photo by: Mike Yoder, Journal-World file photo

Contestants in a past Vinland Fair pet parade show off their dogs during the cutest puppy event. The pet parade has been a part of the fair for more than 50 years and one of the traditional homespun activities at the annual event that returns Thursday, Friday and Saturday to Vinland.

The organizers of the Vinland Fair believe people can entertain themselves without the help of a carnival.

“Instead of a carnival, we have sack races, a tug of war, a children’s pet parade and the tractor pull,” said Tamara Hagerman, Vinland Fair Board member with her husband, Rex. “It is old-time family entertainment.”

The 111th annual Vinland Fair will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the hamlet of Vinland. The fairgrounds are just east of the intersection of Douglas County Routes 1055 and 460, about 9 miles south of Lawrence.

A tractor pull has replaced the draft horse contest that was part of the 1907 Vinland Fair, but those attending the annual event will find that much hasn’t changed since the early 20th century. All the events, including the popular tractor pull, are free, Hagerman said. Not only is there no carnival, but commercial vendors are also absent from the three-day event.

The fair has been around long enough to develop its share of traditions, Hagerman said. Those include the homemade pie served at the fair’s concession stand, the chicken noodle dinners prepared though a community effort and available on Friday, and the Thursday evening talent show at which Vinland Valley residents can share their varied entertainment skills.

The tractor pull, which used to be held on Saturday evenings, has been moved to 1 p.m. Saturday, Hagerman said, which will allow the popular event to conclude at a reasonable time.

Last week as they wrapped up the family’s week at the Douglas County Fair, Vinland Valley couple David and Stephanie Norris reflected on the differences between the two fairs.

“The Vinland Fair is much more laid back,” Stephanie Norris said. “The focus is on letting the kids get involved in games.”

It’s also an annual reunion for the Vinland Valley community, as grown family members return home for the annual event, David Norris said.

“I’d venture to say it attracts people for a larger distance than the Douglas County Fair because of all the family members coming back,” he said.

Vinland Fair schedule

Thursday:

• All day — Build a scarecrow; antique quilt show; apron show
• 2 p.m. — Old-time and modern farm skills contest
• 2 p.m. — Horseshoe pitching training for all ages
• 6 p.m. — Talent show
• 6:30 p.m. — Poultry show
• 7 p.m. — Baldwin High School band
• 7 p.m. — Rabbit show
• 7:15 p.m. — Flower show judging
• 7:30 p.m. — Live music

Friday:

• 10 a.m. — Stock bicycle races
• Noon — Races, sack races, tug of war
• 7 p.m. — Lawnmower pull
• 7:30 p.m. — Live music

Saturday:

• 9 am. — Horseshoe pitching
• 10 a.m. — Registration for pet parade and box turtle race
• 11 a.m. — Box turtle race and pet parade
• 11 a.m. — Tractor pull
• 1 to 4 p.m. — Livestock judging
• 2 p.m. — Kids’ pedal tractor pull weigh-in
• 2:30 p.m. — Kids’ pedal tractor pull
• 5 p.m. — Homemade ice cream freezing begins
• 7:30 p.m. — Homemade ice cream-making contest, judging and serving
• 7:30 p.m. — Live music