County fair promises Manatee magic

MANATEE COUNTY — Lakewood Ranch High School sophomore Sierra Langston grabs a halter and rope and eases it over the head of Blue, a Shorthorn cross, before heading to a set of stalls nearby.

Colby, the cow’s nearly one-month-old calf, tags along as they walk, as do a handful of other heifers and goats, eager for their evening meal.

The cow and its calf represent a slew of firsts for Langston, who turns 16 on Jan. 28. Having worked with Blue since the beginning of the school year, Langston will make her first appearance in the Manatee County Fair, showing the team in the cow/calf division of the Beef Breeding and Showmanship Show next week.

“I can’t wait,” Langston said of the fair. “I’m so excited. Just being there with other schools (is fun), and I love animals.”

The Manatee County Fair, this year themed “Capture the Magic,” will swing into action at 5 p.m. tonight. The fair will run from Jan. 13-23 and feature performances by famed country musicians Darryl Worley and The Band Perry, and Bluegrass legend Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, among others.

Additional festivities include strolling acts such as Ed & Geraldine Old-Time Music and magician Steve the Pretty Good, a petting zoo, a barbecue contest, exhibits, demonstrations and competitions, puppet and animal shows, pig races, a kids pedal tractor pull and a smorgasbord of traditional fair cuisine, among other activities. This year’s event even includes the fair’s first ever drum line competition on Jan. 18.

“We’ve got a filled itinerary for everyone,” Fair Manager Dan West said. “It’s a great value, and we’re going to have some fun.”

Entry to the fair is free for children 5 years old and under and costs $5 for children ages 6 to 12; $6 for individuals 55 years old and up; and $7 for individuals 13 years old and up.

“Every bit of it is free with their admission,” West said.

Guests can purchase armbands for rides on the midway at an additional cost of $18-20. Cost varies by day.
Parking is available at Palmetto High School or Church on the Rock in Palmetto for $5.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

FAIR INFO
WHEN: Jan. 13-23
WHERE: Manatee County Fair, 1402 14th Ave. W., Palmetto
TICKETS: On opening night: $4 for ages 13 and up; $2 for children 6-12; and free from children 5 and under; Armband special for the Midway from 5-10 p.m., is $18. Regular admission costs are free for children 5 and under; $5 for children ages 6 to 12; $6 for individuals 55 years old and up; and $7 for individuals 13 years old and up. Arm bands for the midway cost $18-20, varying by day. Admission is free for children and students with identification between noon and 3 p.m. on Jan. 17 and Jan. 21. Mega-passes are being sold at Manatee County Walgreen store locations through Jan. 14. A $20 mega-pass includes admission to any one-day entry to the fair and an arm band for the midway.

SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS
Jan. 13 — Swine show, 6 p.m.
Jan. 14 — Dairy Showmanship, 6 p.m.; Dairy Show, 7 p.m.; music by Darryl Worley, 8 p.m.
Jan. 15 — Barbecue contest opens, noon; Swine sale, 2 p.m.; Manatee Players, 3 p.m.; Barbecue judging, 4 p.m.; music by Jaron and the Long Road to Love, 8 p.m.
Jan. 16 — Dog show, 1 p.m.; Floral arranging demonstration, 1 p.m.; Ricky Brady, 6 p.m.; music by Mike’s Chair, 7 p.m.
Jan. 17 — Bright House Children’s Day: all children and students get in free between noon and 3 p.m. with an I.D. Festivities include music by Yesterdayze, 2:30 p.m.; pre-show to cheerleading competition, 5 p.m.; 15th Annual Cheerleading Competition, 6 p.m.
Jan. 18 — Drum Line Competition, 6 p.m.; goat show, 7 p.m.; music by Yesterdayze, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 19 — Senior Day: Admission for senior citizens is $5. Day’s festivities include: The Everett Longstreth Band performs a “Tribute to Benny Goodman and Peggy Lee,” 1 p.m.; Yesterdayze, 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Steer showmanship, 6 p.m.
Jan. 20 — Steer show, 6 p.m.; Gulf Coast Cloggers, 6:30 p.m.; The Band Perry, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 21 — Autoway Kids Day: all children and students get in free between noon and 3 p.m. with an I.D. Day’s festivities including: Beef breeding and showmanship shows, 6 p.m.; Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver along with J.D. Crow & Paul Williams Old Friends Tour, 8 p.m.
Jan. 22 — Roger and the Bluegrass Boys, 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.; Steer sale, 2 p.m.; 4-H and FFA awards presentation, 7 p.m.; T.J. Sheppard, 8 p.m.
Jan. 23 — Horse show, noon; Manatee River Bluegrass Band, 3 p.m. & 5 p.m.

* For a complete schedule of events, costs and fair and midway hours, visit www.manateecountyfair.com.