Observations of the Oldest County Fair in Minnesota

A successful 167^th Dodge County Fair is now in the books. We have no control over the weather conditions, but the temperatures cooperated very well. Ross, the fair vet, checked the barns each day, and animals did not have the heat stress issues that have happened some years.

It takes a lot of people to put on any event, and that is really true for the fair. The Fair Board members work all year long planning, lining up the sponsors, the vendors, the bands, supplies, and the grandstand shows. Folks that have been on the fair board in the past even help when they can.

It is really amazing how many businesses help sponsor the fair with their donations, and also for the 4-H and FFA ribbon auction raising over $80,000. The 4-H and FFA members and the fair share in the money from the auction. Dave Hanson, longtime resident and former Dodge County agent, has not missed a ribbon auction in all the years he has lived here.

Just to single out a few of the board members: Kelly and Julie (sisters) do much of the background work before the fair. They are busy mothers, but they were there each day getting the contests conducted, the little Red Barn operating, and keeping things running all day long.

Scott seems to be there all the time moving bleachers, setting up the livestock pens, putting the bedding in place, helping at the livestock shows, especially the hog judging, and then cleaning out the barns the morning after the fair ended. Larry was busy each day getting the track area ready for the grandstand show each evening.

Many changes occurred this year so people would ask where can I find the flowers, vegetables, and the commercial exhibits? The new Event Center was built just in time so it could be used for the Open Class entry day even though the bathrooms and kitchen area were not yet finished. The flowers, vegetables and FFA displays were moved to this building. Holy Family was excited to move into the former Creative Arts building to hold their bingo games. The sheriff dept uses this building to keep their equipment the remainder of the year. People could hear much better than their previous shelter location, and it had a great place for people to sit.

The Creative Arts, Foods, Clothing, Quilts, Photography, and Fine Arts were in the Pavilion wood floor building. Betty had a display of antiques among the exhibits plus there were historical photos, posters, and fair premium books from many past years. Several people mentioned they enjoyed roller skating in this building in their younger days.

A display of antique tractors took over the big building where the commercial exhibitors were for many years. Those displays moved to the ice arena when the ice was removed as this has not happened for many years. Electrical lines were put underground to comply with regulations plus new water lines and faucets were also added.

The 4-H building contained many great indoor gardening projects, photographs, and their food stand was busy. A wide variety of displays throughout the building with educational topics on many subjects were there. There was even a poster showing the process of how to butcher chickens!

Several shuttle drivers including Carol, Eileen, and Lenny were kept busy moving the visitors from the parking lot to where they wanted to go on the grounds or return to their cars when they were ready to go home.

The fair can be enjoyed by all ages and Friday was Senior Day with the free lunch at noon. Ninety-one-year-old Dick and Jan once again took part along with a large group of seniors listening to an old-time band playing polka music. The livestock shows fill up the bleachers for people watching the judging. Bill and Joan commented there are four generations of their family members that have now shown livestock at this fair. Ninety-one-year-old Margaret attended a couple of days with some of her children, grandchildren, and now great grandchildren showing various livestock in the arena. People watched music shows, eating contests, Mayors Milking Contest, Circus Science program, a church service at the Township Square and the bands playing at the Beer Garden in the evening

On Saturday afternoon, visitors walked along the street lined with food vendors and many were heading to the grandstand show while I watched sitting on a bench outside of the Creative Arts building. There were a lot of folks I did not know, but people came from many communities and especially to attend the grandstand shows which were well attended each night. The Kasson Legion Color Guard displayed the flags before each of the grandstand events. Sheriff Rose and his department members were very visible on the grounds each day.