County Fair concludes, more fun coming up

The 166th Dodge County Free Fair is now history and from all observations it looks like a success. No official attendance figures have been released yet, but the grounds always seemed full of people.
Aside from some hazy, smoke-smelling skies on a couple of days thanks to those fires in Canada the weather was great, not too hot but not too chilly.
Yes, we can definitely stand some rain as we have now moved into moderate drought conditions, but no one really wanted a repeat of what happened a few years ago when Grandstand shows had to be cancelled and a Saturday morning storm caused damage throughout the grounds.
The younger set was out in force on Kid’s Day and numerous local day care centers could be seen traveling as a group across the grounds. The Little Farmers Barn was again a big attraction.
Senior citizens enjoyed their day too with a free lunch and free musical entertainment.
The Dodge County Fair is still primarily an agricultural fair with 4-H, FFA and open class livestock entries the major attraction for many. And, of course, the 4-H building also houses a variety of projects from 4-H members that are not livestock related.
The 4-H food stand was busy every noon when I stopped by and if lines are any indication the Dodge County Dairy Association stand selling milk shakes and malts is always popular.
I stopped by the malt stand one morning before it opened to ask how much ice cream they actually went through in a week. I learned that they get the ice cream mix in cases that includes two big bags per box. The day before, I was told they had gone through 22 cases. In 2022 the association ordered 90 cases of mix and ran out Sunday morning. They ordered more for this year’s fair but apparently still ran out later on Sunday.
The stand is manned during the fair by 4-H and FFA members, dairy farmers and friends who volunteer.
In short, the fair board is to be congratulated on pulling off another successful event.
Last Saturday afternoon was also the time for the artists reception for the Larger than Life display at Riverside Park in Mantorville. The artwork will be on display through September 1 so even if you did not get a chance to meet the artists you can still view their artwork.
Also not to be forgotten is the Good Neighbor Days events in Byron.
But if you are worried that there is nothing to do for the rest of the summer, don’t despair.
This week head over to West Concord for Survival Days. Activities get started Thursday night at the softball field on Highway 56 as Dodge County law enforcement members take on county firefighters and EMTs in a charity softball game.
It always draws a crowd and I’m not sure what they enjoy the most, the game or the bantering that goes on between the two teams. About the middle of the evening they pass a firefighters’ boot among the crowd with all donations going to mental health and suicide prevention programs. This year the game starts at 7 p.m.
Friday the day gets off to an early start with coffee and donuts at the American Legion Hall. Regulars will remember that donuts made by members of the United Methodist Church in West Concord were always looked forward to on several special days during the year, including the Friday of Survival Days.
There was some concern last year when it was announced that the church would be closing. Fortunately for donut-lovers, the equipment was transferred to the American Legion and the donut making is continuing.
Friday will also see the crowning of Miss West Concord, the naming of the Citizen of the Year, the person who receives the Mayor’s Key will be announced and the cutest babies will also be named. Of course, all the babies are really cute.
There are a lot of other activities scheduled for the weekend including the Scott Hodgman Classic Car Show and Bike Show on Main Street Saturday morning. The Fire Department will have a burrito breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. and there will be softball and sandpit volleyball tournaments both Saturday and Sunday and activities especially for kids on Saturday afternoon. Sunday will, of course, have the Grand Parade followed by the Firefighters Water Fight. I even heard that Klondike Kate from the St. Paul Winter Carnival is scheduled to be in the parade.
There are many other activities so be sure to stop over.
And this just gets us through this weekend.
Yet to come is Hogfest in Claremont, Festival in the Park in Kasson, and Marigold Days in Mantorville.
Take advantage of all the fun things to do in Dodge County in the summer.
Remember, winter will be here before we know it.