Updated: 2012 Houghton County Fair opens TODAY, Aug. 23, in Hancock

The theme for this year's Houghton County Fair is "Color My World." What can be as colorful as a Merry-go-Round? Come to the Fair this weekend to find out! (2011 file photos by Keweenaw Now)

HANCOCK -- Hey! Ho! Come to the 61st Annual Houghton County Fair Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 23-26 at the Fairgrounds and Houghton County Arena in Hancock. Amusements, Midway and Exhibit Buildings open at 3 p.m. TODAY, Thursday, Aug. 23.

This year the theme of the Fair is "Color My World." Displayed on all days of the Fair will be the Antique Tractor/Implement Show (Ballfield) and the Ham Radio Special Event (Indoor Arena) Sponsored by the Copper Country Radio Amateur Association (CCRAA).

During the 2011 Houghton County Fair this noisy duck tries to get attention in the Small Animal Barn -- which will be the scene of the Poultry/Rabbit Show tonight at 6 p.m. (2011 video clips by Keweenaw Now)

Some highlights for today, Thursday, Aug. 23, include the Open Horse Show -- Speed (Horse Arena) at 5 p.m.; Barnyard Express (Midway) at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.; Poultry/Rabbit Show (Small Animal Barn) at 6 p.m.; Miss Houghton County Queen Pageant (Indoor Stage) at 6:30 p.m.; Motocross (Main Event Arena) at 7 p.m.; Bob and Trish Juggling Show (Indoor Stage) at 8:30 p.m.

Kids admire the rabbits at the 2011 Houghton County Fair.

Friday, Aug. 24, offers several attractions for animal enthusiasts: the Swine Show (Livestock Pavilion) at 9 a.m.; Market Steer Show (Livestock Pavilion) at 11 a.m.;
Dairy and Beef Show (Livestock Pavilion) at Noon; Wild World of Animals (Indoor Stage) at 12:20 p.m. and (Midway) at 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Equine Freestyle Demonstration (Horse Arena) Copper Country Horse Riders 4-H Club; Sheep and Goat Show (Livestock Pavilion) at 3 p.m.; Barnyard Express (Midway) at 3:30 p.m.; Horse Jumping Show (Horse Arena) at 5 p.m. Exhibit Buildings open at 11 a.m. on Friday.

"Don't forget me," this lonely sheep seems to be saying. This Friday, Aug. 24, the Sheep and Goat Show will be held at 3 p.m. in the Livestock Pavilion at the Fair.

The Ruth E. Best Homemaker of the Year (FCE) and Open Class Exhibits Awards will take place at 12:15 p.m. Friday.

Amusements and Midway open at noon Friday, Saturday and Sunday and remain open after 10 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday -- and after 5 p.m. Sunday.

Amusements open at 3 p.m. TODAY, Thursday, Aug. 23, and remain open in the evenings at the Fair.

Also on Friday, from noon - 4 p.m., will be the Senior Citizens’ Day Program (age 55 and over free lunch), entertainment, prize drawings (Indoor Arena). And don't miss the Farm Tractor Pull (Main Event Arena) starting at 6 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 25, is a full day of activities, entertainment and events, beginning with the Livestock Skill-a-thon (Livestock Barn) at 9 a.m., John Bishop MemorialYouth Horse Show (Horse Arena) at 10 a.m.; Dick Storm- Eagle Country Hall of Fame (Indoor Stage) at 10 a.m. Exhibit Buildings also open at 10 a.m.

Sometimes livestock need a little urging to participate in the Fair activities!

The whole family will have fun trying science experiments with the Michigan Tech Mindtrekkers (Ballfield) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Michigan Tech Mind Trekkers demonstrate making ice cream from liquid nitrogen and serve it to visitors at the 2011 Houghton County Fair. Mind Trekkers return to the Fair with lots of fun-filled science experiments for everyone this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Ballfield. *

Kids' Fun Day (Indoor Arena) is at a NEW TIME on Saturday -- from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday also offers the Horse Shoe Pitching Tournament (singles) at noon, with registration at 11 a.m. (Horseshoe Pit in Ballfield); the Livestock Auction (Livestock Pavilion) at 4:30 p.m.; Midwest Monster Trucks (Main Event Arena) at 7:30 p.m.; and Cirque de UP: Bob, Trish, Jason Unicycle Juggling Act (Roving) at 9:30 p.m.

Be sure to admire the work of local gardeners, farmers, homemakers and artisans in the Exhibit Buildings.

Sunday, Aug. 26, the final day of the Fair, kicks off with the Open Horse Show (Horse Arena) at 9 a.m. -- the Draft Show at 9:30 a.m. will run during the open show. The
Horseshoe Pitching Tournament (doubles) is at noon, with registration at 11 a.m. (Horseshoe Pit in Ballfield).

Don't miss the Youth Talent Show (Indoor Stage) at 1 p.m. (NEW TIME) and the Demolition Derby (Main Event Arena) at 2 p.m.

Among the musical groups entertaining at the Fair are the following:
Friday: Rolling Thunder (Indoor Stage) at 1 p.m.; Bret and Frisk Variety Music (Indoor Stage) at 6 p.m.; Conga Se Menne (Indoor Stage) at 8 p.m.
Saturday: Tom Katalin (Indoor Stage) 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday: Kivajat Folk Dancers (Indoor Stage) at 2:30 p.m.

These and many more events are listed in the online brochure. Click here for the full schedule and more information about the Fair.

More photos from the 2011 Houghton County Fair:

See you there!

* UPDATE: Click here to learn more about Mind Trekkers on Tech Today.