Lake Odessa Fair Begins June 26th

The Lake Odessa Fair is only days away away. The schedule is packed something for everyone. The fair does not officially begin until Wednesday June 26 but a pre-fair mud run will happen on Sunday June 23. The mud run is an event for all ages, designed to be as challanging for adults as a Tough Mudder the course is adjusted to also provide fun and entertainment for kids as young as three. The event happens in the grandstand so even if you are not interested in running it is a great event for spectators as well.

The fair’s official start will takes place Wednesday with the midway opening at 5pm and the Grand Parade happening at 6pm. A real carnival returns to the fair in 2019 after a very successful 2018 fair. Thanks is large part to donations from businesses, farms and indvividuals the “Carnival for Kids” will once again be affordable for as many people as possible. Wednesday all-day ride wristbands are just $10. After the parade, their will be a Magic show on the Grandstand featuring “The Magic of Johnathan LaChance.” This is a great family event; the whole family can attend for just $15. Any youth participating in any other fair event can receive a free ticket into the magic show. At the beer barn, there will be live music Wednesday night featuring “Just Cuz.”

Fun at the fair continues Thursday. The youth dairy show will start the day at 9am. The midway opens at 4pm and than dodgeball registration at 5pm. All day wristbands for ride will be available for $16, but the first 150 riders can pick up an $8 off coupon at the fair office at 5pm to take the ride cost to just $8. The community favorite event, dodgeball, will begin at 6pm at the sand courts. There are divisions for all ages from pee wee (ages 8 and under) to adults. This is another great event for players and spectators. If you like something a little slower pace, than don’t miss the draft horse pulls happening at 7pm on the Grandstand. These majestic horses are amazing showing off their pure strength and endurance. The beer barn will featuring live music from Scott Martin.

The schedule really starts to pick up on Friday with the livestock and horse shows kicking off at 9am. A youth volleyball tournament is set for 3pm for ages 13-17. Bingo returns to the Lake Odessa Fair for the first time in many years at 3pm in the beer barn. Bingo cards will be just 25 cents a piece. The midway will open again at 4pm with all day wristbands for $16 but again 150 $8 off coupons will be available starting at 4pm at the fair office, first come first serve. A brand new event at the fair, an Escape Room, makes its debut at 5:30pm. Teams must register in advance to “solve the mystery” at our old country saloon. The beer barn will have a “Trivia Night” at 6pm and than live music from Sandra Effert at 8pm. SJO Motocross event will happen on the Grandstands at 7pm.

Another busy day is set for Saturday. A rabbit show in the Fred Morris building will happen at 8am. The midway opens at noon, and again all day wristbands will be just $16, but $8 off coupons will be available to the first 150 riders at noon at the fair office. The annual LOFD pork roast will also happen at noon while supplies last. The beer barn and the music festival open at noon too. Free live music will be happening all afternoon at the music festival featuring everything from rock and blues to country and pop alternative. At 1pm there will be a “rock painting contest” followed by childrens games at 3pm put on by FFA Alumni. The Escape Room will be running again from 2pm-6pm. The adult volleyball tournament will happen at 3pm. The “Comedy for a Cause” event will featuring comedians Steve Iott and Will Green. This event is a great night and a great way to raise a little money for organizations in the Lake Odessa community. After the comedy show, plan to head to the beer bbar and catch great cover music from one of west Michigan’s premier bands, Drop 35. There will be a $5 cover charge for the beer barn but a ticket from the comedy show will get you in free.

The fairs final day will be a busy Sunday. Another adult volleyball tournament will take place at 9am. The midway will open at noon and will be the last day for $16 all day wristbands and $8 off coupons to the first 150 riders at the fair office. The fair has partnered with the Michigan Cornhole Association to bring a competitive and social division professionally run tournament to the fair. Sign-in begins at noon with bags flying at 12:30pm. A Princess Tea Party has been organized for Sunday afternoon in the Fred Morris building at 1pm. The beer barn will feature live music from TLG at 2pm, and another day of bingo fun at 3pm. The fair will end with the grand finale “Night of Destruction” derby put on by Unique Motorsports at 6pm.

The fireworks show will cap off the fair, weather permitting, following the derby.