'It's All Fun:' Cole County fair returns July 29

Stephanie Sidoti/News Tribune File Photo
A competitor in the Mid-Missouri Association of Tractor Pullers Antique Tractor Pull at the Cole County Fair pulls the weighted sled across the arena of the Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds as the sun sets on Thursday, August 2, 2018.
Stephanie Sidoti/News Tribune File Photo A competitor in the Mid-Missouri Association of Tractor Pullers Antique Tractor Pull at the Cole County Fair pulls the weighted sled across the arena of the Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds as the sun sets on Thursday, August 2, 2018.

The 69th Jefferson City Jaycees Cole County Fair will roll in later this month.

The fair will run July 29 through Aug. 3 at the Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds, 1445 Fairgrounds Road.

This year's theme is "It's All Fun!"

"We wanted to celebrate our 69-year anniversary and we just kind of like to have a theme that's fun because the fair is fun," fair administrative assistant Mike Freeman said.

The fair gates will open at 5 p.m. July 29 through Aug. 2 and at 11 a.m. Aug. 3.

This year, the fair will have a Saturday matinée Aug. 3, where attendees can ride for $1 each from 1-4 p.m.

"We have a mud run going on that (morning) and it's going to start earlier so we thought, 'Why not have the carnival rides up and running?'" Freeman said. "People may be able to come out and enjoy their rides who don't want to be out in a crowd (with people) drinking."

From 5-11:30 p.m. July 30 through Aug. 3, unlimited ride armbands will cost $20.

From 5-11:30 p.m. July 29, carnival rides will cost $1 each.

People can purchase tickets in advance through July 26 from Tolson Drug, 226 E. High St.; Gerbes Super Market, 2101 Schotthill Woods Drive; Schulte's Fresh Foods, 1904 Southwest Blvd.; and Hy-Vee, 3721 W. Truman Blvd.

Advanced tickets for July 30 through Aug. 1 cost $7. Advanced tickets for Aug. 2-3 cost $12.

People can purchase tickets at the fair for $1 for July 29, $10 for July 30 through Aug. 1 and $15 for Aug. 2-3.

Children 10 years old and younger get free admission with an adult-paid admission, except on July 29, according to the Jefferson City Jaycees Cole County Fair Facebook page.

All arena events and entertainment are free with paid admission.

Little Mr. and Miss Jefferson City Jaycees Cole County registration cost $5.

Teams that want to compete in the bocce ball tournaments Tuesday and Wednesday can call 573-619-2455 to register. Registration is a $50 non-refundable donation to the Special Learning Center.

Teams that want to compete in the washers tournaments Thursday and Friday can register at the event for $20 each.

Drivers competing in the Figure 8 Scramble event must register at least half an hour before the event starts at 7 p.m. Saturday.