photo by: Mike Yoder

Kids participate in a tug-of-war in front of a crowd of onlookers on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022, at the Vinland Fair.

The Vinland Fair is returning for three days this week, packed with homemade pies, tractor pulls, a farm-skills contest and other activities for kids.

The fair – with free admission – begins on Thursday, Aug. 7 and will last until Saturday, Aug. 9 at the former Vinland Elementary school site, 1736 North 700 Road in Baldwin City. To see the Vinland Fair’s full schedule and daily menu for this week, visit vinlandfair.com.

Here’s a look at some of the highlights for what’s happening each day of the fair:

Thursday, Aug. 7

The fair kicks off on Thursday at noon with a range of activities, one of those events includes the old-time farm skills competition at 2 p.m.

Two all-day events will be featured: the scarecrow building contest and the antique quilt and apron show. Steel posts will be provided for scarecrow displays, which must remain up for the duration of the fair.

Participants in the quilt and apron show must submit their homemade items between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday. Entry categories include appliquéd, cross-stitched or embroidered, patchwork, machine-quilted, miscellaneous quilted items, wall hangings, and quilts made by first-time quilters.

The poultry show will begin at 6:30 p.m., with categories including standard hen, standard pullet, bantam hen, bantam pullet, pigeon hen, waterfowl, standard cock, standard cockerel, bantam cock, bantam cockerel, pigeon cock, and other fowl. All entries must be in place by 6 p.m.

The rabbit show will follow, with judging starting at 7 p.m. Rabbit entries must be submitted by 6:30 p.m.

A talent show will be held at 6 p.m., and each performer is limited to 5 minutes. Entries must be submitted by 2 p.m.

The Baldwin High School band will perform next to the main stage at 7 p.m. The live music for the evening is the Alfred Packer Memorial String Band, which starts at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 8

Continuing on Friday, the fair offers many races – the bicycle races beginning at 10 a.m., running and bag races immediately following along with other field activities. The tractor pulls, including off-farm tractors and antique tractors – will also start at 4 p.m.

For more information on the age groups for the children competing in each event, visit the Vinland Fair website. Boys and girls compete together for each race and competition in the age 5 and under category, while other age groups compete separately.

There will also be live music starting at 7:30 p.m., featuring the BoDells.

Saturday, Aug. 9

The final day of the fair will have a pedal tractor pull at 2:30 p.m., lawn tractor pull at 5 p.m., livestock shows, an ice cream contest and more.

Children under 12 can enter the box turtle race, where turtles are placed in a circle on stage and the first to cross the line wins. The race begins at 11 a.m., with registration starting at 10 a.m.

The pet parade also starts at 11 a.m., and children under 12 can enter pets or toys by 10 a.m. Categories include most unusual pet, prettiest rabbit, cutest puppy, prettiest mature dog, prettiest kitten in a basket, prettiest mature cat, best decorated stuffed animal, decorated doll carriage or wagon, and more.

The homemade ice cream contest begins freezing at 5 p.m., and all entries must be submitted by then. Judging starts at 7 p.m., and the ice cream will be served at 7:30 p.m. for \$1 per two scoops. Contestants must bring a pre-made base, mix-ins or ingredients, and either a hand-crank or electric ice cream freezer. For official rules, visit the Vinland Fair website.

Live music will be Double Take, and it starts at 7:30 p.m.