Chickasaw County Big 4 Fair, Labor Day Weekend

My favorite county fair in Iowa is this weekend; The Chickasaw County Big 4 Fair is in Nashua Iowa, Labor Day weekend and it is 4 days of fun with family and friends.

Let's talk midway rides.  The Big 4 has a pretty good size midway with lots of spinning rides, like the scrambler, the zipper and tilt-a-whirl, for the adventurous type,  I'd rather be on one of the legs of the supper slide racing to the bottom in gunny sacks, and I'll probably ride that a few dozen times again this year.  Younger kids will enjoy the caterpillar roller coaster, the boats and even the fun house.  I'm sure there are rides I didn't mention, so come check it out for yourself too.  Carnival Ride Tickets 1 ticket - $1; 25 tickets - $20; 40 tickets - $30.  Rides require 2-4 tickets per ride.

Carnival Unlimited Ride Armband Special $25 each day!

Friday - 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.      Saturday - Noon - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday - Noon - 5:00 p.m.            Monday -  Noon - 5:00 p.m.

After the rides, of course I take in the midway games.  Yep, you'll find the balloon darts, the baseball speed throw, probably a duck pond, the ring toss with pop bottles.  Midway Alley will be lined with huge stuffed animals that guys will try to win for their girlfriends, but I'll be hanging out at the Dozer Push.  This is my downfall at fairs and I look forward to it every year.  I remember winning switchblade combs, pocket knives and plastic mini beer mugs in every color when I was a kid.  Now I try for the coin purses full of coins, bottle opener key chains and whatever my kids think looks cool.

Midway & Carnival opens Friday at 5:00 p.m.  Saturday, Sunday & Monday at Noon.  

Fairs can be a great place for food.  Who can pass up the corn dogs, cotton candy, funnel cakes or mini donuts?  Yeah, the Big 4 has all of that, but they also have the Nashua-Plainfield Band Shelter with pizza, grilled burgers and sandwiches.  Me, I venture to St. Michael's food stand for homemade goodies like Chicken and Noodles, Hot Beef sandwiches loaded with mashed potatoes and real gravy, brats and kraut, creamy cucumber salad and of course, slices of homemade pies.  Great food like grandma use to make.

Of course there are barns to walk thru with livestock and some of the buildings are new, thanks to the hard work of the board and lots of volunteers.  There is a commercial building with lots of goodies to look over and buy and of course there is the building with the quilts and things on display.  I'm always amazed at the talent and time put in to all of those.

Every great fair has entertainment and events that fair-goers look forward to.  Big 4 is no different.  Friday night is the Truck and Tractor Pull, starting at 6:30pm, Saturday has Figure 8 Races at 6:30, Sunday has the Tough Truck at 7pm and the huge staple of the Big 4 happens Sunday and Monday, the Iowa-Minnesota Chuckwagon Races are held, rain or shine, 2pm.  Tickets for all of these events are available at the ticket window located under the bleachers.  Sit in the bleachers or head to the pits, tickets at the same window.

Let's not forget all the other things going on at the Big 4.  Events include a Bean Bag Tournament, Horse and Pony Show, karaoke contest, and new this year, the Best Dam BBQ contest.  Plus there are various bands playing at the fair and the beer garden will be open for those 21 and older to enjoy.  You'll want to stick around Saturday night for the fireworks after the races.

Admission to the fair is free.  Lots of parking on the side streets and north of the fairgrounds at the baseball/softball grounds.  Want more information? Big 4 Fair is on Facebook and they have a BIG 4 FAIR website.

Hope to see you at the BIG 4 FAIR this Labor Day.  My family and friends have had fun there for decades.  Big 4 Fair celebrates 117 years this year and I hope they keep going for another 100 plus.