When the Montgomery County Fair needed a theme for this year’s event, the Junior Fair Board came to the rescue.

The 24-member board of high school and college students came up with the theme, “Sew It, Grow It and Show It,” for the 76th annual event, which officially began on July 17 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds and will run through July 22.

“We had a list compiled of theme ideas,” said Chasity Lichtenberg, secretary of the Montgomery County Fair Board. “They chose the one that they felt best conveyed the plans for this year.”

The Junior Fair Board includes Allison Boedges, Amelia Uthlaut, Annie Robinson, Braden Schutt, Brayden Harris, Brayden Rose, Carie Schroer, Cora Johnson, Derrick Cobb, Elizabeth Mueller, Gracie Cobb, Josh Gilbert, Kadyn Schmidt, Lexy Veach, Libby Kleinsorge, Machaela Wehrle, Macy Bader, Maddi Poage, Madison Coleman, Malerie Schutt, Molly Causey, Presley Schluss, Ray Poston and Shea Stille.

The Junior Fair Board was added last year to help out with the day-to-day operations at the fair. The group held a Blacklight Bingo fundraising event in April at the Merchants Building.

At 6 p.m. on July 21, the Junior Fair Board is holding the Battle of the Chapters event at the Livestock Arena, which will include FFA and 4-H chapters. Events will include water balloon races, chicken with an egg, hula-hoop train, tug-of-war and sack races.

“We would not be where we are without the Junior Fair Board,” Lichtenberg said. “It’s amazing to see all of their ideas and their hard work come to life.”

The fair began on July 17 with the Little Mr. and Miss Contest and the Queen Pageant. A parade was held the following day in Montgomery City.

Among the other big events at the fair within the next four days include the junior livestock auction at 7 p.m. on July 20 at the Livestock Arena, the Truck and Tractor Pull at 7 p.m. on July 21 and the baby show at 8:30 a.m. on July 22 at the Family Fun Center.

Lichtenberg said there will be several new programs in this year’s fair, including a ceramic event that is called Mary’s Mudd at 6 p.m. on July 19 at the Family Fun Center. The Junior Fair Board is in charge of that event.

“We always try to keep something new and entertaining coming each year,” Lichtenberg said. “We will be hosting a Figure 8 Race, a family fun night featuring a meet and greet with princesses and superheroes, a pirate ship, photo booth and an escape room. We also have the Comedy Circus show performing all week as well.”

Lichtenberg said all of the board members worked on a camping project that will have 20 additional spots, most of them are sold out. Litchtenberg said Josh Johnson helped with the project.

“Josh Johnson is a friend of the fair,” Lichtenberg said. “He is a local gentleman who donates a lot of his time, effort and resources for the camping area at the fairgrounds to help the Fair Board out.”

Jordan Oden, Joe Oden and Alan Schluss are new members to the Senior Fair Board this year.