Fair board president Tony Zimmerman, right, and fair queen contestants, from left, third runner-up Miranda Domiano, second runner-up Tiffany Hertel, Miss Teen Loren Brown and queen Hannah Parker, cut the ribbon to officially declare this year’s fair open Sunday evening.

Animals are in the barns and corn dogs have been fried: The 2014 Kosciusko County Fair is officially open.

Following the annual fair parade, which went off without a hitch this afternoon, fair officials introduced members of the fair board, expressed thanks to those involved in setting up the event and held a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:50 p.m. Sunday evening.

Although skies were overcast, rain held off while fairgoers toured the animal barns and browsed a display of antique tractors. By early evening that display even included a partially restored, running 1912 Avery under-mount steam engine, brought in by Jerry LeCount of Nappanee.

Employees of Mid-America Shows, meanwhile, unfolded tents and heavy equipment on the midway in the hope of having rides and games ready by Monday.

Other events to look forward to on Monday will include an IPRA rodeo, horse and pony contesting classes, a demonstration of the steam engine and more. By Tuesday a petting zoo and a tiger show are scheduled to have arrived, and activities and concerts are packed into the remainder of the week. The 2014 Kosciusko County Community Fair runs through Saturday, July 12.

For more events and times, click HERE.

(Gallery photos by Jodi Magallanes, Carl Lauster and Stacey Page)