Five things you should know about the Rock County 4-H Fair
JANESVILLE—The 2015 Rock County 4-H Fair kicks off Tuesday.
From carnival rides to farm animals to music, there is a lot to keep attendees entertained. Here are five things you need to know before attending the Rock County 4-H Fair.
1. The cost. Daily admission for children 7 to 12 years old is $5. For ages 13 to adult, admission is $8 from Wednesday through Saturday and $5 on Tuesday and Sunday. Season passes are $12 for children ages 7 to 12 and $24 for ages 13 to adult. Seniors 62 and older get admission on Thursday for $4. Children 6 and younger are admitted free.
Carnival ride tickets are $1.25 each. You can also get four tickets for $5, 22 tickets for $25 and 55 tickets for $60. Wristbands that allow unlimited access to any ride are available for $27 on Wednesday and Thursday and for $25 on Sunday.
Tyler Farr, Cole Swindell with Clark Mason, Montgomery Gentry with The Mantz Brothers and the Rock County Bull Bash all require additional tickets. Tickets for these shows can be purchased at the Rock County 4-H Fair website.
2. Where to park. If you are planning to drive to the fair, you may have to do a bit of extra walking. While there is street parking available near the fairgrounds, it may be difficult to get a nearby spot.
“Street parking usually fills up for five to six blocks around the fair,” said Rock County 4-H Fair Board President John Quinn.
First Lutheran Church, 612 N. Randall Ave., sells daily and weekly parking passes for the fair. Passes are $55 for the season. Daily passes can be purchased for either $5 or $7.
Some residents who live near the fairgrounds rent out their driveways and lawns for drivers to park, Quinn said.
3. What to eat. There will be the usual pizza and fried cheese curds at the fair, along with gyros, Chinese food, funnel cakes, Mexican food, pork chop sandwiches and more.
However, this year's fair is also adding a healthier alternative: veggie juice drink, Quinn said.
Attendees enjoy the variety of food at the fair and generally find something to chow down on, Quinn said.
4. Entertainment. If you don't feel like paying extra for some of the main stage acts, there are still plenty of opportunities for fun, free entertainment.
From music to farm animals, there is a lot to see. The Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team, who were semifinalists on the eighth season of America's Got Talent, will be performing Wednesday through Saturday.
Comedians Pete Lee and Andi Smith will be performing Tuesday evening on the main stage. Lee and Smith are graduates of Janesville high schools and advanced to the semifinals of NBC's Last Comic Standing in 2008.
The 4-H also puts on a “Minute to Win It” event Wednesday through Saturday at the fair, based off the popular game show.
5. 4-H. 4-H is a nationwide program that supports youth development and mentoring. In Rock County, members ages 5 to 21 participate in 4-H programs such as community and after-school 4-H clubs, volunteer and leadership development and summer camp.
“We are dedicated to helping the kids, helping them mature and grow,” Quinn said.
4-H members learn and develop life skills by completing projects showcased at the fair. Examples include photography, rocketry, bicycle, horticulture and animal projects.
People should attend the fair to support the youth of Rock County, Quinn said.
“We are doing this for the kids,” Quinn said. “It is nice to walk around and look at their projects.”