April 19, 2024
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Sandwich Fair set to return; tickets on sale now

Harness racing, demolition derby and other favorite events will be back at the fairgrounds after a year off due to pandemic

By Shea Lazansky

FILE PHOTO: Jacob Stark shaves down Rodeo before entering in competition at the Sandwich Fair (Shea Lazansky)

Tickets are on sale for the 2021 Sandwich Fair, returning after taking a year off because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Running this year from Wednesday to Sunday, Sept. 8 to 12, the fair will be open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Popular events are returning to the fair this year, including harness racing, the lumberjack shows, truck and tractor pulls, 4-H competitions and a carnival.

Wednesday, Sept. 8, kicks off with the opening ceremony at 9 a.m. featuring the Sandwich High School Band, and the Western Show at the Horse Arena. Harness racing returns to the track starting at 11 a.m. Sept. 8.

FILE PHOTO: The Sandwich High School Marching Band, above, will help open the Sandwich Fair Sept. 8. (Shea Lazansky)

While events are happening across the grounds, musical entertainment can be found throughout the fair. Max Armstrong starts off the sounds at 11 a.m. Sept. 8 at the Ag Land stage with Back Pages, followed by Outpatience from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Home Arts venue, and The Relics from 7 to 9 p.m. on the Ag Land stage.

Thursday Sept. 9, starts bright and early with open show livestock judging and culinary competitions throughout the day, closing out with the NTPA Truck Pulls at 6:30 p.m.

The highlight of Friday, Sept. 10, starts at 8 p.m. on the Main Stage, where country singer Chris Janson will perform. Janson, according to the Sandwich Fair website, is “a platinum-selling recording artist, high-octane entertainer, multi-instrumentalist, and award-winning singer/songwriter.”

Tractor pulls return Saturday, Sept. 11, with shows at 12:30 and 6:30 p.m. The Sandwich Fair also will reflect on the 20 years that have passed since the 9/11 terrorist attacks with a remembrance ceremony at 10 a.m.

The final day of the 2021 Sandwich Fair begins at 8:30 a.m. with a worship service at the Home Arts stage, and the Sandwich Auto Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the track infield. The demolition derby helps close out the day, with showings at 1 and 3:30 p.m. on the track.

Tickets for Sandwich Fair events can be purchased on the fair website. As in past years, the fair is offering promotional days. On Wednesday, Sept. 8, children 12 and younger are admitted free. On Sept. 9, fair attendees 65 and older can enter for $7 before 5 p.m. On Friday, Sept. 10, children 12 and younger are admitted free until 5 p.m., while all attendees 13 and older can enter for $7 before 5 p.m. On the last day of the fair, all attendees can enter for $7 after 3 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for children between ages 6 and 12, free for children ages 5 and younger, and available at the entrance gate after parking. Parking at the fair is included in the cost of admission.

Season tickets can be bought in advance or at the gate at $25 for adults and $10 for children between the ages of 6 and 12. Buying and picking up tickets can be done from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., September 6 and 7 at the fair’s main office.