Grandstand Events

Speed Committee: Roger Wilkin – 419-233-1067
Presiding Judge: Paul Combs – 419-733-5367
Starting Gates: Mike Woebkenberg
Charter: Julie De Mull – 248-396-8257
Clerk: Bill Peters – 614-984-9515
Photo Finish: Nash Photo Finish – 513-646-3976
Photographer: Brad Conrad Photo – 740-215-5765
Starter: Mike Woebkenberg – 937-313-2221
Announcer: Bill Peters – 614-984-9515

3 DAY BOX — Entries close at 10:00 AM
PARI-MUTUELS, PHOTO FINISH, CHARTED LINES
WE WILL HONOR THE OHHA PASSES ON RACE DATES.

Directions: Enter through Gate #5 on Fox Rd, west of 127

2023 Speed Office Hours:
Tuesday August 29, 8:00am – after races
Thursday August 31, 8:00am – after races
Monday September 4, 2023, 8:00 am – after races
Speed Office hours are subject to change

Tuesday August 29, 2023   |  Post Time 6:30pm

Entries close on Saturday August 26, 2023 @ 10:00am

Thursday August 31, 2023  |  Post Time 12:00pm

Entries Close on Monday August 28, 2023 @ 10:00am

Monday September 4, 2023   |  Post Time 11:30 am

Entries close on Friday, September 1, 2023 @ 10:00am

Conditions and Information

• All Entries close at 10:00 am three (3) days before scheduled race.
• Online entries @ www.ustrotting.com are encouraged.
• Telephone entries to OFRC Coordinator Bill Peters at
  614-984-9515 or 419-630-5952.
• Rain date is Friday, September 1st, 2023. Post time will be
  12 PM noon.
• No Lasix Veterinarian on the grounds. Lasix is the trainers responsibility.
• Current negative Coggins test is required.
• OSRC and USTA Rules to govern with exceptions. Rules of OFRC to govern Stake Races.
• Track scores six (6) wide. Stakes races split on nine (9). overnight and Signature Series split on ten (10) entries.
• The Signature Series & Ladies Driving Series will be raced under the published conditions.

• Entry Fees:
  • $100 per house for OFRC Stake Races
  • $100 per horse for Signature Series events
  • $35 per horse for overnight events
• Purse Distribution: 50% – 35% – 12% – 8% – 5%
• EIN or SSN for owners are required before any purse money
  will be paid.
• The Van Wert County Fair is not responsible for accidents
  on or off the track.
• The Van Wert County Fair reserves the right to postpone,
  declare off, change the program, or refuse any entry.
• OHHA membership card honored at gate on racing days only.
• On-Track Accident Insurance Policy in effect
• Trotting Track Record: Red Hot Herbie 1:59.2 (2014)
• Pacing Tract Record: J C 1:56.0 (2002)

Come out and support all the cheerleaders as they cheer their way through the night on the track to try and win the GOLD. Registration deadline is August 15th, 2023.

Ticket Prices

Cheer Competition Event Forms

• Event Flyer
• 2023 Invitational Letter
• 2023 Rules
• 2023 Application
• 2023 Music Copyright Form
• 2023 Athletic Insurance Waiver

ABOUT CONFEDERATE RAILROAD

Confederate Railroad first rolled onto the national country music scene in the early 90s with its unique style and sound.

Headed by founder and frontman Danny Shirley, the former backup band for both David Allan Coe and Johnny Paycheck got their big break by signing with Atlantic Records. The first single from their debut album (“Confederate Railroad”) was “She Took It Like A Man”. It went to No. 26, a preview of what was to come. “The next two singles, “Jesus and Mama” and “Queen of Memphis” went to the top of the charts. Three more huge hits followed, “Trashy Women”, “When You Leave That Way You Can Never Go Back”, and “She Never Cried”. “Trashy” would lead to a Grammy nomination and become their signature song. That album with six hits and nearly three million sales brought Confederate the Academy of Country Music’s Best New Group Award in 1993 as well as numerous nominations from the Country Music Association and the British Country Music Foundation.

