Ferris wheel lights are part of a colorful nighttime display put on by the midway rides at the 2009 Emmet/Charlevoix County Fair.
As always the half way point of the annual week long Emmet-Charlevoix County Fair was celebrated with kids day. Midway rides, the lamb show, a dog agility show and a visit from the rodeo were just some of the Wedensday events that drew families looking for a little fun from across the two county area.
Fair goers scream and yell as they enjoy one of the midway rides at the 2009 Emmet/Charlevoix County Fair.
2005 Miss Rodeo Michigan Katie Ervay of Shelby, Michigan rides with the American flag during the opening of the Excalibur Rodeo at the 2009 Emmet/Charlevoix County Fair.
One of the most popular of the weeks grandstand activities the Excalibur Rodeo's variety of events and entertainment provided competitors from throughout the state, including several local residents, the opportunity to compete for an appreciative crowd and cash prizes in bull riding and barrel racing events.
Tim Murlow of Brown City, MI rides in the first round of the Excalibur Rodeo bull riding competitiion at the 2009 Emmet/Charlevoix County Fair.
Pitting their skills and 100 something pound bodies against the bucking and twisting of the approximately one ton animals that make up the Excaliburs stock selection several local competitors took place in the bull riding event. At the end of the day though it was Brown City's Tim Murlow that managed to make two complete eight second rides to take home the top prize.
Petoskey's Justin Archy makes an early dismount during the Excalibur Rodeo bull riding competitiion at the 2009 Emmet/Charlevoix County Fair.
Cheryl Lenneman of Petoskey, who had the crowd holding their breath when she slightly overshot her stop and hit the arena fencing, was the only local competitor in the barrel racing event. The 13.3 second ride of former Miss Rodeo Michigan Katie Ervay of Shelby, MI would prove impossible to top for the Lennehan and the field of nine other ladies who entered the event.
Cheryl Lenneman of Petoskey makes a wide turn during the Excalibur Rodeo barrel racing competitiion at the 2009 Emmet/Charlevoix County Fair.
The loudest cheers of the night were given up for local 4-H riders who got the chance to try their luck steering their horses through the cloverleaf barrel racing course between events. Rider almost brought the house down as he fearlessly charged through the barrels turning a sub 20 second time.
A complete schedule for the remaining days of the fair can be found on-line at http://www.emmet.mi.us/fair/
