Racine County Fair extravaganza begins!

A well-stocked shelf of canned produce is a feast for the eyes.

And so it begins, the annual extravaganza of canned fruits, lovingly-raised livestock, crafts, tractor pulls, county fair food, music and gee-gaws... and so many more relics of a simpler age. All topped by the appearance of country singer Sara Evans Saturday night.

The Racine County Fair today officially opens its five-day run in Union Grove, with something -- many things! -- for everyone. And the best part, nostalgia for what once was, is free. All the rest -- well, admission is $8 a day for adults. (Bring two non-perishable items, and get $2 off the admission price until 3 p.m. today.)

Full Fair schedule here.
More pictures of the early 4-H judging are here.

Two Pekin drakes quench their thirst on this hot summer day. Their
owner is Mindy Oberhart, 12, of the Cloverview 4-H club of Sturtevant.

Lindsay Woelbing recognizes the face of Rachel Rushing,
a Union Grove classmate who lost her battle with cancer
on April 8, 2008, in a newsprint collage by Emily Helbling
of Sturtevant. It won a first-place ribbon.

Rylee Chart, 12, of the Cloverview 4-H club, discussed her drawings
with Tom Nowak. This one won a 2nd place ribbon.

Jeff Vogtshaller gives Samantha Ball, 16, of the Kan-Do 4-H club,
kudos for her 1st place photo.

After the seemingly endless flow of photographs was judged,
Will Meinke mounted them securely to the display wall.

T-shirt booth took shape the day before the fair opened.