The second album, “Notorious”, produced one of the group’s most popular songs “Daddy Never Was the Cadillac Kind” which became a No. One video as well. “Elvis and Andy” and “Summer in Dixie” would further establish the Railroad as one of the most versatile acts in the business. This album would sell more than one million. Their overal totals are 18 charted hits and five million albums sold.

From rowdy country to raw emotion, a Confederate Railroad concert today covers a wide range of feelings. Young people will be there rocking to “Trashy Women”, while their parents and even grandparents will likely be singing along to “Jesus and Mama”. The band plays 100 or so dates each year. Whatever the venue, they are right at home…be it a fair, a club, or a biker show. Shirley, the lead singer and vocalist, and his mates, Mark Dufresne on drums, Mo Thaxton on bass and vocals, Rusty Hendrix on lead guitar and Joey Recker on keyboards and vocals are obviously having fun right along with their appreciative audience. At the end of each show, the band stays around until every fan who wants an autograph, or to pose with the group for a picture or just say “hello” is taken care of.

CHOOSING YOUR SEAT

VETERANS CAN ENJOY THE CONCERT FOR FREE

The Van Wert County Agricultural Society is honored to offer this concert as FREE to all Veterans (with form of veterans identification).

Van Wert County Veterans can secure their free ticket by visiting the Fair office at 1055 S. Washington St, Van Wert, OH 45891 by May 31st with appropriate veteran identification to secure their choice seating.

Starting June 1, 2023, ticket sales and availability will be open to outside community veterans and the general public. Veterans tickets are free. Tickets are $10 each for general admission or $15.00 each for track seating. Our track seating ticket holders are advised to bring their own lawn chair to fully enjoy the concert. Tickets can be bought online or in person by visiting the Van Wert County Fair office at 1055 S. Washington Street, Van Wert, OH 45891. Helpful tip: Select your desired seats from the seat map. Be sure to double check your seat placement when buying tickets online to ensure that all of your seats are in the same section.

ADMISSION

Event tickets **do not** include gate admission to the fair. Admission can be purchased online or paid at the gate day of event. Daily admission is $10.00. Thursday, August 31, 2023 is Veterans Day at the Fair. All Veterans will get in free during Veterans Day at the Fair.

Veterans seeking tickets can visit our office Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. The Van Wert County Fair is the only ticket resource for this concert. No outside tickets will be accepted. If you have questions or concerns about your ticket purchase, contact us at 419-238-9270.

This event is sponsored in part by the Van Wert County Veterans Commission.

Ohio State Tractor Pullers has over 50 years of success with sanctioned pulling events. OSTPA has active members from every part of Ohio. It is made up of eight local clubs: Central Ohio, Mid-Ohio, North Central, North Eastern, Northwestern, Richland TNT, Scioto River Valley, and Southern Ohio.

Ohio State Tractor Pullers is a member organization of the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League (PPL) and follows its safety rules and regulations which govern all participants at OSTPA sanctioned events.

• LIMITED PRO DIESEL TRUCKS
• LIGHT LIMITED PRO STOCK TRACTORS
• SUPER MODIFIED 4WD PICKUP TRUCKS
• PRO STOCK TRACTORS
• PRO STOCK SEMIS

Ticket Prices

Lead Sponsor:

Additional Sponsors:

Van Wert Live along with Presenting Sponsor, Jim and Mary Pope, announce the 2023 Grandstand Concert featuring two Country headliners rocking the Van Wert stage, The Eli Young Band and Jana Kramer. These Country greats will light up The Grandstand during the Van Wert County Fair on Saturday, September 2 at 7:30 p.m.  Van Wert’s own celebrity, Allie Clifton will emcee the event which will be a Labor Day weekend sensation at The Van Wert County Fair. Kenn-Feld Group is the Supporting sponsor for the double-feature night of Country.

The Eli Young Band is unique in modern Country music as a true band of brothers who play their own instruments, write their own songs, and cling fast to their Texas roots. In their new release, “Love Talking,” they embrace what makes them different once and for all.

