The Morton County Fair and Achievement Days turns 50 this year.

The 50th annual Morton County Fair is scheduled from Thursday, Aug. 5, to Sunday, Aug. 8. The four-day event is set to take place at the Morton County Fairgrounds, located in New Salem.

A number of events will highlight the county fair, including a Friday and Saturday night rodeo, livestock judging, an antique tractor pull and a street dance on Friday and Saturday, in addition to live music daily and several games and events for children.

Thursday, Aug. 5, will kick off with General 4-H Achievement Day, with a 4-H horse show set for 10 a.m. and the public display of exhibits beginning at 1 p.m. that day.

On Friday, Aug. 6, the NDRA Rodeo will begin at 6:30 p.m., which will feature mutton busting. Admission to the rodeo is $6 for seniors and students and $8 for adults. A Friday night dance will take place from 8 p.m. to midnight with the music of Rock Creek.

Saturday, Aug. 7, will include a barrel racing competition at 11 a.m. and a tractor pull at 1 p.m. Live music and a variety of entertainment from several area acts, including The Old Five and Dimers and Marv & The Moonlighters, will take place throughout the day. A chicken supper is set to take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The second night of the NDRA Rodeo will continue that night at 6:30 p.m. A Saturday night dance will be held from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., with the music group Thunder Road proving the entertainment.

The final day of the county fair, Sunday, Aug. 8, will begin with live musical acts all day, and a Morton County Power Pull event set to start at 1 p.m.

Learn more about the Morton County Fair online at co.morton.nd.us.

-Brian L. Gray