Big Butler Fair better than ever
It's back in Butler and bigger than ever.
The Big Butler Fair returns for its 164th summer.
The fair officially begins at 9 a.m. Friday, following a preliminary round for the harness races taking place at 10 a.m. Thursday.
The carnival opens daily, but the times at which it opens vary throughout the nine-day fair. Official times for all events are available on the fair's website.
Classic activities — such as the racing events, animal competitions and pulling competitions — remain in this year's lineup, according to event coordinator Ben Roenigk.
Roenigk said this year, the fair will see the return of a fan favorite music group that will perform, in addition to the bands Hobbs Sisters and BlackHawk who will give the free concert on July 6.
“The Clarks are coming back this year,” Roenigk said.
The Clarks, a popular Pittsburgh-based band that dates back to the mid-1980s, will be the opening concert Friday.Roenigk said the fair will also see a few new daily events this year as well, including Marvelous Mutts.“It's a dog show and it's really fantastic,” Roenigk said.He said the Ox Dynasty attraction will also be added this year.“They're big oxen,” Roenigk said. “You can get up close to them and pet them. It's pretty cool,” Roenigk saidJuly Fourth also falls within the fair, and it would be impossible to ignore the holiday, Roenigk said.He noted that Jeff Shively, owner of Shively Fireworks Displays, is in charge of the holiday's fireworks display. He said that Shively has used the word “gigantic” to describe this year's explosive celebration.Roenigk said the Butler County fair continues to be a beloved family-friendly event that not only draws county residents but also people from other places around the country.“Our carnival is one of the best carnivals in the country,” he said.
