And What A Fair It Was

The 160th-annual Dodge County Fair attracted the masses - hundreds of people eager for fun and food here in high summer in good ol’ southeast Minnesota.
Holy cow, the fun: from 4-H judging and bull-riding to hot music to a demolition derby to the talent show, milkshake shoot-out, all those carnival rides, and displays by people like Roger Abrahamson, the old-time bowl-turner.
And, oh, man, the food: from hot and fabulous mini-doughnuts to foot- long hot dogs to pulled pork sandwiches to corn dogs to sweet corn and ... the list seems endless.
In the middle of it all, in the heat of Saturday afternoon, you had retro music by The Rares. The Twin Cities-based band features young guys including the drummer, Kasson native Zakh Peterson.

Peterson said he has always enjoyed the Dodge County Fair – and he appreciated Saturday’s audience as The Rares played classic tunes by Creedence Clearwater Revival and others.
“This one’s always great,” he said. “They know this music.”
Kudos to those behind the scenes.
They kept things going through heavy rain, a tornado warning, drenching humidity, and muck and mire, and were rewarded Sunday with a beautiful last day of the Fair.
Fair president Marilyn Lermon, among the many humble stalwarts, said they just do their best to keep the great event great.
“I think things went pretty good for enduring the weather and stuff,” she said. “You just take things as they go and keep changing your plans and improvising, and do whatever you can do to solve the problems and stuff. I’ve got some good help. Everybody pitches in. It gets done.”

There you go. That’s why the Fair is what it is – one of the state’s best.
These folks might not get noticed, so here’s to the Fair Board and all those volunteers who persevered when things did not look so hot.
They are quality people, blessed with an amazing work ethic.
Thanks for all you do, for helping to create great memories. We see you back there, working your magic.
All we can say is, Thank you, thank you, thank you.