Polk County Fair Guide 07-24-24 by Amery Free Press

POLK COUNTY FAIR

July 25-July 28, 2024

A unique band with an even more unique sound

BY JUSTIN RUNBERG EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM

The Polk County Fair has many different attractions and events for people to enjoy, including live music with an uncommon instrument. The sounds of Ukeleles will be heard strumming from the stage for onlookers to enjoy. The band has played at the fair the past three years, and is looking to make it a fourth on July 26, at three in the afternoon.

“We perform all over in nursing homes and this is our third year performing at the Polk County Fair.,” said Judy Everson, Ukelele player for

Good Neighbors Ukelele Ministry. “And this year we added a children's show at three o'clock on Friday, July 26th. And then we have another show from five to seven on the same day. The Children's show is going to be kind of hands on with how we'll be playing and then we'll have somebody directing them, having the little kids get up there and do different things like Itsy Bitsy Spider and Little Ducks and stuff like that.”

The group loves to perform and show off the little instrument. Everson and others hope that they inspire an interest for the kids and others to play. At the end of their shows at the fair the group will add a little extra fun for

(Coupon good thru September 30, 2024 at Slumberland Furniture, Amery)

those in attendance. At the end of their shows they will be giving out a free ukelele to someone in the crowd from a drawing.

The group started about 10 years ago with pastor Lori Peper at West Emanuel Church. Peper had gotten a few area churches involved with the instrument and has seen good reception to learning it. She has since created a couple Ukelele clubs. With the Good Neighbors Ukelele Ministry, the group will arrive at the fair about 40 people strong to put on a great show.

The Ukulele has been very popular in the group thanks to its ease of use. Everson enjoys playing it because it is

not as large as a full sized guitar. This makes it easier to learn and be able to strum the strings. The community surrounding the club has been a great resource to learn and spend time with others as well.

For anyone who loves the sound of the Ukelele, The Polk County Fair is the place to be. Enjoy the group play different hits and watch as they get the kids out of their seat, and having fun.

“Like I say, it's our third year at the fair, and each year we draw a good crowd. People like the music and something different,” said Everson.

POLK COUNTY FAIR SOCIETY

Organized July 7, 1894

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24

2024

St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin

Executive Fair Board

Janis Larson, President

July 25 – July 28

Karrie Melin-Swenson, Vice President/Human Resources

Chad Lutsey, VP Buildings & Grounds

Mary Berklund, Secretary

Patricia Kytola, Treasurer

Judy Bainbridge, Financial Secretary

Board of Directors

Northeast Directors

Janis Larson, Don Dipprey, Chad Lutsey

Northwest Directors

Karrie Melin-Swenson, Judy Bainbridge, Jeanne Larsen-Alling

Southeast Directors

Michelle Peterson, Royce Larson, Gail Peterson

Southwest Directors

Hans Johnson, Becky Larson, Lori Maypark

Directors at Large

Mary Berklund, Grant Burdick, Rod Rivard

Emeritus Directors

Mark Babcock

Brenda Christenson

Judy Everson

Greg McCurdy

Gerianne Christensen

Fair Entry Superintendent

Michelle Peterson

U.W. Extension

Lindsay Spindler

UW Extension Office

100 Polk County Plaza, Suite 210 Balsam Lake, WI 54810 Office: 715-485-8600 lindsay.spindler@wisc.edu

Anyone is eligible to become a member of the Polk County Fair Society. This organization is responsible for conducting the fair. Membership fee is $10.00 for five years. Memberships can be purchased from the Secretary.

2024 Polk County Fair Board of Directors

2023 Polk County Fairest of the Fair Court

Front L to R - Don Dipprey, Becky Larson, Grant Burdick, Carrie Swenson, Chad Lutsey, Gail Peterson, Jeanne Alling, Judy Bainbridge, Royce Larson. Back L to R - Michelle Peterson, Janis Larson, Lori Maypark, Mary Berklund.

Pictured L to R - Fairest of the Fair Raeann Lehman and Fairest of the Fair Attendant Deanna Walton.

THURSDAY Open at 4 pm Wristbands from 4 - 9 pm

FRIDAY Open at 4 pm All rides one less ticket from 4 pm - Close

SATURDAY

Open at 11 am

Wristbands from 11 am - 4 pm

SUNDAY

Open at 12 pm

Wristbands from 12 - 5 pm

Showing off the relationship between kids and animals

BY JUSTIN RUNBERG EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM

Wisconsin is known as the dairy land and it shows in how strong the states agriculture programs are. The best display of this culture is at the Polk County Fair when kids show their animals. There are many different kinds such as: heifers, chickens, rabbits, and even goats. But it’s also a great way for

them to pick up a few life lessons along the way.

