By Mike Perleberg
One of the most popular events at the Aurora Farmers Fair is the large parade held Saturday morning. The fair begins Wednesday, October 2 and runs through Saturday, October 5.
(Aurora, Ind.) - Indiana’s longest continuously running street fair officially kicks off its 105th year Wednesday.
The annual Aurora Farmers Fair is perhaps southeast Indiana’s most historic festival. The event was first held in 1909 organized by the Aurora Business Men’s Association. Today it is made possible by volunteers with the Aurora Lions Club.
Opening night festivities Wednesday include performances by show choirs from South Dearborn, Lawrenceburg, and South Ripley schools.
The crowning of the Aurora Farmers Fair king and queen highlights the evening. The candidates include:
East Central High School – Kelly Anne Renninger and Nathan Howard Kneuven
Jac-Cen-Del High School – Lindsey Nicole Cutton and Stephen Joseph Waltz
Lawrenceburg High School – Kelly Hand and Tyler Gabor
Milan High School – Dakota Lynn Stites and Gavin Lee Detraz
Oldenburg Academy – Hannah Teaney and Joshua Steven Hollingsworth
Rising Sun High School – Amber Marie Sporleder and Jacob Allen Scott
South Dearborn High School – Anne Marie Seibert and Brendan Wesley Slack
South Ripley High School – Emily Ann Cumberworth and Austin Shawn Halcomb
Southeastern Career Center – Katelyn Hayden and Johnathon Ryan Ferguson
Switzerland County High School – Victoria May Abbot and Austin Mitchell Clark
The festival will continue Thursday from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. with live music and a presentation honoring World War II veterans.
With South Dearborn Schools out for the day, activity picks up Friday. The festival will be open from noon until 11:00 p.m. The popular pet parade will begin at 2:00 p.m. The diaper derby baby race begins at 4:00 p.m. Country music band The Henningsens play on the main stage at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday’s huge parade runs from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Lifelong Auroran Charlotte Hastings has the honor of serving as the parade’s grand marshal.
Following the parade, fair attendees can check out a car show on Bridgeway Street. Unlimited rides can be taken advantage of for $20 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Saturday. Live entertainment includes Blue Stone Ivory, Ooh La La and The Greasers, Ridge Runner, and The Van Dells among others.
Free shuttle service to the Aurora Farmers Fair is offered Saturday only from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. from South Dearborn High School.
Complete information on the 105th Annual Aurora Farmers Fair can be found on the official website, http://www.aurorafarmersfair.org/.
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