LOCAL BRIEFS

The 117th annual Aitkin County Fair is planned Aug. 1-4 at the Aitkin County Fairgrounds.

Wristbands for the Funland Carnival presented by Rogers Brothers Shows may be purchased in advance or at the door. Wristband ride hours are from 1-5 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. Advance wristbands may be purchased at Members Cooperative Credit Union in Aitkin and McGregor, Paulbeck's County Market, the Aitkin County Auditor's Office, Grand Timber Bank-McGregor, People's National Bank, Security State Bank and Bremer Bank.

The carnival on the midway will open at 1 p.m. daily, featuring rides, shows and concessions.

Bingo will be played in the old dance hall building from 1-9 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, 1-7 p.m. Thursday and 1-5 p.m. Saturday.

Entry day for all non-livestock exhibits is July 31. The Home Activities Building will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. for open-class entries; 4-H exhibits will be judged from 1-6 p.m.

All livestock entries will be registered Aug. 1, with 4-H horses in place by 8 a.m., 4-H livestock by noon and all open-class livestock by 5 p.m.

The Farm Olympics will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the livestock arena. Teams of five can sign up at the cattle barn and meet at 5 p.m. for more information.

Thursday is Senior Citizen's Day. The Aitkin County Outstanding Senior Awards will be presented at 2 p.m. Young Riders 4-H will host a Fun and Game House Show at 4 p.m. in the horse arena. The Kid's Tractor Pull will be held on the midway concourse at 6 p.m. and a teen dance will be held from 7-10 p.m.

The 4-H Blue Ribbon Auction will be held Friday at 6 p.m. in the livestock arena. The demolition derby will be held at 7 p.m.

Saturday, the 4-H dog show will start at 9 a.m., a chocolate cooking contest begins at 10:30 a.m. and the 4-H Master Showmanship contest begins at noon. An ATV pull will begin at 1 p.m. at the grandstand.

Premium lists are available at the Aitkin Independent Age, the county auditor's office and area banks and business.

Lakes Area Firefighters' Competition Aug. 5

PALISADE - The annual Lakes Area Firefighters' Competition will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 5 at Berglund Park in Palisade.

Area fire departments will participate in events such as waterball, buddy race, obstacle course, horse relay, tug-o-war, canoe race and bucket brigade. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Food will be available.

The event is free and co-hosted by the Palisade Fire Department and the Palisade Area Lions Club.

Pierz Area Community Picnic scheduled Aug. 1

PIERZ - The Pierz Area Partners in Progress will host a Pierz Area Community Picnic from 5-7 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Pierz Park.

The event is free and will include food, prizes and activities for all ages.

Bring an item for the food shelf and help fill a Brandl Motor's truck with food.