Racing pigs and jumping dogs join dueling guitars and crushing biceps as part of the 2014 free grounds entertainment schedule. A mix of old and new acts will hit stages around the fair.
“We have scoured the country to find the nation’s best entertainers. Fair-goers will enjoy more than a dozen different performing groups of comedians, bands, stunts and so much more for free,” says Fair Director and Free Grounds Entertainment Manager Lori Neumeier.
Selecting who performs is an ongoing process, she says.
“I am always looking for new, unusual and fascinating shows. I attend many conventions, fairs and festivals, and search the Internet for acts,” she says. “I have a great relationship with many food vendors that travel all around and they always bring me good entertainment ideas.
“I have also used my children and their friends as a good gauge to see if they would consider going to see an act that I am thinking about booking. I love the hunt for a good show. My pay-off is when I see our fair patrons really enjoying a show.”
This year, several new acts will perform, including:
• MaMa Lou - An American strong woman, she crushes apples with her biceps, rips telephone books and bends metal rods.
• James Johnson – This event is a world record balloon stunt show.
• Bill Brown’s High Dive Show – A themed stunt dive show featuring dives from more than 80 feet high: equivalent to an eight-story building.
• Jared Sherlock – He turned his hobby into a profession at the age of 13 mixing magic and the art of illusion.
• SongBlast – This show spotlights dueling guitars with a variety of music.
Neumeier says while fresh new entertainment is important, the fair wouldn’t be the same without some essential offerings.
“It just would not be a fair without a few fair favorites. In fact, I think if I did not have these shows the fair-goers may run me off the grounds,” she says.
Returning classics include:
• Swifty Swine Pig Races – Swifty Swine has been part of the Porter County Fair for more than 10 years. The show features Swine Master Zach Johnson calling the races and Swifty the swimming piglet.
“Really the name says it all… who doesn’t love a good pig race?” Neumeier says.
• K9 Crew Frisbee Dog Show – Dogs jump, dive and slide for Frisbees.
“Past Fair Manager Lonnie Steele’s daughter called us and said we needed this show at our fair. She did not steer us wrong,” Neumeier says. “If you love dogs, then this is the show for you. These dogs are amazing.”
• Kenny Ahern Show – For more than 12 years, Ahern has been bringing his physical comedy show to the fair stage.
• Tyzen – The hypnotist is a popular fan favorite especially with the teen crowd, Neumeier says.
“When he is not at our fair, I always have people asking me about him and when he will be back,” she says.
• TSC Barnyard – “This fact-filled attraction is fun for all ages,” Neumeier says. “All of the animals are provided by local farmers.”
Offering an assortment of performers and shows every year helps keep the fair fresh and relevant, Neumeier says.
“They say variety is the spice of life. I also think variety at any fair or festival is important for its survival. Everyone comes to the fair for different reasons: concerts, 4-H, rides, food and entertainment. No one aspect of the fair could stand alone,” she says. “So we have carefully tried to offer a variety of attractions at a fair price to appeal to the many different tastes of our patrons. The Porter County Fair recognizes that as our county and community change we must strive to improve, grow and change with it.
“Our overall mission to educate the public about agriculture never changes. Sometimes you need to go about it in a way that is relevant and current to the times.”