The trailblazing group produced Billboard’s No. 1 Country Song of the Year and ACM Award for Song of the Year “Crazy Girl,” plus racked up over 2 billion streams to earn Pandora Billionaire status. Multiple CMA, CMT, ACA, and Teen Choice Award nominations along with over 3 billion streams of their career catalog offer an undeniable testament to EYB’s unique connection with fans. Even through sonic evolutions and changes to the Country industry, their obsessive following has continued to grow.

Mike Eli founded the band with guitarist James Young, bassist Jon Jones and drummer Chris Thompson at the University of North Texas in 2000, steadily building a grassroots fanbase that propelled four No. 1 singles and gave the band an edgy, romantically-charged identity (4X PLATINUM “Crazy Girl,” 2X PLATINUM “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” and PLATINUM “Love Ain’t” and “Drunk Last Night “).

What they’re good at has always been the same – organic, live-show-focused Country dripping with authenticity and perfected in sold-out clubs, amphitheaters, and stadiums coast-to-coast. Confident in their soulful, hearts-on-fire brand of Country, the title track of their forthcoming album is impacting Country radio and playlists now as they head out on a 51-city tour of the same name. EYB has also shared the stage with Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Chris Young, Darius Rucker and Dave Matthews Band, plus performed on national television shows such as TODAY, Conan, Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and FOX & Friends.

Headlining partner Jana Kramer is an actress, ACM award-winning country music singer, and a New York Times best-selling author. She is known for her role as Alex Dupre on the television series One Tree Hill, and made her acting debut in an independent horror film Dead/Undead. The following year, Kramer made a guest appearance on All My Children, marking her television debut.

Kramer has since continued to guest star on a number of television shows including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, CSI: NY, and recurring roles on NBC’s Friday Night Lights, CW’s 90210, and HBO’s dramedy television series Entourage, while simultaneously pursuing her film career starring in “Country Crush,” 20th Century Fox’s “Heart of the Country,” Hallmark Channel’s “Love at First Bark”, Lifetime’s “Christmas in Mississippi” and “A Welcome Home Christmas.” Jana’s upcoming Lifetime film, “The Holiday Fix Up” debuts this December.

Kramer began her musical career in 2012 with the release of her self-titled debut album, Jana Kramer, which was followed by her sophomore album, Thirty-One, in 2015. Seven of her singles charted on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay, including the top 10 platinum-selling hits “Why Ya Wanna” and “I Got the Boy.” Kramer went on to win ‘New Female Vocalist of the Year’ at the 2012 Academy of Country Music awards and in 2015 was nominated for ‘Best Female Vocalist of the Year’ at the ACMs.

Eli Young Band

Jana Kramer

A Bar Rodeo Productions was formed in 1994 as a family business dedicated in providing family entertainment owned by Patrick and Mary Ayers of Bluffton, Ohio. Active in the sport for over 25 years. A Bar has the livestock, equipment, and professional personnel necessary to produce quality Rodeos and Bull Rides to fit any needs. 

A Bar Rodeo Productions offer professional, fast-paced, high-speed competition from cowboys and cowgirls. A Bar is able to attract the type of cowboys and cowgirls that your crowd will enjoy watching. Not only that, but the Ayers family will hire some of the country’s best acts and personnel that will keep the show running smoothly and informatively!

Ticket Info

Lead Sponsor:

Classes

• Open $
• 250 A / 250 B / 250 C
• 450 A / 450 B / 450 C
• 25+ VET
• School Boy
• College Boy
• 2 Stroke
• Womens
• 85 Open
• 50 Jr/50 Sr
• 50 Shaft/50 Open
• 65 Open

PIT BIKES

• Open $
• Stock Mod
• Stock 110
• 35+/Heavyweight
• Womens
• Trail Bike
• Youth
• Stacy C
• Stock Limited

Pedal to the floor, till she won’t go no more. Come on out to see who is the last car running. A great experience and fun time for all family and friends.

Event Details

• Event Flyer
• Entry Form
• Derby Rules

Ticket Info

Event Sponsor: