UNION COUNTY FAIR BEGINS IN ANNA WITH PETS

ANNA, Ill., -- The threat of rain didn't keep away the crowds from the first day of the 116th Union County Fair in Anna, Ill., Sunday.

While workers were setting up the rides and preparing the grandstand for Tuesday night's rodeo and Friday's demolition derby, the Anna Rotary Club conducted the annual pet parade and contest.

This year's Union County Fair will be without the help of organizer Manul Goins, who ran the show for the past three years, Kay Bruckhauser said. But the Rotary Club has had little problem so far filling the fair's schedule of events:

Today

3 p.m. -- Junior tractor operators' contest in the infield

8 p.m. -- Queen pageant

Tuesday

10 a.m. -- 4-H livestock show

1 - 3 p.m. -- Livestock judging

1 p.m. -- Draft horse show

7:30 p.m. -- Championship rodeo

Wednesday

(Children's Day, children admitted free)

9 a.m. -- Junior swine and sheep judging

1 p.m. -- Junior livestock beef judging

3 p.m. -- Harness racing and mule racing

7 p.m. -- Tractor pull

Thursday

1 p.m. -- Junior livestock option

3 p.m. -- Harness racing and mule racing

8 p.m. -- Delisa Dawn Jones performs

Friday

3 p.m. -- Harness racing and mule racing

8 p.m. -- Demolition derby

Saturday

6 p.m. -- Racking Horse show

All day -- Discount rides