Kent County Youth Fair Returns with Full Week of Fun

After a quiet fair last year, the Kent County Youth Fair board of directors is looking forward to offering the community a full fair experience in 2021.

“When we were given the green flag, we never looked back,” board member Bruce Doll says. The fair will not only welcome back carnival rides and a live auction for the public, but it is adding numerous entertainment options.

The fair kicks off on Monday, August 9, and ends with a concert by The Kari Lynch Band at 4pm on Saturday, August 14. Plus, there are themes and special events planned every day of the week with all activities taking place at the fairgrounds, located in the City of Lowell’s Recreation Park.

Entrance to the fair is free although there is a cost for parking, carnival rides and some activities.

Full Fair Experience for 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic meant last year’s fair looked markedly different. “We were very limited in what we could do,” Doll explains.

Social distancing requirements meant only exhibitors and their families could be on the premises. Rather than keeping their animals at the fairgrounds all week, area kids brought livestock to show and then returned home with them. Participants were also limited in the number of animals they could show, and the auctions went online to allow the public to bid from home.

“We were disappointed, [but] the kids were happy we did it,” Doll explains. The board of directors knew the fair set up last year was imperfect, but at least it offered exhibitors an opportunity to show and sell their animals and projects.

Now that all restrictions have been lifted, the fair is gearing up for a week that will bring back its full line-up of events, including old favorites and some new additions. Some 700 kids are expected to participate, and they will be showing more than 800 animals and 4,600 still exhibits, according to Doll.

What’s New at the Kent County Youth Fair for 2021

There’s a good possibility that this year will be the last fair held in the City of Lowell, Doll says. The Kent County Youth Fair as been planning for years to move to a larger site off Cascade Road in Lowell Charter Township. To end it’s run in the city, the fair is planning a year to remember.

“It’s the full fair and more,” Doll says. “We’ve gone all out this year.”

That includes bringing in a new entertainment company, All-Star Barnyard Review, that will be providing hourly shows from 12pm to 8pm each day. Those events will include pig racing, a wild west show and clown capers.

Meanwhile, the community tent stage will be elevated and provide additional live entertainment options that can be seen and heard by those sitting in the picnic area. Scheduled performers include DeeJay the Clown and The Moxie Strings.

Other events include an antique tractor pull on Monday and a draft horse pull on Tuesday, which is an event being brought back after being on hiatus for a few years.

In addition to the new activities, there will be old favorites as well. For instance, Handicaple Day is returning on Friday, August 13. Visitors with special needs are invited to come enjoy a day at the fair with a free lunch followed by free rides from 12pm-1pm. Ride operators slow down the rides, when possible, and lower the music volume during this time to make the rides more accessible, Doll notes.

Families can register for Handicaple Day online.

Schedule of Events for 2021 Kent County Youth Fair

Visit the Kent County Youth Fair website for all the details, but here are the highlights of the 2021 fair.

Monday: Heroes Day – Active military, veterans, police, fire and EMTs can show their ID at the gate for free parking. Special events include a boating safety class offered by the Kent County Sherriff’s Department during the day and an antique tractor pull in the evening.

Tuesday: Ag Adventure Day – Stop by the hands-on agricultural learning barn, play gellyball at noon and see the draft horse pull in the evening. The Kent County Sherriff’s Department will also hold an ORV safety class during the day.

Wednesday: Reading for Rides Day – Kids age 12 and younger can turn in a reading log and enjoy carnival rides for free for four hours. Logs must be downloaded from the Kent County Youth Fair website before Tuesday evening. DeeJay the Clown and The Moxie Strings also perform on Wednesday, and this is the day for the small animal and still exhibit auctions.

Thursday: Auction Day – The main event for this day is the livestock auction which is when a year’s worth of work from area kids pays off. Auctions begin at 9am and go all day long.

Friday: Handicaple Day – Visitors will special needs are invited to enjoy a free lunch and ride carnival rides for free without having to fight the crowds. In the evening, everyone can join in a family line dance in the Reath Barn.

Saturday: Kid’s Day – It’s the final day of the fair and the last chance for kids to take a tun on the carnival rides. Plus, there will be a Princess Tea, Cheater B’s Band in the Park and an ice cream social. The Kari Lynch Band takes the stage at 4pm to wrap up the festivities.

For all the latest news as the week progresses, follow the Kent County Youth Fair on Facebook.

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