INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Today marks the kick-off of the 10-day Firefighters’ Fair at the Indian River County Fairgrounds. According to the fair’s General Manager, Toby Turner, this year’s fair has all of the telltale signs to be a smashing success.
According to Turner, the turnout of a fair can be a reflection on the economy. But this year, fairs across the nation and in Florida are on the rise.
“As long as the weather holds, we hope that the economy is doing well for people to come out,” Turner said. He added he expects over 50,000 attendees over the course of the 10 days.
“After we pay our bills, all of the money we make goes back into the community,” Turner said.
The events and attractions schedule is packed with all of the favorites from past Firefighters’ Fairs, including over 35 mechanical rides, daily 4-H events, live music performances, and the firefighters training show.
“Over 80 families in 4-H will be participating this year showing swine, steers, citrus trees, rabbits, goats and a lot more,” Turner said.
Magician Steven Marcus will take the stage daily and Comedy hypnotist Jon Simon is scheduled to perform on six of the 10 days.
Local favorite Dirty Dingus Magee will be found stirring up a ruckus across the fairgrounds all week, while locally-known bagpipe player Michael Hyde will be heard strolling the grounds playing his Great Highland Bagpipe every day.
Additional attractions including the Demolition Derby, a whip cracking contest, performances by the Aerial Antics Circus and the Hitchiti Indian Dancers, and the Truck Tug-of-War are sprinkled throughout the week as well.
The Lumber Jills, a brand new addition to this year’s fair, is an all female group who will compete multiple times daily in modern versions of classic logging sports. Their events include crosscut sawing, underhand chopping, axe throwing, power hot sawing, and log rolling.
Plenty of events for fair goers to participate in, including Karaoke, cornhole, and hot wing eating contests will take place on various days of the week.
Overall, the week is focused on pure family fun and entertainment, and will be completely alcohol free, an aspect the firefighters are proud to have kept in tact, Turner said.
Turner has spearheaded the event for 19 years, has been actively involved with the fair since it’s inception, and sat on the original planning committee for the launch of the Firefighters’ Fair back in 1980.
Turner said he has enjoyed his stint as general manager but will be happy to turn the title over to current concession director Wayne Howard at the conclusion of this year’s fair.
Fair gates open at 5 p.m. on weekdays and 1 p.m. on weekends, closing as warranted daily. The Main Exhibit building closes at 10 p.m., daily.
Admission prices are $6 for adults and $4 for children 6-12 and seniors 55 and older. Various wristband offers are available daily.
Visit www.firefightersfair.org for more information, follow along at VeroNews.com/extras/fairs_festivals/firefighters_fair/ for full coverage. On social media, keep up with #VNfair.