LUXEMBURG – Here come the carnival, the animal shows, the food, and they're joined this year by bucking broncos and bulls and soaring, flipping bikes.

The Kewaunee County Fair takes place for the 105th time July 7 to 10. The animal shows and judging are the centerpiece of the fair, of course, but organizers also are bringing a couple of big new grandstand events to join the motorized mayhem, Ferris wheel, carnival games, cotton candy and corn dogs, and other favorite events of past years. "Superheroes" is the theme of the Sunday morning fair parade, and the theme carries into several special events during the fair.

Here are seven highlights, besides the animals, of the 2022 fair.

A rockin' rodeo

Taking the spotlight as the Saturday night grandstand show is Big Top Rodeo, a professional rodeo promotion the features current and former world champion rodeo competitors and animals in its shows. The always-spectacular showcase events of bull riding and bronco riding (saddle and bareback) will be joined by competitions in steer wrestling, tie-down roping, girls breakaway roping, team roping and barrel racing. Novice bareback, saddle bronco and bull riding events also will take place.

The rodeo starts at 7 p.m. July 9. Admission to this and all grandstand events is free with the wristband for regular fair admission. Entries are being taken by Big Top for the competitions; for more information, call 337-427-6363 or visit bighatrodeo.com.

Bikes flying high

Another new grandstand event for 2022 is a BMX stunt show by Dialed Action Sports, a group whose national roster includes veterans of competitions and shows like the X Games, Gravity Games and the Van's Warped Tour. For the fair show, two riders will be on hand to speed up giant ramps, fly high into the air and perform flips and other tricks. The show runs from 7 to 8 p.m. July 8. 

The pull of the tractors

Motorsports remains part of this year's fair, as N.E.W. Motorsports brings its traditionally popular truck and tractor pull competition to the grandstand's opening night, at 6 p.m. July 7. Entries are being accepted; for more information, visit new-motorsports.com.

Grills, grills, grills

Nationally recognized, self-proclaimed "grill-ologists" Mad Dog & Merrill of the "Midwest Grill'n" TV show come to the fair for the third time to pit their barbecue skills against grilling teams from area fire, police and EMT departments (entries being accepted; call Emily at 920-655-3445). The chefs will have 90 minutes to grill pork chops and a vegetable of their choice, then plate them and present them to judges. The competition starts at 2 p.m. July 10 in Exhibition Hall.

Be part of the show

There are several ways for fair goers to take part in the fair besides exhibiting an animal or craft. Or fair goers can sit back and watch the quirkiness and fun.

The Strut Your Mutt contest is a unique dog show that offers prizes for the tallest and shortest dogs and the one that performs the best tricks; a superhero costume contest for the dogs also is part of the event. It starts at 6:30 p.m. July 8 in Exhibition Hall. 

One of the popular annual events is the Crown and Sash Dash, a 5K run/walk for all ages at 8:30 a.m. July 9, starting and ending at the fairgrounds. As the title implies, participants are invited to don formal wear to run; it's not mandatory but prizes are awarded for best dressed male and female in four age groups. A Superhero Kids Run follows at 10 a.m. with the first 50 entrants receiving a cape and a medal. Proceeds go to the Kewaunee County Fairest of the Fair contest.

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For those not old enough to take part in the run/walk events, a Future Superheroes Diaper Derby will be held at 11:30 a.m. July 9 on the Family Stage in Exhibition Hall. Children younger than 16 months old compete in a crawling race from one coach to another at the other end of the track – the use of toys, pacifiers and other items to gain the kids' attention is allowed – and contestants are encouraged to dress as superheroes.

On July 10, an Open Speed Show begins at 9 a.m. with horses and riders in three age groups competing in 20 different classes. Entries are being accepted for this event, too.

Stages of shows

Live music plays throughout the fair on the Van's Lumber Midway Stage while entertainment for all ages will be on the Prevea Family Stage.

A variety of popular local and regional bands are on tap for the Midway Stage, including hard rock/metal cover bands like Cherry Pie and The Glam Band, country rock with Dexter Road and Stone Sober, popular local polka/dance band Sugarbush Boys and longtime popular Green Bay rock band Johnny Wad.

The Family Stage offers an educational Barnyard Adventure show each afternoon.

Dinner and a march

While not officially part of the fair, the Luxemburg Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring two of its traditional events to help people get into the spirit of the fair.

First, the public is invited as the chamber holds its Fair Kick Off Dinner on Tuesday, July 5, two nights before the opening, in the Midway Building at the fairgrounds. A social hour starts at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7. Admission is $15 per person, and tickets can be purchased by calling the chamber at 920-606-0311 or at local Nicolet National Bank and Bank of Luxemburg branches, including the bank station at Stodola's IGA.

Second, the chamber also sponsors the Kewaunee County Fair Parade at 11:30 a.m. July 10, the Sunday of the fair weekend, through downtown Luxemburg.

As noted, "Superheroes" is the theme of this year's parade – not just the familiar ones found in comic books and at the movies, but also local superheroes like the Unstoppable Tractor or the Reliable Dairyman, the chamber says. The route heads along Main Street and winds its way over to the fairgrounds. Businesses, organizations, farms and others are welcome to join the parade; there is no charge or advance registration. To enter the parade and be eligible for awards, line up behind Simonar's Shell on Main Street no later than 10 a.m.

For more on the dinner or parade, call 920-606-0311 or visit luxemburgchamber.com.

How to get in

The 105th annual Kewaunee County Fair takes place from Thursday through Sunday, July 7 to 10, at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds, 625 Third St., Luxemburg. Gates open at noon July 7, 9 a.m. July 8 and 9 and 10 a.m. July 10; the carnival opens at noon all four days. Single-day admission is $10 July 7-9 and free ($5 for carnival rides) July 10; $25 for all four days. Admissions include all grandstand events and midway entertainment. Parking is $5 daily or $10 for a season pass. 

For more information, call 920-845-9798; visit kewauneecountyfair.com or facebook.com/kewauneecountyfair; or email [email protected] A complete schedule is available on the website.

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-741-7952, 920-562-8900 or [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Rodeo, BMX stunt show are among the highlights of this year's Kewaunee County Fair