Aug. 15-19—RUTLAND—The 172nd Vermont State Fair returns to Rutland Wednesday through Saturday, Aug. 15-19 with a shorter span, but plenty to see, eat, and do. Carnival entertainment will be happening every day, with ride wristbands available all day Wednesday and Thursday, and at noon on Saturday. The schedule of events is as follows:
The Woodbooger Demolition Derby will entertain crowds Tuesday, Aug. 15; Thursday, Aug. 17; and Saturday, Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Vermont truck and tractor pulls on the grandstand will take place Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. The Butterfly Encounter, new this year, will be at the fair, consisting of an interactive, walk-through exhibit where visitors learn about butterfly life cycles, learn to fix a broken wing, and “feed” and enjoy hundreds of live butterflies fluttering around them. Master magician Blaine Goad will perform his Hocus Pocus Magic Show at various times daily. Also featured will be a haunted house, Terry’s Animal Land petting zoo, Adirondack Traveling Aviary, KNB Woodcarving chainsaw carvings, the Nascar Experience (see what it’s like to drive bumper to bumper at 190 m.p.h.!), a Sap Bucket Challenge for kids, plus the Redneck Warrior obstacle course and the Vermont State Fair Ironwood Competition.
Music will take place daily on the Sugarhouse Stage. The Cracked Walnuts is a nutty washboard-banjo-penny whistle-frying pan duo specializing in old time music, that will be performing daily at various times. Totally Submerged will perform Tuesday, Aug. 15 with shows at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, Heart to Heart will take to the stage at 1 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Reflection performs the same day, same place, at 6:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Multi-genre band Distant Thunder performs Friday, Aug. 18 at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.Tim Brick performs soulful music that can get rowdy on Saturday, Aug. 19, 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Classic fair standards will be on hand, including the many agricultural exhibits and displays, the maple building, fair food, games and more.
Admission is as follows (kids age 5 and under are admitted free every day): Aug. 15, $5 day for all; Aug. 16-19, $10 adults (ages 13 and up), $5 for ages 6-12; Aug. 17, $5 admission for senior citizens and free with Green Mountain Passport; plus Veteran’s Appreciation Day, free admission to all veterans and active military. Parking on the grounds is free every day.
The fairgrounds are located at 175 South Main St., Rutland. For more information, visit vermontstatefair.org.
By Rik Champine
Agriculture is a bit part of the fair, and the racing pigs have been a favorite for years
