26th annual Allen County Fun Fair runs July 28 – Aug. 2

EVENT: Allen County Fun Fair

DATE: Tuesday, July 28 – Sunday, Aug. 2

TIME: Varies, log on ACFunFair.com for a full schedule.

LOCATION: Allen County Fairgrounds, 2726 Carroll Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46818

COST: Tickets are $5; children 5 and under are free, and parking is free. Buy four tickets, get one free (valid everyday). Wednesday is Senior Discount Day – $3 for seniors ages 55+. $2 off general admission on Farmers Care Day – Sunday, Aug. 2 – with a non-perishable food donation. Dollar ride days are: 1-10 p.m. Thursday, July 30 and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2. Unlimited $20 ride bracelets available: 5-10 p.m. July 28, 29 and 31, and 2-10 p.m. Aug. 1. Some events may cost additional as noted in the attached schedule.

DETAILS: Opening night kicks off with a new high-flying daredevil ATV stunt show from Henry “The Pitbull” Rife 7 p.m. at the fair’s pull strip, as previously seen on the “Late Show with David Letterman” and Discovery Channel’s “Heirs to the Dare.” The entertainer, who hails from Van Wert, Ohio, has set world records for longest distance jump without the aid of a landing ramp, and most cars jumped indoors. He will perform 12-15 jumps and fly over up to 10 cars during his premiere at the fair.

Staple highlights throughout the week include, but are not limited to: Mudrack Tree Service fireworks show, Little Miss pageant, youth talent contest, nightly concerts, Economy Auto Parts & Mark’s Body Shop demolition derby, truck and tractor pulls, monster truck rides, 4-H animal petting area and exhibits, crafts, donkey and pony rides, Automotive Color & Supply Co. classic car cruise-in, parade, and a new dirt drag and tug-a-truck event on the last day of the fair.

Kids Day, Thursday, July 30, is jam packed with activities like free face painting and balloon art, an Indiana Wild animal show, antique tractor display, Phil’s Hobby Shop R.C. electric plane demonstration, Lutheran Hospital ground helicopter tour and more. Fairgoers can cool off with some free ice cream at the pull strip followed by rickshaw races and redneck relays. The popular hot air balloon flight, sponsored by Ferrell Gas, starts at 7 p.m. on the north grounds and ends with a phenomenal glow spectacle once the sun sets.

For the second consecutive year, North American Midway Entertainment, an industry leader in customer service and safety, will bring over a dozen rides for kids of all ages including the “Freak Out,” a fan favorite thrill ride featuring a revolving pendulum that sways riders up to 127 degrees. Many of these rides will have new LED lights, which will make it a lot brighter this year.

The Home & Family Arts Building will also exhibit anything from food, floral arrangements and garden produce to arts and crafts, clothing and photography for the duration of the fair, plus also provide relief from the heat with air conditioning.

On-site day of registration is available for the following:

Tuesday, July 28: Greased watermelon contest for ages 5-19 (registration starts at 6:30 p.m.; $2 per 4-member team) Wednesday, July 29: Pie baking contest (register between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and pedal car races for ages 3-18 and adults (register at 5 p.m.; $2 entry fee) Thursday, July 30: Redneck relays and rickshaw races (register at 7 p.m.; $10 per 3-member team for relays only) Friday, July 31: Classic car cruise-in (starts at 4 p.m.; judging at 6:30 p.m.; dash plaques for first 50 entries) and 4×4 truck pull (register at 5 p.m.; $25 entry fee) Saturday, Aug. 1: Demolition derby (register at 4 p.m.; $20 entry fee)