This Season: Johnson County Fair begins Monday

On Monday, the Johnson County Fairgrounds will once again host the Johnson County Fair and all the visitors, animals and events that go along with it.

But before homemade ice cream is churned, animals are judged and fireworks are launched, those with the Johnson County Agricultural Association must make sure the fairgrounds on Oak Crest Hill Road S.E. in Iowa City, are in tiptop shape.

For Facilities Manager Kyle Fehlberg, that means setting up bleachers, cleaning out buildings and preparing facilities for the various sheep, goats and cattle that will take up temporary shelter on the fairgrounds.

It's not a task that can be completed overnight, Fehlberg said.

'As far as setup goes, the last two weeks have really been kind of crunchtime,' he said Tuesday. 'We can't just open the doors and have everyone come in.'

Other than this fall's Sept. 24 Jingle Cross, in which the area will host one of Union Cycliste Internationale's World Cup race sites, the July fair is hands down the busiest week for the fairgrounds each year, Fehlberg said.

Fehlberg said volunteers from the fair board help lighten the load, but work will be underway up until the 2016 Johnson County Fair kicks off Monday.

But while the bulk of Fehlberg's work began a few weeks ago, Brenda Christner, business manager with the Johnson County Agricultural Association, said preparations for this year's fair began as soon as last year's fair ended.

'We start thinking about how we can improve on last year, how we can make this year better,' Christner said.

Entertainment — this year's fair will include performances by Funk Daddies Band and Sound Exchange — is lined up as soon as December and exhibits and sponsors were identified earlier this year, Christner said.

Christner said one of her biggest focuses in recent years has been adding events for the younger fairgoers.

'The kids really make the fair, they're the ones who really enjoy it the most,' she said.

And when the 2016 Johnson County Fair winds down on Friday, a benefit will be held to begin preparations all over again for next year's event.

But until then, volunteers will keep their eye on the task at hand.

'Right now we're just working at full speed ahead,' Christner said.

For a full schedule of events, go to johnsoncofair.com.