Country music singer/songwriter Jerrod Niemann is the musical headliner for the 2021 Jefferson County Fair, set for Thursday through Sunday, July 22-July 25, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 10349 Business 21, in Hillsboro. There will be lots of other music as well, along with carnival rides, food and fun for the whole family.
The Budweiser Clydesdales, a variety of motor sports and a cattle show and auction will be featured, as well as crafts, food and exhibits.
Fair chairman Chris Thebeau said this year’s fair is about returning to the status quo and getting things running normally.
Hours for the fair are:
■ Thursday: 5-11 p.m.
■ Friday: 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
■ Saturday: 4 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
■ Sunday: 3-9 p.m.
A daily pass costs $10 per person and includes access to all events in the arena, main stage, pavilions and civic club building, as well as all vendor booths, concession areas and Tyke Town for children. Children 6 and younger and those with a current valid military ID may attend for free.
A special, four-admission pass costs $30 and can be used for four people for one day, two people for two days or one person for four days. Buy online at
jeffersoncountyfair.net or at participating locations before noon July 21.
Parking is free; shuttle service will be available Friday and Saturday evenings. No coolers or outside food are allowed. For more information, see the fair website at jeffersoncountyfair.net.
Carnival rides
Wade Shows will once again provide a variety of midway rides and activities. Single-day, unlimited-ride armbands are available for $20 in advance at
innovativeticketing.com; scroll down to click on Jefferson County Fair. Deadline to purchase is 5 p.m. on July 22; after that, armbands will be $25. Armbands are not recommended for those under 36” tall.
Exhibits
The deadline is Thursday, July 22, for submitting entries for the Jefferson County Show-Me Your Best Open Exhibits and Online Showcase and 4-H Fair. Submissions from all ages from across our county will be accepted in a wide variety of categories, including baking, photography, arts, crafts, clothing and other textiles, flowers, and houseplants. Exhibits are displayed in the Hillsboro Community Civic Club building during the four days of the fair.
Drop-off is from 3-7 p.m. Monday, July 19 and again from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 21. Exhibitors are asked to observe social distancing during drop-off.
Volunteer judges will evaluate each entry based on whether it meets or exceeds an established standard, instead of ranking against other entries. Ribbons will be awarded to all entries.
Some exhibits may be photographed and displayed on local media and social media. Exhibits will remain on display throughout the fair and can be picked up on Monday, July 26, from 9-11 a.m. or 4-6 pm.
For a complete list of categories, exhibition guidelines and to obtain entry forms, visitextension.missouri.edu/Jefferson or call the MU Extension office at 636-797-5391.
Competition guidelines and entry forms may also be picked up at the Extension Office at 301 Third St. in Hillsboro during regular business hours.
Clydesdales
A full eight-horse hitch of the renowned Clydesdale horses will be on display throughout the fair.
“They will be housed in the agricultural barn, and will be on display during the fair hours,” fair chairman Chris Thebeau said. “Because of COVID restrictions, people can’t get close enough to pet them, but you can get a picture with them.”
Thebeau said the horses will be hitched up and take a few laps around the STL Arena to kick off each day’s schedule of activities.
“They’re really something to watch,” he said.
Motocross
The Jeffco MX Classic motocross competition, sponsored by Surdyke Motorsports in Festus, will take place July 22.
Gates open at 3 p.m. and practice runs begin at 6 p.m. Racing will get underway at 7 p.m.
For more information or a list of classes, call Surdyke Motorsports at 636-931-9166 or visit the Surdyke Motorsports Facebook page.
ATV racing
On July 23, four-wheelers take the spotlight in the STL Diesel Arena. Pits open at 5 p.m., hot laps begin at 6 p.m. and races start at 7 p.m. Each racer will go head-to-head through an obstacle course that will include a fly-away jump, big mounds, a wall climb and mud pits. Entry fee is $30 per vehicle.
Tyke Town
Tyke Town will feature suitable activities for small children 30” and under (they must be accompanied by an adult). Animals R Us will provide animals for a petting zoo and pony rides,