County area. As always, the fair includes a variety of 4-H projects and contests, exciting fair rides, fantastic grandstand events, interesting and funny free entertainment, delicious food, and so much more.

“We have some awesome things going on at the fair this year; a lot of new, free entertainment, grandstand shows, 4-H shows, and of course the food and rides. Everything is definitely fun and very busy this year,” Porter County Fair Manager Kevin Hannon said.

In addition to all the fair has to offer, admission prices have been changed since last year to make everything more affordable and fun. Every day before noon admission is FREE—this includes weekends as well. After 12:00 p.m., the entrance price is $6 for adults and children over the age of 10. Free admission is still given to those under the age of 10.

On Veterans Day (July 24th), seniors, veterans, and any current members of the armed forces have free admission. Porter Regional Hospital is sponsoring the Senior Circle Day activities at the fair starting at 9:00 a.m.

4-H is the largest part of the Porter County Fair and highlights the great work those involved have accomplished every year. Nationally, 4-H is the largest youth development organization with chapters in all 50 states. Porter County has over 1,000 members in this highly involved association and 200 role-oriented volunteers.

“4-H is why we have the fair. It’s a celebration of the kids involved and how hard they work on their projects throughout the year. Ultimately, that’s why we are all here. Our love of 4-H is felt on our board because nearly 100% of our members were in 4-H as kids. Many volunteer their time to help make this a great 10 days for the community,” Hannon said.

Another wonderful addition to this year’s fair includes a food drive. Yes— the Indiana State Fair, Indiana Association of Fairs (INAF), Elanco, Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. and Feeding Indiana’s Hungry (FIsH) have come together to create FAIRs Care (Feeding All Indiana’s Hungry). The Porter County Fair strongly supports this drive and will be taking donations on July 19th from noon until 8:15 p.m. at a booth by the Grandstand.

Tickets sold to see the Duck Dynasty show will also provide a donation to FAIRs Care.

“Once we get through the prior years fair, we go to a national convention and a state convention to meet people in the music industry. David Bagnall (Grandstand Superintendent) does a tremendous job working in the music industry and has a finger on who will be best for our entertainment,” Hannon said.

Hunter Hayes, rising American country singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, will grace the grand stand later tonight in his highly anticipated sold out show. Future entertainment acts will include Duck Dynasty’s Willie & Korie(July 19th),Justin Moore (July 20th), a Demolition Derby (July 21st), Bull Riding & DeWayne Spaw (July 22nd), Monster Truck Night (July 23rd), Tractor & Truck Pull (July 24th), Martin Xtreme Motorcycle Racing (July 25th & 26th), and another Demolition Derby (July 27th).

Family fun shows will feature: a BMX Stunt Bike Show, Barney of Mayberry & Grandpa Cratchet Show, Midway Magic, Team Rock, Swifty Swine Pig Racing, Great Lakes Chorus Show & Good Time Cloggers, Great American Duck Racing, Comic Ventriloquist & Physical Comic Fun, X-Rock Classic Bike & Valpo Band, and the Wild World of Animals & Harbor Lights Doo Wop.

There will also be another addition to the fair’s countless rides. The all new swing ride, called Speed, takes riders 100 feet in the air—high enough to see past State Road 49 and into the town of Valparaiso! This thrill ride is designed for adults and requires a height minimum as per usual. Wristbands are available all day for $22 or $15 from noon to 6:00 p.m.

“I would like to thank all our volunteers that helped us put this on. Each department here at the fair, whether it be the rabbit barn or the 4-H building, there is a small crew that runs each of those and they all work hard to keep their area as perfect as possible,” Hannon said.

Make sure to come out and join in on all the fun!

Visit the Porter County Fair Official Facebook page!

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Sponsors for the Porter County Fair: Bass Pro Shops, Courtyard by Marriot, Family Express, Harley Davidson of Valparaiso, Hoeppner Wagner and Evans, Kennedy Mazda, Net Nitco, True Value Kouts and Hebron, Blythes Sport Shop, Von Excavating, Times Media Company, Holiday Inn, Patten Industries, Schilling Lumber, Radio One Communications, STA Construction, Hamstra Group, Paul Schafer - Auto Yard, Farm Bureau Inc., Farm Bureau Insurance, PNC Porter County, Cargill, Jeffrey's Jewelers, Art Hill Ford, Paul Sur Buick/ GMC, Tractor Supply Company, REMC, Porter Regional Hospital, Woody View Farms, Jakes Feed and Garden, Interstate Batteries.