MARTINSVILLE, ILL. — The 2012 Martinsville Agricultural Fair promises to be one on the biggest events of the summer in South Central Illinois.

“We’re excited to once again offer free carnival rides with a $5 gate admission. Parents and grandparents love being able to see the children enjoy the State Fair quality rides all evening long for a cost of only $5,” Fair President Gale Kannmacher said. The free carnival rides will be running Monday through July 14, starting at 6 p.m. (CDT) each evening.

Also, the Martinsville Ag Fair offers nightly entertainment in front of the grandstands, afternoon horse racing and a wide selection of fair food and midway entertainment.

The Fair will kick off on Saturday with Elevate 2012, a music festival featuring three nationally-known bands in the contemporary Christian music world. This will be an outdoor festival and attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Free bounce houses will be available for the children to enjoy.

Kutless will be headlining the evening. They have nine albums and have been nominated for nine Dove Awards. Their music appeals to a broad audience and their latest album “Believer” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart. Josh Wilson was named ASCAP Christian Songwriter/Artist of the Year in March 2012. His tremendous talent is evident in his playing of 18 different instruments in his latest album “See you.” For King & Country was recognized by Billboard Magazine as the “new artists to watch” for 2012. For King & Country released their debut album, “Crave,” in February 2012 and it hit No. 2 on the I-tunes top Christian and Gospel Albums the day it was released. Terrace Lake Worship, of Columbus, Ind., will open the Elevate 2012 Festival.

Each band will play a full concert set. Gates will open at 4 p.m. with Terrace Lake Worship opening at 5 p.m. Tickets for Elevate are $5 for children 3-10 and $15 for ages 11 and up. For details about Elevate 2012 visit elevatmartisville.com.

A great line-up of entertainment is scheduled for each night of the fair. All nightly shows in front of the grandstand will start at 7 p.m.

In keeping with the Fair’s tradition, a community service will be on Sunday evening.

Monday will feature the truck pull.

Tuesday will have the C-Bar Rodeo. The rodeo will provide an evening of bull riding, barrel racing and bareback riding. Those interested in trying their rodeo skills will have the opportunity to compete.

Wednesday will feature Flat Track Drag Racing and Lawn Mower Demolition. Competitors will drag race on the dirt track in front of the grandstands. Any licensed driver can enter to compete. There will be classes for any mode of transportation (cars, trucks, semis, ATVs, motor bikes, lawnmowers, snow mobiles, etc.) In vying for the “King of the Hill” title, this will lead to competition between the genders, young and old, motor bikes competing against trucks and cars and maybe even semis. The lawn mower demolition is a fast-growing sport and last year was a crowd favorite event.

On July 12, check out the Barnyard Scramble. This ever-popular event with children, parents, grandparents, and friends always provides thrills and cheers from the spectators. There will be scrambles of bunnies and chicks for the younger children and pigs and goats for the older children. Entries for the scramble events must be made at the secretary’s office on the Fairgrounds during the week of the fair, but no later than 4 p.m. July 12.  

Motocross Racing is planned for July 13. There also will be a “dash for cash” event.

Closing out the Fair on July 14 will be the Demolition Derby and fireworks.

Horse racing, a tradition of the Martinsville Fair, is scheduled for Tuesday through Friday afternoons, starting at 1 p.m. each day. Harness racing will be featured Tuesday through Thursday, with the Great Midwest Trot and Pace running on Thursday afternoon. Friday will feature thoroughbred racing.  

In addition to the evening programs and afternoon horse racing, visitors will be able to enjoy other traditional fair activities.  

Again this year, attendees can check out the “Church Tent” on the east end of the Midway, where local musicians and performers will present their programs from 6 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. The churches providing entertainment will be: Monday: Martinsville Methodist Church; Tuesday: Martinsville Bible Church; Wednesday: Willow Creek Cumberland Presbyterian; July 12: Island Grove Baptist Church; July 13: First Baptist Church of Casey; and July 14: Moriah Church of God.

Join in the MAF 5-K Fitness af‘FAIR’ on the morning of July 14 with registration at 7 a.m. and the race starting at 8 a.m.

This is a walk/run for all levels of competitors as well as those who just want to come out and enjoy the morning with friends and family.

For information on how to enter the Flat Track Drags, Lawn Mower and Auto Demolition Derbies as well as the Motocross, contact T. E. Promotions at (812) 689-1046 or (812) 871-7728 or visit kingofthe

derbies.com.

For more general information about the Fair visit martinsvilleagfair.com.