“I think showing animals is really about developing our youth actually, by teaching them to work diligently with their project animal and to learn basic livestock skills and knowledge,” said Gwen Dado, owner of Four Hand’s Holstein’s. “For example, understanding how to feed your animal for best show performance, understanding how

to clip and present your animal. Again, showing purpose, and I think the whole purpose behind 4-H is to develop youth in reference to developing work skills, understanding that we might not always win.”

Preparation for showing the animals at the fair starts many weeks prior. In that time, the kids will work with their animals to get them comfortable with each other. Different strategies and how

one handles the animal will be dependent on the species. For dairy, the kids will begin a couple of months before the fair starts.

In that time, those who participate in showing will begin their work. The first thing the kids will do is get used to holding a rope halter and walk the cows around in an enclosed area. This is so

SHOWMANSHIP, PAGE 19

JUSTIN RUNBERG

The cow is waiting patiently as Kallie Anderson takes care of him throughout the experience.

JUSTIN RUNBERG

L to R: Kallie Anderson, Cows, Suki Gatica. The girls use teamwork to get the job done.

JUSTIN RUNBERG

Kallie Anderson works her way up to the cow’s back while avoiding a tail to the face.

JUSTIN RUNBERG

Suki Gatica keeps the cows wrangled as Kallie Anderson does her best to clean them up.

Deronda Diplomats 4-H

Indian Creek 4-H

Front Row: Agnes, Taylor, Addie, Marissa, Paisley, Levi, Teddy, Carl, Kallin.

Back Row: Cora, Kendra, Genevieve, Cole, Charlotte, Griffin, Lane.

Not Pictured: Terrance, Maddie, Sam, Addison, Justus, Elise, April, Ella,and Raya.

Back row (left to right): Jezi Sain, Olivia Sain, Karter Sain, Riley Schultz, Amelia Fronczek-Rude, Wyatt Langness, Tia Lochner, Amelia Koeppen, Cuda Riley, Kyleigh Anderson, McKenna Paulson. Front row (left to right): Cooper Langness, Jackson Rude, Nova Riley, Loretta Langan, Justin Christenson, Hunter Anderson, Kaleb Christenson, Tyler Schultz, Dodge Troff, Levi Roos, Colton Anderson, Arianna Lee. Not pictured: Chevelle Lee, Josie Piel, Charlotte Stewart, Blake Johnson.

Evelyn Strobach – Jr. Fairest of the Fair Contestant

Evelyn is the daughter of Ben & Amy Strobach. She lives in Clear Lake on their family farm where they raise beef, sheep, hogs, turkeys and a donkey and do crop farming.

Evelyn has exhibited at the fair since she was born. She has exhibited arts and crafts, crops, beef, hogs, sheep and turkeys at the Fair. She is a member of the Knotty Pine 4H Club where she attends monthly meetings, help clean up and put-up duck houses at the Rosewood Wildlife Park that they help take care of and attend club activities.

In her free time, she loves to craft, play softball, dance with CanDance Studio’s doing Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Lyrical dances, working on the farm and spending time with family.

She will be a 5th grader at Clear Lake Elementary School in the fall.

Evelyn looks forward to getting more involved in 4H and leadership roles in her 4H club.

Fairest of the Fair Contestants

Sarah Carlson – Fairest of the Fair Contestant

Sarah is the daughter of Kirk & Trish Carlson of Dresser. She is a graduate from Osceola High School and is currently a sophomore at St. Catherine University. She is working on her LPN license, and she will graduate with a Bachelor of Science Nursing and will be an RN. She would like to work as an RN in the ICU for a couple years and then continue with schooling to become a nurse anesthetist. She wants to attend the University of Minnesota Rochester for their nurse anesthetist program. Her long-term goal is to open her own horse-riding facility to train horses and give lessons after she is done with schooling and has an established career. She plans on owning horses throughout her lifetime.

In school she is involved with the Limitless Riders show team, Plants for Dummies where she holds the position of secretary, Special Olympics Club and New Friends, Sime Obsessions.

Her Current hobbies are Hunter Jumper show team, figure skating, powerlifting and sewing.

Sarah’s current community activities include a lot of things through 4H such as trash pickup, volunteering at nursing homes, Volunteering at Limitless Riders a therapeutic riding facility, Youth Leadership through 4H and helping with upkeep with a community garden at St. Catherine’s.

Current Sarah works on-call at St Croix Health and Rehab Center in New Richmond, on-call RA at Presbyterian Homes Carondelet Village Location in St. Paul MN and Lunging Horses at Limitless Riders 2x a week.

Honor and awards that Sarah is proud of are 4H Key award, Certified Nursing Assistant, Multiple 4H

Cream of the Crop Cheesecake Challenge

Cheesecake from Wisconsin should most definitely be dairy-rific and overflowing with Wisconsin finest flavors fruits and all things wonderfully Wisconsin. Let your creativity run wild with this classic DairyLand tradition.

