Iroquois County: County fair’s ‘Got Talent’

WATSEKA, Ill. — One of country music’s many roots is the singing cowboys from both history and early western films and the real deal hits the stage during the Iroquois County Agricultural and 4-H Club Fair.

Before hitting the country music charts, Jason Pritchett was a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-ranked bull rider in high school and rode PRCA ranked bulls for several years before pursing his music career.

Pritchett, who will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 17, at the fair, was a finalist on America’s Got Talent in 2007 and was the music director for country recording artist Billy Dean when he got the opportunity to play at the Grand Ole Opry. His career took off when his first single, “Good Show,” climbed the charts to No. 16 and his first four radio songs hit the top 40 charts in record time.

The fair opens on Tuesday, July 13, with a 4-H food sale beginning a 2 p.m., the traditional flag-raising and presentation of 4-H clubs at 7:45 p.m., and the 8 p.m. Fair Queen and Little Miss Pageant. Swyear Amusements Midway rides open at 6 p.m. July 13.

A detailed event schedule has not been finalized, but there are numerous activities already on the planned along with the daily carnival.

A talent show will be held on the stage at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 14.

The 4-H and junior horse and pony show is on tap for July 15 at 8 a.m., along with a 3 p.m. 4-H dog obedience show. The evening concludes with the demolition derby that begins at 7:30.

Draft horse shows with halter and hitch classes, master showman contest, a 4-H clothing review, livestock sale, 4-H and open style show and will provide a full day on Friday. The popular Kankakee County-based Latting Rodeo will entertain the crowd beginning at 7 p.m.

Horse enthusiasts will have more entertainment Saturday, July 17, when the Western Horse and Pony Show gaming classes lead off the day. There will also be the annual tractor ride, food auction, costume goat lead, dog agility judging and demonstration, the Pritchett concert and a teen dance.

Another big day is slated for Sunday. The Western Horse and Pony Show pleasure classes open the fair that day. An all faith church service begins at 9:30 p.m. at the 4-H Center.

Rounding out the July 18 activities are a tractor pull, Grill Master cook-off contest, quilt show, a costume sheep lead and master showman contest. The Illinois Tractor Pull Association tractor and truck pull is at 6 p.m.

Iroquois County Fair

July 13-18

1390 E 2000 N Road, Watseka, Illinois