CASSOPOLIS — The opening ceremonies at this year’s Cass County Fair begin at 5 p.m. on Sunday, but community members can partake in fair festivities as early as tomorrow evening.

“We try to provide entertainment for people no matter what their level of income is,” said Gail Peterson, the fair board president. “The fair is just something a lot of people look forward to year after year. Some people come for the rides, and that’s their main thing. Some people just come to check it out and see their friends. It’s a big deal to the youth.”

Through this Sunday, the fair is free to enter, and after that it costs $7 for adults, $2 for children between the ages of 6 and 12 and $1 for children younger than six.

There are days where certain people can get in for free, such as on Wednesday, Aug. 1. when there is no charge for members of law enforcement. From noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, it costs $1 to enter.

“Throughout the week, there’s ride specials and food specials,” Peterson said. “We try to do it so if somebody wants to come several days and ride the rides, they can do that. But if you’re on limited income, then we still try to have something to reach the community because that’s what we feel like Cass County is.”

The first two events are the Youth Light Horse Driving Classes at 5:30 p.m. and the Youth Dog Agility competition at 6 p.m.

“The dogs go through tubes and teeter-totters and all that stuff,” Peterson said. “On Saturday, there’s another dog show that’s showmanship and obedience, where dogs are trained.”

Rides officially open at 5 p.m. Monday, July 30, and run through Saturday, Aug. 4.

Armbands cost $14 on Monday. On Tuesday is “Kiddies Day,” where children can get armbands for $10. From Wednesday through Friday, armbands cost $20, but there are $3 coupons available at businesses throughout Cass County for those days. Saturday is dollar day, where rides also cost $1 from noon to 6 p.m., or an armband costs $20.

“If you’re someone who wants to ride the rides day after day, we have three-day passes or an all-week pass,” Peterson said. “If you come and you get a wristband, you can ride the rides all week long. Some people really like that.”

Mega pass deals are $35 for three-day passes and $55 for six-day passes. All passes are available at the fair office.

Throughout the week, events will be going on as well.

“A couple of the things that are different this year are the entertainment that’s free and goes on in the afternoon,” Peterson said. “This year we have the alligator show. People come from Florida and they have a big alligator farm down there and they bring live alligators. Then we have a radio controlled auto racing. The other show is one that we have every year for the younger kids. It’s call Nick’s Kid Shows.”

Some of the more popular grandstand events are the Demolition Derby on Thursday, Aug. 2, the SJO Moto Cross on Friday, Aug. 3 and Monster Trucks on Saturday, Aug. 4.

“The monster truck show is likely to sell out,” Peterson said. “You can go online and reserve tickets.”

A new event this year is a performance by the musical group Drake White and the Big Fire. The show will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1. Grandstand tickets for this event are $15, and track tickets are $20.

Throughout the week there will be 4-H and agriculture-related events, which Peterson says is a major draw for people who did not grow up on a farm.

Many of the usual food vendors will be back, including the Fireman’s Grill, which is run by Cass County Firemen.

“When it comes to the fair food, for some people that’s all they talk about,” Peterson said. “New for fair food is we’re going to have a new guy that’s bringing cinnamon rolls. If you’re there for a show or a long period of time, there’s several permanent restaurant buildings where they have more substantial food.”

For more information regarding the Cass County Fair or its events, visit MyCassCountyFair.com or call (269) 445-8265.