LAKE ODESSA — After two years of disruptions, the Lake Odessa Fair is back with five days of fun in Ionia County.
The Lake Odessa Fair takes place Wednesday through Sunday, June 22-26 — according to a news release. The annual event brings a variety of rides, animals, food and events to southern Ionia County to kick off the summer.
The fair was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and severe weather shut down much of the 2021 event. Organizers are hopeful this year’s fair will go on uninterrupted.
“We are looking forward to five incredible days to bring everyone together again,” stated Lake Odessa Fair Board President Bill King.
The fair begins with the grand parade at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Sponsors helped make unlimited ride wristbands for the evening for just $18. Arnold Amusements, based in Traverse City, is providing the midway rides again. Draft horse pulls take place at the grandstands, while Scott Martin will perform at the Beer Barn.
Thursday begins with the Youth Dairy show at 9 a.m. The carnival opens at 4 p.m. The fair’s Carnival for Kids program has $10 off unlimited wristband coupons available at the fair office, with 150 available. Regular price wristbands will be $25. At 5 p.m. the youth rabbit show and dodgeball tournament will take place. Kids play free thanks to AIS Construction Equipment. The Beer Barn opens at 6 p.m. while Trivia Night with Ben Geiger begins at 6:30 p.m.
Friday starts with the youth livestock and horse shows at 9 a.m. The carnival again begins at 4 p.m. with the same Carnival for Kids Program from Thursday. The fair will host its first ever 2s Sand Volleyball Tournament. The new 90s Country Night in the Beer Barn begins at 6 p.m. SJO Motocross racing takes place at the grandstand. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the gate for the show. For custom car owners, there is a car cruise from 8 p.m. to dusk.
On Saturday, the Lions Club begins its free kids eye screening program at noon. The carnival midway opens at 1 p.m., with the same Carnival for Kids program available each day of the fair. The custom car show starts at 1 p.m. at the west end of the fairgrounds. The teen and youth volleyball events start at 2 p.m., as well as the kids pedal pull on the east end of the fairgrounds. The Beer Barn opens at 4 p.m. The Mega Raffle Party takes place in the Fred Morris Building at 6 p.m. It is a reverse raffle-style event with the last ticket winning $3,000 and prizes are distributed throughout the night. There will be live music, beer and yard games. Truck and tractor pulls take place at the grandstand, with tickets $10 in advance and $12 at the gate. The PFCU 75th Anniversary Fireworks display starts around 10:30 p.m.
Sunday marks the final day of the 2022 fair. An adult co-ed volleyball tournament starts at 9 a.m. Roundhead Cornhole is hosting a cornhole tournament at noon. The carnival midway opens at 1 p.m. with discount coupons available again to the first 150 kids. Princesses will be on the midway at 2 p.m. The event wraps up Sunday night with the Derby Show presented by Unique Motorsports. Tickets are $15 in advance with gates opening at 4:30 p.m. Gate tickets are $15 but sales don’t open until 5 p.m.
“I cannot emphasize enough how excited we are for the 2022 Lake Odessa Fair,” King stated. “We are beyond grateful for the community and the sponsors who helped pick us up after a devastating natural disaster that 2021 was. We look forward to seeing everyone soon.”
More information is available online on the fair website: lakeodessafair.org.