PRAIRIE HOME, Mo. -- Not only special events, but extra days, have been added to the Prairie Home Fair's 100th showing, which will be held Wednesday through Sunday, July 8-12.
The traditional Saturday evening horse show has been suspended this year to make room for an evening of local musical entertainment, special contests and a 20-minute fireworks display, chairperson Patty Dick said.
Music Thru the Decades at 7:15 p.m. Saturday will feature about 20 local people ranging in age from elementary students to septuagenarians and genres span World War II-era favorites to modern hits.
"This will be pretty exciting; they're tremendously talented," Dick said.
The Rohrbach family will provide a 15-minute performance, opening for Bourbon Creek.
Between sets, a 20-minute fireworks display will begin at dusk.
Several individuals and local businesses have made generous donations to provide the additional anniversary events, Dick said. The 5K fundraiser last year drew 55 runners and walkers. More than 70 already are signed up for the second annual 5K at 7:30 a.m. Friday.
An additional night of bingo has been added 6-10 p.m. Thursday, in addition to the typical Friday and Saturday games.
The fair activities will continue into Sunday with a community church service at 11 a.m. at the fairgrounds. In case of inclement weather, services will be moved to the Methodist Church, where a carry-in meal will follow the service.
Other traditional fair activites include the baby contest, pet parade and doll buggy parade.
The Prairie Home Fair serves as a reunion for school alumni and extended family, Dick said. This anniversary year, the committee anticipates a larger turnout than most years.
"We're trying to make it a super-fun time for everybody," she said.