The 26th Allen County Fun Fair is looking for participants to compete in its Queen & Little Miss pageants, youth talent contest, open-class exhibits and parade during the six-day fair running July 28 through Aug. 2 at the Allen County Fairgrounds.

The Miss Allen County Queen Pageant is set for 6 p.m. July 19 at Carroll High School, 3701 Carroll Road in Fort Wayne. Participants must be between the ages of 17-21, and must either reside, attend school or participate in a community organization within Allen County, such as 4-H, dance, youth choir or church.

Younger ladies ages 2-16 can participate in the Little Miss program, which kicks off during the Miss Allen County Queen Pageant, and runs through July 30. Applicants are not required to live within Allen County. The Little Miss titles are determined by funds raised, and all donations go toward the Miss Allen County Queen Scholarship Fund.

Applicants must register by July 1 for both pageants. For more information, log on MissAllenCounty.com, or email Michelle Love at
MissAllenCounty@gmail.com.

The fair is also seeking participants for its youth talent contest, which takes place at 6 p.m. July 28 at the Home & Family Arts Building. Juniors 12 and under, and seniors 13-21 years old are welcome to enter in the solo/group categories for: vocal, instrumental, dance, novelty, tumbling, or clogging. Entry fee is $10 before July 22, and $15 day of. Again, participants do not need to reside in Allen County.

Additionally, adults ages 18+ can enter exhibits at the Home & Family Arts Building for the duration of the fair. For a minimal fee of $1 per exhibit, the public can enter items to be judged in the following categories: foods, food preservation, clothing construction, houseplants, floral arrangements, wreaths, garden produce, arts & crafts, wall hangings, Christmas decorations, ceramics, fine arts, photography and sewing. Participants must register by July 22.

Community, youth and performance groups, bands, floats, animals and cars are also invited to be a part of the parade at 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 1. Registration closes July 24.

Other fair activities like the greased watermelon and pie-baking contests, pedal car and rickshaw races, red neck relays and classic car cruise-in accept registration on the day of the event/s.

Overall fair features include a new ATV stunt show on opening day, more carnival rides with dollar ride nights, fireworks, hot air balloon flight and glow, demolition derby, truck pull, monster truck rides, 4-H exhibits, animals and much more.

Tickets are $5; children 5 and under, and parking is free. For more information on admission discounts, registration forms, and a full event schedule, log on ACFunFair.com, or call 260.449.4444.