New building to be showcased at 2014 fair

 RED OAK – While it technically started Wednesday, July 9 with a table setting contest, the 2014 Montgomery County Fair will host its opening ceremonies Tuesday night. 

A new fair queen will be crowned Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., followed by a religious rally featuring singer Jill Miller. 

This year’s fair features many of the staples that has made it a summer institution, including the dog (8 a.m.) and poultry shows (1 p.m.) Wednesday, rabbit (8 a.m.) and sheep (2 p.m.) shows Thursday, and the swine and beef shows at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday, respectively. 

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything new at this year’s fair. 

In fact, there’s something very new and kind of hard to miss. 

Fair board officials and construction crews have been scrambling to finish the new livestock pavilion. Immediately after the 2013 version of the county fair ended, the swine, poultry and rabbit buildings were demolished to make room for the new 80x180 pavilion, which features a show arena and room to house all the animals. Construction on the new building began in the spring and with the final touches finished last week, the pavilion promises to be a highlight of this year’s fair. 

With total costs estimated at about $450,000 the fair board has, in just a little more than a year, raised more than $300,000 of that cost. As a way to say thanks to the community for their support in this project, the fair board decided not to charge an admission fee to the always popular bull riding competition Friday night. 

Following the bull rides, Iowa band Stampede will perform for the crowd.

Saturday night’s entertainment will once again feature the crown jewel of the fair, the demolition derby. 

Both the bull riding competition and the demolition derby start at 7:30 p.m. and a beer garden will once again be available in the grandstand area. 

For a complete schedule on all the fair activities, please refer to the special section included in this week’s Red Oak Express.