EMBARRASS- The various competitions surrounding the annual Embarrass Region Fair got underway early again this year, with the team penning contest held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this past weekend.
It’s become the unofficial kickoff to the fair, which officially gets underway this Friday, with gates open at 2 p.m. Admission is $5 per person, or $12 for a weekend pass good from Friday through Sunday. Children 10 and under are free with a paid adult.
On Friday, there will be crafters and vendors inside and outside of Timber Hall. Wizard’s Kingdom Inflatables and pony rides are available from 4 p.m. – dusk. Live music with Big T and the Growlers, and Swamp Donkey is scheduled from 5 – 10 p.m.
A new event this year is the “Little Miss” Queen Coronation on Friday at 4:30 p.m. Eight area girls, ages eight to 13 have been selling fundraising raffle tickets that help fund fair activities.
Saturday events
Gates reopen at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
Special Saturday events include the Flying Finn 5K Run/Walk, which gets underway at 9:30 a.m. Register on race day at 8:30 a.m. and cost is $25.
Races for all ages are at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The cornhole tournament starts at 11 a.m. Tricia and the Toonies, a family fun show, is on tap at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Amazing Charles Magic Show will be held at noon and 3 p.m. There will be magic, comedy, and balloon animals. There is live music hosted by Saturday Night Country…Live from 4 – 10 p.m.
The Tony Morsching Memorial Mud Run starts at 12:30 p.m. There is a separate admission for this event.
Sunday events
Gates reopen at 7 a.m. on Sunday.
The Embarrass Fair Horse Show starts at 9 a.m. The Classic Car and Truck show runs from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., with awards at 2 p.m. The demolition derby begins at 12:30 p.m. and there is a separate admission fee for this event.
The Amazing Charles Magic Show will again be performed at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. The karaoke contest begins at noon. The dog show gets underway at 1 p.m. (see website for entry info).
The fair ends with a parade at 4 p.m. and the fairgrounds close at 6 p.m.
Activities both days
The softball tournament, Wizards Kingdom Inflatables, pony rides, animal barn and exhibit entries are available both Saturday and Sunday and breakfast is served in Timber Hall both days as well. Food vendors will be outdoors during fair hours Friday through Sunday.
This year, the animal barn will feature farm animals from a single farm, and no judging will take place.
The Timber Hall kitchen will be serving breakfast each morning and walking tacos for lunch.
Bingo runs from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, and on Sunday from noon– 4 p.m. Bring your quarters.
Odds and ends
The Timber Hall and Fairgrounds are located at 4855 Hwy. 21, in Embarrass. Four-wheelers are welcome on the grounds, but dirt bikes are prohibited. There is no charge for parking on the fairgrounds and all handicap-accessible spots are best accessed through the north gate.
For more information on all the fair events, visit the website at https://www.embarrassrfa.org/fair.
Team penning and ranch sorting winners
It was another nice crowd of want-to-be cowpokes working to coral some rather uncooperative calves in this year’s team penning competition. Riders worked in groups of three, and many riders were members of multiple teams. Prize money was funded by the $15 per rider per time entry fee.
Friday team penning results:
First: Sami Ricci, Red Barn Connolly, June Burrows: $529
Second: Mark Pugh, Ricky Flicek, June Burrows: $463
Third: Morgan Pugsley, Tracy Marshall, June Burrows: $331
Saturday team penning results:
First: Sami Ricci, Tracy Marshall, June Burrows: $637
Second: Tracy Marshall Burrows, Tina Stay: $558
Third: Tyme Woitalla, Maija Peterson, Pam Frazee: $398
The fastest team between Fridays and Saturdays runs received $300 prize sponsored by North Shore Mining: Sami Ricci, Tracy Marshall, June Burrows
Sunday ranch sorting results:
Entry fee for ranch sorting was $25 per rider for two runs.
First: Jeff Thurlow, Clint Egger: $1,008
Second: Clint Egger, Bridger Shultz: $882
Third: Danny Anderson, Wyatt Shultz: $630