The fun won’t end after the last firework fills the sky on July 4. Just a few days later, the LaPorte County Fair begins.
Indiana’s oldest county fair offers a perfect mix of 4-H events, music, rides, games and scrumptious food. One of the LaPorte County 
Fair’s unique features is Pioneer Land, a community of rustic buildings that includes demonstrations of how life was lived in the pioneer days.
And this year the fair will also feature none other than Willie Nelson in concert, as well as a KISS tribute band.
While the fair’s official dates are July 7-13, there are also events Saturday, July 6, to kick things off. See the schedule highlights below for the whole week.
The LaPorte County Agricultural Association sponsored the first LaPorte County Fair in 1845, the fair’s website (www.laportecountyfair.org) notes. “As we were essentially an agricultural society in the early days, special emphasis was in promoting quality farm products. Events such as horse racing, stage shows and carnival attractions were later added. In the early 1900s, 4-H youth became involved and expanded rapidly when in 1918 a Boys and Girls Club building was 
erected. The 4-H program is now the main educational program, even though the adult agricultural and domestic programs continue to be an important part of the fair.”
SCHEDULE, TICKET INFORMATION
Listed below are just some highlights scheduled during the fair. For a complete schedule, including all 4-H and open class judging and events, click on the following link:
http://www.laportecountyfair.org/schedule.php
For ticket prices and information for the fair and its concerts and events, click on the following link:
http://www.laportecountyfair.org/tickets.php
Saturday, July 6
8:30 am: 4-H 10-Year Member Breakfast and presentations of Robert M. Morse 4-H Fair Board, Louis M. Daube Memorial & 4-H 
Booster & Alumni scholarships
Noon: Farm & Fancy Open Draft Horse Hitch Show – Draft Horse Arena
1:30 pm: 4-H Mini Bicycle Rodeo (Grandstand)
3 pm: Mini 4-H Pet Parade (Show Arena)
6 pm: Farm and Fancy Hitch Show – Draft Horse Arena
Sunday, July 7
9 am: Antique Tractor Pull (North Infield) – free
11 am: Old Time Church Service – School House – Pioneer Land
Noon: Veterans Day Program (Grandstand)
Noon – 10 pm: 4-H Exhibit Buildings open
Noon – 9 pm: Fair Preview; gate admission $5 (no rides today)
12:30-2:30 pm: Scott Rosenbaum group Sly Rose (1950s-1990s music) – Pioneer Land Entertainment Tent (free)
1:30 pm: Farm and Fancy Hitch Show featuring Percheron Thunder – Draft Horse Arena
3:30-5:30 pm: Shiny Penny (Unique Rock ‘n Roll) – Pioneer Land (free)
5-7 pm: Cripple Creek playing on Log Cabin Porch, Pioneer Land (free)
5-7 pm: Log Cabin Bean and Corn Bread Supper – Pioneer Land
7 pm: Demolition Derby – Grandstand $12; box seats $15
Monday, July 8
8 a.m.: Gates open
9 am-10 pm: Community and Ag/Hort buildings open
10 am-10 pm: 4-H Exhibit Buildings open
10 am: 4-H Chicken Flying Contest
11 am–10 pm: Commercial Buildings open
11 am–9 pm: Pioneer Land open
1-7 pm (all week): “Creatures from Vegetables” (open to public) building next to fair office
3-4 pm: Morgan and Brenden (acoustic music) – Pioneer Land (free)
5-5:45 pm: Diamond Martial Arts exhibition – Pioneer Land (free)
6-7 pm: Two-Man Group (acoustic music) Pioneer Land (free)
6–11 pm: Rides – pay one price – $20
7–8 pm: Goodtime Cloggers – Pioneer Land (free)