Mooo..ve over amazing cheesecake and be sure your cream of the crop cheesecake is decadent, with topping a plenty. Please provide two copies of recipe all foods must be delivered with the copy of the recipe. All recipes must be original to the bake entering them. No prepared mixes may be used.

The serving size is one standard cheesecake and needs be dropped off at the administration building Saturday July 27 between 7:30 am and 10:30 am. The judging takes place 27th at 11am to 12 in the afternoon. There is a scorecard for the Polk County Fair for how the cheesecake is scored. Taste is 40 points, appearance is 30 points, and creativity is 30 points. The Polk County fair is providing awards for first, second, and third places. First place will win $75, second will win $50, and third place will take home $25.

Youth Leadership awards, 12 record book awards, a member of the National Honor Society at Osceola High School, Antonian Honors Society at St. Catherine University, and Global Scholar at the Osceola High School.

Sarah has been very involved in the Polk County Fair and has been a great advocator for 4H.

U-W Extension welcomes summer intern Natalie Chartrand

Cushing 4-H

Cushing 4-H Club Members: Tessa Becker, Jacob Binversie, Kristyn Binversie, Nick Binversie, Noah Byl, Amelia Chartrand, Natalie Chartrand, Ethan Chelberg, Kelsey Chelberg, Brooke Christensen, Aubrey Cook, Dillon Cook, Gregory Duxbury, Mia Duxbury, Grayson Fadness, Zander Fadness, Gavin Fredrickson, Liam Fredrickson, Oliviarose Fredrickson, Huxley Gebur, Tilly Gebur, Wren Grimes, Annabelle Hall, Caroline Hall, Beverly Hanson, Callahan Hanson, Charles Hanson, Clary Hanson, Coral Hanson, Daniel Hanson, Eleanor Hanson, Madison Hanson, Reese Hanson, Kenny Hoefs, Decker Hoen, Quinn Hoen, Axel Jensen, Buddy Johnson, Josie Johnson, Julianna Johnson, Gideon Kaiser, Kaija Kaiser, Zander Kaiser, Lilly Krenz, Audrey Lundgren, Hailey Lundgren, Whitney Lundgren, Mya Mattson, Grady McKenzie, Lane McKenzie, Emily McManus, Lorelei McManus, Zoe McWilliams, Luella Melin, Pearl Melin, Elsa Mimnaugh, Harrison Mimnaugh, Jayden Mimnaugh, Reid Mimnaugh, Adriana Moncrief, Cheyenne Moncrief, Richard Moncrief IV, Adrian Morris, Jaiden Nelson, Tayler Nelson, Ainsley Olson, Oaklynn Olson, River Olson, Jaisa Ouellette, Brennan Ruskanen, Taylorann Ruskanen, Isabelle Schmidt, Blakeley Sculley, Jayce Sculley, Claire Seifert, Brett Sladky, Brock Sladky, Paislee Staples, Roger Swanson, Emilie Walker, Mason Walker, Ashlin Waltz, Bryce Waltz.

Natalie Chartrand - 2024 Polk County 4-H Summer Intern

Hi! My name is Natalie Chartrand and I am the 2024 Polk County 4-H Summer Intern. I recently finished my freshman year of college at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where I am working towards a bachelor's degree in chemistry. I currently live in Eureka and graduated from St. Croix Falls High School last year. I am still an active member of 4-H and my projects include art and crochet. I am super excited to be working with the Polk County 4-H program and can not wait for the fair!

Pleasant Lake 4-H

Back Row L to R: Cooper Gott, Ethan Davis, Parys Ouellete, Sarah Carlson, Aubrey Gott, Jessica Carlson, Hannah Davis, Chloe Frandsen. Front Row L-R: Eli Sanders, Dixon Maki, Isla Maki, Elanor Frandsen, Noelle Sanders, Savanna Rugg. Not Pictured: Olivia Cunningham, Brady Krenz, Evelyn Osten, Lydia Rober’t, Marlee Stanek.

