ADRIAN — The Lenawee County Fairgrounds are getting a major upgrade just in time for this year’s fair, which runs from July 20-26.

Thanks to the support of local businesses and community partners, a brand-new bandshell is being installed to host a lineup of free entertainment throughout the week.

A Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development grant awarded last year has helped fund much-needed roof replacements on the sheep and poultry barns, while renovations are underway at the beef barn and other livestock areas. Volunteers from the 4-H and FFA are hard at work giving the Show Barn a refreshed look, ensuring it’s ready to showcase this year’s animals in style.

Following the success of last year’s Frosty Cow entrance, a newly upgraded entrance near the Grandstand is being constructed.

Camping capacity is expanding too, with additional space being added to accommodate 4-H and FFA families.

This year will also bring more free entertainment, including chainsaw woodcarving every day and glassblowing and blacksmith demonstrations from Tuesday through Saturday. There will also be a Tuesday night drone show, and a mobile gaming trailer open all week.

The Eyes of Freedom traveling memorial will be at the fairgrounds from Tuesday though Saturday. This memorial tells the story of Lima Company, an Ohio-based Marine Reserve unit that lost 22 Marines and one Navy Corpsman while deployed to Iraq in 2005.

Live music at the Grandstand is being expanded this year. At the 2024 fair, a ’90s throwback concert brought live music back to the grandstand for the first time in several years. This year, there will be two musical offerings: a Midwest Tejano Showcase at 7 p.m. Tuesday featuring La Nueva Onda and Dezeo, and a country music concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday featuring Josh Ross and Preston Cooper.

Following is a partial schedule for the week. Events are in the bandshell unless otherwise noted.

Sunday, July 20

• 10 a.m.: Sand Creek Community Church Service.
• 1 p.m.: Lenawee County Fair Parade.
• 4 p.m.: Princess Walk.
• 6 p.m.: Earl Kelly Memorial Pull (in the Grandstand).
• 6:45 p.m.: Opening ceremony.
• 7 p.m.: Lenawee County Fair Queen contest.

Monday, July 21

• 5 p.m.: 4-H performing arts and project runway.
• 6 p.m.: Lenawee County celebrity pie eating contest.
• 7 p.m.: Music by Los Hermanos.
• 7 p.m.: Figure 8 Car and Truck Demo (in the Grandstand).

Tuesday, July 22

• 9 a.m.: 4-H Dog Show.
• 1 p.m.: Department on Aging.
• 2:30 p.m.: Granberry Jam.
• 4 p.m.: Elvis tribute.
• 5:30 p.m.: Warehouse Cloggers.
• 7 p.m.: Midwest Tejano Showcase with two live bands, La Nueva Onda and Dezeo (in the Grandstand).
• 7 p.m.: Adrian City Band.
• 8:30 p.m.: Tommy Sargent.

Wednesday, July 23

• 11 a.m.: Veterans luncheon program.
• 2:30 p.m.: Tropa de Niños Pequeños. 
• 4 p.m.: Queens talent review.
• 7 p.m.: T & Rich Dueling Pianos.
• 7 p.m.: Figure 8 Car and Truck Demo (in the Grandstand).

Thursday, July 24 

• 1 p.m.: Tecumseh String Studio.
• 3 p.m.: The Lawn Flamingos.
• 5 p.m.: Black Dragon’s Den.
• 7 p.m.: Stray Shot Band.
• 7:30 p.m.: Country Music Night with Josh Ross and Preston Cooper (in the Grandstand).

Friday, July 25

• 1 p.m.: 4-H Food Eating Contest.
• 3 p.m.: Berean Baptist Church.
• 5 p.m.: Bark’s Tales.
• 7 p.m.: Braxton Garza
• 7 p.m.: Diesel and Gas Truck Pull (in the Grandstand).

Saturday, July 26

• 1 p.m.: Adrian Junior Majorettes.
• 2:30 p.m.: Scot Kifer.
• 4 p.m.: MST Dance Studio.
• 5 p.m.: Bark’s Tales.
• 7 p.m.: Paisley Grace.
• 7 p.m.: Tuff Truck and Car Competition (in the Grandstand).

More fair notes

Fair parade: The Lenawee County Fair Parade begins at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 20 running through downtown on Maumee Street, then east to the fairgrounds.

Fair hours: Gate hours are from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day except Sunday. On Sunday, the hours are 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Admission: Daily admission is $7 (free for children ages 9 and under). A seven-pack of tickets is $35.

Ride hours: The Midway is closed Sunday and Monday. Rides will open on Tuesday at 5 p.m., and the rest of the week at 2 p.m.

Ride wristbands: Wristbands for unlimited rides all week are available for $85 during fair week, and $75 if purchased in advance.

One-day wristbands are available for $30 (plus $2 activation fee).

Special days: Tuesday is Senior Day, and senior citizens are admitted free. Wednesday is Veterans’ Day, and veterans are admitted free. Thursday is Kids’ Day, with $5 off daily wristband for rides.

The Lenawee County Fair is operated by the Agricultural Society of Lenawee County, a nonprofit organization.

The fairgrounds are at 602 N. Dean St., Adrian.

For more information about the fair, call 517-263-3007 or go to lenfair.com or facebook.com/lenfair.