The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

This year the Chouteau County Fair starts on Thursday, August 17 and goes through Sunday, August 20.

There are new events and, of course, a splendid array of golden oldies. In addition to lots of action, the Chouteau County fair is a place to sit in the shade, drink lemonade and talk with old friends maybe not seen since last year’s fair.

There is only one large change in the 2017 fair. Thursday night The Grocery Store in Big Sandy sponsored a competition in the form of a pork throwdown. This year there is going to be a Harvest Hot Dish Competition again sponsored by The Grocery Store. People who enter the competition will be cooking harvest type hot dishes and desserts. These can be old time and should be a lot of fun especially for those who get to eat dinner with all those desserts and hot dishes that Thursday night.

Here is a schedule of most all of the events. Remember the fair is just around the corner. Get ready now.

Schedule of events:

Thursday, August 17, at 6PM The Grocery Storein Big Sandy is hosting a Harvest Hot Dish Competition. Cost is one dollar per vote for People’s Choice and is a donation to the Chouteau County Food Bank. Fix your crews favorite main dish and or dessert and compete with other county resident’s tried and true recipes –Entry forms available on the website chocofair.com.

Exhibitor Entries Thursday night 4-8PM in all Open Departments to include Floriculture and Agriculture Departments. Final entries will be accepted Friday morning 8-9 AM.

Friday, August 18, Concessions will open at 12PM. Lunch time Fair special from 11AM-2PM. Come for lunch at the fair and stop and purchase your night show tickets at a dollar discount each. Also on Friday is the Golden Harvest Montana State Pig Wrestling Contest. Calcutta starts at 6PM contest begins at 7:30PM

Bounce House, Paint Ball Game, Carnival Games and Free Stage entertainment 1PM till closing all three nights

Saturday, August 19, 10AM-5PM and Sunday, August 20, 10AM-2PM, Heritage Day Happening in the Commercial Building. This event provides a great opportunity for you to experience history hands-on. Bring the whole family for a fun and educational day you’ll never forget.

Saturday evening 7PM Back by Popular Demand in front of the grandstands the Fair Board members are bringing a popular event from the past, “Live a Little Productions”. A Professional motorsports production company based in the Rocky Mountains will be presenting a Western Grand National Truck and Tractor Pull They will be providing the highest quality professional racers and a “Ride Truck” for added entertainment. A local entry division is also offered. Bring your personal truck or semi in and out pull the big boys if you can.

Sunday August 20, at 2PM is the 4-H Livestock sale. The fair also features a Demolition Derby on Sunday Evening August 20. The Derby begins at 6PM and the old fashioned Chain and Go heat will again be featured. This heat is for cars 1980 and newer with the glass knocked out and the doors chained shut like derbies used to be held. Rules are available on the Fair website chocofair.com. To round out the weekend of entertainment

All three days you can sit, visit with old friends, eat fabulous fair food, play Bingo or relax in front of the Free Stage—PreHistoric Adventures- Dinosaur’s will stroll the grounds several

times daily and Michael Mezsmer --known as the “Phenomenist”, will be preforming three times a day on the Free Stage. His goal is to present the allied arts of hypnosis and magic in a way which people of all ages can learn about and enjoy them in a unique theatrical experience. A show to entertain young and old alike. Send the kids to Splat Inflatable Games feature a Paint less Paint Ball Game, an Obstacle Course, Wet/Dry Slides and new game involving Tossing Water Balloons at each other. Marcus the Funny Man will be on the Free Stage several times daily too.

Browsing the various entries from your neighbors is always fun.

The Chouteau County School teachers are proud to display their student’s entries to showcase their talents.

The Commercial area will also feature an assortment of products, arts and crafts, clothing and jewelry for sale.

For a complete listing of all the activities offered at the Chouteau County Fair go to chocofair.com