Brown County Fair board secretary Candice Stadick said fair volunteers did get a little wet during setup, but the teams worked through the rain and had everything setup on time thanks to many volunteers.

The carnival rides opened promptly at 5 p.m. as the last bit rain fell and the sun came out from behind the clouds. The crowd followed, pouring into the midway soon after the rain ended.

Among the first to attend the carnival were Austin Zamzow, 17, and Chayton Sherrod, 15. The two young men quickly managed to try out most of the carnival rides, including the Yo-Yo Swings. The two agreed the best ride at the fair this year was the Gravitron. Aside from the rides the boys liked food fair food best. Sherrod said he loved funnel cake, while Zamzow preferred the mini donuts. Those interested in food were spoiled for choices with a dozen food vendors lining the midway.

Other came to the fair for the animal exhibit. Sophia Halbur, a member of the Milford 4H Cloverbuds, showed her pet Nigerian Dwarf goat “Mischief” during the show. The entire Halbur family attended to show their support. After the show, the family enjoy an ice cream treat. Sophia’s father Rick Halbur said the family attends the fair every year and will likely visit the fairgrounds each day it was in town.

Tim Knutson races to be the first to cut through a log twice as part of the All American Lumberjack show. Knutson managed to finish first in the head to head competition. For this lumbjack game the compeititors were using modified chainsaws with larger motors and higher octane fuel.

Stadick said there was a lot of great free entertainment at the fair this year. The Entertainment Hall will host live music from afternoon through evening every day of the fair. Several family friendly activities will be held on Friday for Kid’s Day. This includes face painting, balloon artists and kids’ tractor pedal pull.

New this year, the All American Lumberjack Show would be hosting three live performances each day at the fair. The first performance was held Wednesday evening. Audiences were able to watch skilled lumberjacks, Carl Swanson and Tim Knutson, compete head to head. For the first performance Swanson and Knutson went competed in three different sawing events. First they used a single buck saw before moving to chainsaws and later modified chainsaws. The closed the performance with an ax throwing competition. The two will compete in other lumberjack activities throughout the fair include log rolling.

Stadick said a new event this year is a Cribbage Tournament that starts at 1 p.m. Thursday in the Entertainment Hall.

Wednesday evening entertainment included a truck and tractor pull in the grandstands. The grandstands will host demo derbies on Thursday and Saturdays and a musical performance from Terri Clark Friday.

Area high school students Austin Zamzow (left) and Chayton Sherrod (right) holds hands in the air as they go around on the Yo-Yo Swings. Zamzow and Sherrod were among the first to get on the rides when the carnival open Wednesday. They agreed this year the best ride at the carnival was the Gravitron, but the enjoyed the swings too.

New to the fair this year is the All American Lumberjack Show. Each day during the fair, two lumberjacks will participate in head to head competition for fair goers. The first show was held Wednesday evening. Tim Knutson starts a modified chainsaw for the hot saw racing competition. Competition referee Jamie Fischer watches the back.

The Halbur family from Essig, attends opening day of the The Brown County Fair. For the first day they brough along their pet goat. The eldest daughter Sophie participated in the 4H Pet show in the Cloverbud division. (Left to right): Luke Halbur, Anne Halbur, Monica Halbur, Rick Halbur holding Luccia Halbur and Sophie Halbur holding her pet goat “Mischief.”

Shortly after the rain stopped Wednesday, dozens poured into the Brown County Fairgrounds to attend opening day of the fair.