7 pm: Demolition Derby- Grandstand $12; Box Seat $15
8-10 pm: Cripple Creek band – Pioneer Land (free)
Tuesday, July 9
9 am-10 pm: Community and Ag/Hort Buildings open
10 am–10 pm: 4-H Exhibit Buildings open
11 am-9 pm: Pioneer Land open
11 am-10 pm: Commercial Buildings open
1:30-2:30 pm: Morgan and Brenden (acoustic music) — Pioneer Land (free)
3-6 pm: Big Jim Revival (classic rock) – Pioneer Land (free)
5-11 pm: Rides – pay one price – $20
7 pm: Figure 8 Derby – Grandstand-$12; box seats-$15
7-10 pm: Nutshell (Good Time Music) – Pioneer Land (free)
Wednesday, July 10
9 am-10 pm: Community and Ag/Hort buildings open
10 am-10 pm: 4-H Exhibit Buildings open
11 am-9 pm: Pioneer Land open
11 am-10 pm: Commercial Buildings open
Noon-6 pm: Rides – pay one price – $20
2:30-3 pm: Melissa Smoker (acoustic music) Pioneer Land (free)
3:30-4:30 pm: Rusty Nail band with Eric Ford – Pioneer Land (free)
5-5:45 pm: Diamond Martial Arts exhibition – Pioneer Land (free)
6 pm: 4-H Mini Pedal Pull
7-10 pm: Oscar and the Majestics (rock and blues) – Pioneer Land (free)
8 pm: Goat Agility Show
8 pm: An Evening with Willie Nelson and Family – premier seats $50, box seats $40, Grandstand/Wing (general seating) $30
Thursday, July 11
Family Day/Ronald McDonald Day
9 am–10 pm: Community and Ag/Hort buildings open
9 a.m.-noon: 4-H Rooster Crowing Contest – Poultry/Pigeon Bldg.
10 am–10 pm: 4-H Exhibit Buildings open
11 am-9 pm: Pioneer Land open
11 am-10 pm: Commercial Buildings open
Noon-6 pm: Rides – pay one price – $20
3-4 pm: Oh, Glory (alternative cover band) – Pioneer Land (free)
5–5:45 pm: Matt Kalita Magic Show – Pioneer Land (free)
5 pm: Bossy Bingo – Show Arena
6:30 pm: Supreme Champion Showman Contest – Livestock Show Arena
6:30-7:30 pm: Ronald McDonald and Friends – Pioneer Land (free) 7:30-10:30 pm: Ernie Givens and the White Lies Band (country) – Pioneer Land (free)
Time to be determined: Mikeschair with City Harbor concert – Grandstand – prices to be announced; check fair website
Friday, July 12
8:30 am until completed: 4-H Livestock Auction – Livestock Show Arena
9 am–10 pm: Community and Ag/Hort buildings open
10 am-10 pm: 4-H Exhibit Buildings open
11 am-10 pm: Commercial Buildings open
11 am-9 pm: Pioneer Land open
1-11 p.m.: Rides – pay one price – $25
2:30-4 pm: Washington Park Zoo Animal Encounter – Pioneer Land (free)
Following livestock auction: 4-H Battle of the Barns – Livestock Show Arena
4:30-6 pm: Nightshift Band (1950s-1980s) – Pioneer Land (free)
7-10 pm: Dr. Groovy & The Soul Surgeons (Good Time Rock ‘n Roll) – Pioneer Land (free)
Time to be announced: Mr. Speed – World’s Best KISS Tribute Band – Grandstand – prices to be announced; check fair website
Saturday, July 13
9 am-10 pm: Community and Ag/Hort buildings open
10 am-1 pm: Artisan Crafters and Quilt Auction – Pioneer Land
10 am-10 pm: 4-H Exhibit Buildings open
11 am-10 pm: Commercial Buildings open
11 am-9 pm: Pioneer Land open
Noon-10 pm: Rides – pay one price – $25
1-3 pm: Sparrow 5 (Christian folk rock) – Pioneer Land (free)
2 pm: Mini Equine Judging (Show Arena), with Pee Wee Miniature Equine show to follow
4–5:30 pm: Diamond Martial Arts exhibition – Pioneer Land (free) 7-10 pm: Big Dog Mercer (Chicago blues) – Pioneer Land (free)
Time to be announced: Kenny Bartram’s FMX Steel Rodeo Tour starring World Champion X Game Motocross Riders – Grandstand – prices to be announced (check fair website)