Boone County Fair draws large crowd despite rain

Despite a little rain, the Boone County Fair still saw a large crowd as it hosted various events Friday evening.

Intermittent showers forced fairgoers under tents and stopped rides for short periods of time while the rain cleared.

The biggest event of the night was the talent show, which featured a junior division and a senior division. Finalists from previous talent shows earlier in the week competed for cash prizes. There wasn’t an empty seat as fairgoers watched contestants perform musical numbers such as violin pieces and solo vocals.

“It’s a pretty nice little talent show,” said fairgoer Nanette Schneier. "I’ve never been to this before."

The Memphis Kings, a four-member group that plays mostly blues and classic rock, was one of the bands competing Friday night.

“I started playing guitar when I was 13, and I’ve been playing the bass for two years now,” said 17-year-old band member Jordan Lamb. The fair was the band’s first performance.

Among the usual attractions on Friday night was the baby boy contest, which saw a large audience full of strollers that turned up to watch more than 80 entrants in the contest.

The garden tractor and mini-rod pull was delayed and eventually cancelled.

Today’s events include a ham breakfast, academy and society horse shows, barbecue contest judging, and a truck and tractor pull.