At the Grandstands   

                                                            Thurs., Aug. 12 ..........Modified Tractor/Truck Pull        7 p.m.

                                                            Fri., Aug. 13.....................Tractor/Truck Pull                  7 p.m.

                                                            Sat., Aug. 14......................Draft Horse Pull                   4 p.m.

                                                            Sat., Aug. 14....................Demolition Derby                  7 p.m.

        Free Entertainment at the Fair

                                                                                                             

Comedy Safari Show

Zerbini Family Circus 
                                                                                                           
                                           Birds are for everyone!
With this in mind, come prepared to enjoy a fun-filled time when Mark Preston and his Comedy Safari Show entertain you.
Mark and his Macaws and Mollucan Cockatoos will bring magic and tricks to rival any bird show in the country. The Macaws and Cockatoos talk, play dead, ride radio controlled cars, and make kids squeal with delight! You will witness demonstrations like Mark Preston balancing a bite-sized wedge of cantaloupe between his thumb and forefinger and a large blue and gold macaw on his opposite wrist. The parrot will respond on cue a “Hello,” “Want some, want some,” before biting into the melon with a big hooked bill.
“Those beaks are very intense. They can snap tree limbs, crack the hardest nuts, even bit your finger off,” explains Preston, and he should know. The Denver based magician, animal trainer, and creator of the Comedy Safari Show is the proud proprietor of an aviary of seven macaws and mollucan cockatoos, with names like Chico, Mortikai, Sammy, Romeo, P.J., Austin, and Aristotle. The comedy Safari is part of the Richland County Fair this year. If you have not been to Parrot Jungle in Florida lately, then you will be thrilled with this wonderful show.
What makes this show so special is two things. First, it is more than a bird show with magic. It invites audience participation and features daring whip tricks. Second, all the animals have been rescued from Humane Societies across the state of Colorado where the Prestons are from. All of these birds were homeless and unwanted before they found new beginnings in the Comedy Safari Show.
“These are my partners. I have rescued and fallen in love with all of them,” said Preson.
So this year when you are at the fair, be sure to catch the Comedy Safari Show for big laughs and fun for your entire family. They will be appearing on a daily basis. Check with the fair office for a complete schedule of times and location.
         
 As it is known today, The Zerbini Family Circus under the Big Top started in the U.S.A. in 1992.
Before that time, the Zerbini family of circus performers and owners go back over a century. Originating in France, the Zerbini’s owned circuses throughout Europ and Africa. Julian Zerbini brought his family to America in 1968, working as a high wire artist in all the top name circuses.
Unfortunately in 1991 there was an accident. A faulty wire snapped and family member Alain fell to the circus ring 40 feet below and was told by doctors he would never walk again. True to his nature, he spent time in rehabilitation, opened the Alain Zerbini Circus and managed to return to performing. What was once a small tent seating 500 people has grown to a new red and white big top with an audience capacity of just over 1000.
Viewing the circus show today, you may see Alain Zerbini performing aerial acts, balancing acts, and his favorite animal acts. The circus travels eight months a year and is a favorite at many county fairs. Returning again by popular demand to the Richland County Fair, shows will be performed daily. The show changes in its entirety every year to bring fresh entertainment to its crowds. This is one clean show, family friendly and open to all fair visitors.
Acts will include wacky circus clowns, head balancing presented by the Rosales Family, juggling by Ossie Sanchez, and trampoline tricks by the Bouncing All Stars.
Call the fair office at 419-747-3717 for times and location or visit online at ww.richlandcountyfair.com