Boone County’s annual 4‑H Fair at the Lebanon City fairgrounds will run July 19–20, with a tractor pull and queen program taking place the night before on July 18, fair board president Morgan Blackwell and 4‑H educator Stephanie Gay told the Love in Lebanon podcast in a special edition recorded on site.

The preview emphasized free admission and parking, family-focused programming and a schedule of ticketed North Track events. "Boone County is still a free fair. You don't have to pay for parking," said Morgan Blackwell, fair board president. "Our goal ... is just to touch as many community members as we can." The episode outlined a mix of agricultural exhibits, live music, youth activities and motorsports that organizers say are intended to reach residents across Boone County.

Organizers said the fair is volunteer driven and takes months to plan. Blackwell said planning begins the previous September and involves committees for entertainment, children's activities and North Track events. Stephanie Gay, Boone County 4‑H educator, said the county’s 4‑H program has expanded its outreach this year: "We had a 155% new members in 4‑H this year than we had last year," she said, adding that total membership remained about the same while many new participants joined.

Event highlights provided on the podcast include a tractor pull July 18, a rodeo Sunday at 6 p.m., KY drag/ATV racing Monday, barrel-racing events Tuesday–Wednesday, the carnival from Wednesday through Saturday and a demolition derby that closes North Track events Friday or Saturday night. Organizers also noted free family offerings including nightly live music at the Lily Family Pavilion, foam parties, a young McDonald's Farm petting area, touch‑a‑truck and touch‑a‑tractor activities and wood-carving demonstrations with pieces auctioned afterward.

The fair board and extension office said accessibility measures include free shuttle carts to move visitors between parking and the Horse Arena, North Track and other barns. Blackwell credited local facility staff and volunteers—"Matt and Jack have just been awesome"—for behind-the-scenes work to set up the fairgrounds.

Organizers described a broad volunteer and sponsor network that covers awards, trophies and many program costs. Gay said Boone County’s program includes more than 170 adult volunteers and more than 60 project areas that run year-round, giving youth options from entomology to baking and woodworking. She encouraged families concerned about cost to contact the extension office for assistance: "If funding isn't an obstacle for them, we have opportunities to help with that."

The podcast also noted that the carnival returned to the fairgrounds in 2024 and will be present again this year. Several speakers stressed the fair’s community role—bringing residents from Zionsville, Jamestown and other parts of Boone County together for a mix of agricultural exhibits, entertainment and family activities. Blackwell and Gay urged first-time visitors to attend and encouraged youth to consider 4‑H projects for hands-on learning and long-term social connections.

The episode concluded by reminding listeners that many county fair projects advance to the Indiana State Fair; organizers noted that state fair admission and parking require fees. The Boone County 4‑H Fair itself, they reiterated, remains free to enter and park.