Tractor pulls everywhere, but don’t forget those Look-Alikes

Courtesy photo: Pictured is the Paper of Music Artist, Charlie Haley who will perform at the Boone County Fair.

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

BELVIDERE – Day Three of the 2015 Boone County Fair is Thursday, a special time because those 65 years of age and older are admitted free of charge. Typically, the fair sees its biggest attendance on this day.

Kids and the young at heart also get a break because rides are discounted from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the fair itself remains $6 per person.

It’s a day filled with 4-H shows and the heralded 4-H livestock auction, starting at 5 p.m. at the Livestock Arena.

There’s a wide range of entertainment starting with Gene Shepherd and Band on the grounds from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. and a repeat performance in the Entertainment Pavilion by Joyce Leonard, Michigan’s Yodeling Sweetheart, between noon and 2 p.m.

Kevin Burns Good Vibrations will follow Leonard, performing from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the pavilion.

Later in the day the pavilion will feature something special: a five-hour show with music provided by Charlie Haley amongst the Mother/Daughter and Father/Son Look Alike competitions.

Thursday also is a time of all kinds of tractor pulls starting at 10 in the morning, when the machinery that toils on area farms takes center stage. At 7 p.m., the big boys belching black smoke start doing their thing in front of the Grandstand.

The evening-ending tractor, truck and semi event costs $10 for a Grandstand seat and $5 to sit in the Bleachers. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.

Earlier in the day there’s another tractor and truck pull, starting at 2 p.m. at the Grandstand. This is super farm tractors, altered farm tractors, street stock trucks, super stock trucks, stock diesel 4-wheel-drive trucks and open, 8,000-pound diesel trucks.

The major tractor and truck pull will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Grandstand.

Music by Charlie Haley

Charlie Haley’s band will open 4 1/2 hours of entertainment at 5:30 p.m. at the pavilion.

They’re based in Sycamore and spokesman David Butts said Haley, who’s been performing for 15-20 years, now is hoping to make music his livelihood.

He primarily employs Christian rock music and has appeared all over, from the Grand Ole Opry to local venues. Most recently yhe performed at Lifefest in Oshkosh, Wis.

Haley is the lead guitarist and singer in the band, which also includes drums and another guitar player. They have a CD, Soul Searching, which has been out for a little over one year.

This is his first appearance at the Boone County Fair and will be his longest performance so far.

After 30 minutes or so of music the Mother/Daughter Look Alike Contest will get under way in the pavilion. Registration is from 5:30 to 6 behind the pavilion, with judging at 6. All contestants must already have paid fair admission of $6 per person at the gate.

Arnie Pearse is the director of the event.

Prizes will be awarded immediately after the contest. First place receives a $25 in cash; second place, $20; and third place, $15.

While this is going on, and while the major tractor and truck pull is beginning, there will be Pony Olympics getting under way at 6:30 p.m. in the Pony Arena.

Haley will resume performing once the Mother/Daughter event is over and continue until 8 p.m., when the Father/Son Look Alike Contest is held. Registration will be at 7:30 p.m. behind the entertainment pavilion.

Rules are the same as for the Mother/Daughter competition and the prize money also is the same. Both events are directed by Pearse and sponsored by Parnell Foods.