Lake County Fair, now in its 101st year, opens Thursday

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People walk through the midway at the Lake County Fair on Thursday. [Cindy Peterson/Correspondent]

EUSTIS — The Lake County Fair is back.

The 101st event, chock full of rides, entertainment, livestock shows and more, starts Thursday and runs through April 16 at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 2101 County Road 452, in Eustis.

But this year’s preparation hasn’t happened without some major hiccups. Let’s just say, when it rains, it pours.

“As of Friday, the back part of the fairgrounds, where we put the big rides, was underwater,” Fair Manager Stacey Wade said. “The trucks started pulling in and one after one they got stuck. We still have three of them back there we can’t get out. It was a mess.”

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With less than a week until opening, Wade got to work re-designing the fair layout in the useable space and Lake County Commissioners Kirby Smith and Sean Parks and State Representative Kieth Truenow, R-Tavares, brought in 20 dump trucks full of milling to spread over the mud.

The back part of the Lake County Fairgrounds was flooded and three large trucks carrying rides got stuck.

“Everyone handled the situation as best as possible and we are so thankful for the help from the county,” Wade said. “It’s been a challenge but these guys stepped up to the plate to help. The mess slowed us down a bit but we are moving forward.”

But things are back on track and ready for opening day at 5 p.m. Thursday. 

Mayor Ferris Wheeler returns and will once again appoint a junior mayor of the day at the day’s opening ceremony, which happens 10 minutes before gates open, so be sure to arrive early. The child chosen will receive their own junior mayor ribbon, top hat and free admission for their entire family. 

Mayor Ferris Wheeler chooses a boy to become Jr. Mayor for the night at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Lake County Fair. [Cindy Peterson/Correspondent]

“He’s back,” Wade said. “He was internationally recognized and won an award for his part of our fair last year and the community just loves him. We’ve got people coming all the way from the mid-west coming to see him this year.”

Entertainment is one of the largest highlights of the fair. The Sweeney Boys stole the hearts of fair-goers last year and are back this year with their lovable, backwoods country band in an all new nightly show. 

Jaybyrd (Ken Thiboult) performs with “Them Sweeney Boys” at the Lake County Fair. [Cindy Peterson/Correspondent]

Robinson’s Racing Pigs, another fan favorite, will be returning along with Fritzy Brothers One Man Circus, The Humdingers, The Amazing Bubble Factory and Our Rural Heritage Ag Exhibit. 

New for 2022 includes Space Adventures Thrill Show, a show designed to thrill audiences with groundbreaking acts, Deep Fryd Funk, a high energy rhythmic trio using kitchen utensils, Guitar Dean, a sing along act, and Kardenni, an award-winning magician with a performance to remember. 

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