Polk County 4-H Clubs and Leaders

Beaver Brook Badgers – Katie Lauterbach 715-829-8024 or Hollie Severson 715-554-3199

Bone Lake Beavers – Terri Anderson 715-566-1043 or Candyce Johnson

Cattail Clovers – Michelle Pickard 715-948-4249

Cedar Lake - Neil & Rebekah Gustafson 715-755-3913 or Lucas & Kristine Williamson 715-688-9672

Cushing – Rayannon Lundgren 715-566-0088

Deronda Diplomats – Marge Schone 715-268-7031 or Karl Koeppen 715-523-1717

Forest View – Amanda Lietz 715-293-3725

Indian Creek – Linda Owens 715-653-2663

Jolly Milltown – Judy Bainbridge 715-825-2207

Knotty Pine – Amanda Sanders 715-641-2466

Little Butternut – Jackie Thompson 715-529-1869

Little Falls Livewires – Julie Novak 715-268-2237

Lucky Horseshoe – Corrine Gehrman 715-205-4409

McKinley Vikings – Melissa Monchilovich 715-651-2956

Northern Lights – Shirley Miller-Frey 715-557-1467

Pleasant Lake – Trish Carlson 715-294-4372 or Heather Gott 715-566-1459

Scenic View – Sandy Swanson 715-483-9350

Shooting Stars – Matthew Babcock 612-308-8885

South Milltown – Jeanne Alling 715-553-2488

West Sweden – Paul Knauber 715-327-8880

Cattail Clovers 4-H

Back Row: Brody Curtis, Emma Pickard, Kinsley Kobernick, Michaela Polta, Mason Peetz, Brady Kobernick, Braden Curtis, Lance Pickard. Front Row: Bailey Curtis, Nolan Anderson, Kora Amundsen, Easton Peetz, Parker Peetz, Sam Anderson. Not Pictured: Owen Anderson and Christine Pickard.

Back row: Aurora Lindholm, Morgan Monchilovich, Madeline Monchilovich, Payton Freer, Mitchell Monchilovich, Seth Strenke. Front row: Skylar Maddison, Alex and Hayden Lindholm, Katlin Moffitt-Freer.

Beer Garden Stage

Thursday, July 25

8 pm – The Mitch Gordon Band

Friday, July 26 4 pm – North of 64 Band

Beer Garden Infield Open

Thursday 4-10 pm

Friday 4 pm-Midnight Saturday 1 pm-Midnight Sunday Noon-4 pm

2024 Contests

Cheesecake Challenge Medallion Hunt Clues at Administration Building

Fair Photo Contest

Check the Website for Details Scarecrow Contest Barn Quilt Contest

Forest View 4-H

Front Row: Holt Johnson, Easton Johnson, Jonah Lietz, Vivian Brown, Aubrey Larson, Kendall Larson.

Second Row: Brynnleigh Neumann, Payton Ruter, Rielly Ruter, Lia Neumann, Elise Andre, Emma Ruter, Dylan Haase

Third Row: Londynn Rondeau, Arianna Brown, Henry Neumann, Izzy Neumann, Maryalice Batchelor, Teddy Neumann, Brianna Lee, Gabbie Neumann, Addy Neumann, Reecelyn Rada

Not Pictured: Morgan Cordie, Ruby Demulling, Sylvia Demulling, Macie Demulling, Myla Flatter, Aubrey Haase, Daniel Haase, Agnes Haase, Lucy Haase, Claire Haase, Teresa Haase, Jacob Haase, Emily Haase, Adalyn Haase, Lydia Martell, Kora Martell, Adriel Martell, Cody Meyer, Logan Meyer, Brielle Meyer, George Neumann, Gus Neumann, Lucy Neumann, Olivia Pederson, Trinity Ricci, Tatum Ricci, Delilah Ricci, Londyn Rondeau, Madison Rud, McKenna Skifstad, Lily Stoddard, Cayden Steinke, Lucy Steinke, Frank Swanson.

Scan to Purchase Pre-Sale Tickets

The QR code will take you to a secure page where you will be able to buy Daily Passes, Season Passes and even Wristband Vouchers for the Midway rides When you buy passes, you'll get a QR code sent to you that will be scanned at the gate for entry� Wristband Vouchers will be printed on-site at the West end of the Fairgrounds and then exchanged for actual Wristbands at the Midway Ticket booths

Jolly Milltown 4-H

Back Row: Moses Memmer, Hunter Carlson, Aiden Nagel, Alec Nagel, Boe Carlson.

Front Row: August Vollrath, Paislee Battisti, Ginnee Memmer, Ruth Vollrath, Grace Vollrath, Oakley Fisk, Rowen Fisk.

Not Pictured: Grant Johnson, Adian Johnson, Ashton Nagel, Riley Hoffman, Abbi Hoffman, Emory Nelson, Brooklyn Vlasnik,Braden Vlasnik, Haze Larson, Merritt Memmer, Etta Bosak, Jet Bosak.

Daily Events

HISTORIC RED SCHOOL HOUSE

Local History Experts and Displays

CROPS BUILDING

Extension and Natural Science Demonstrations and Displays

POLK COUNTY BEE KEEPERS

Demonstrations

DAIRYLAND ADVENTURE

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

CJ THE BALLOON MAN

Northern Lights 4-H

Back Row: Oliver Krzystofiak, Kai Schwartz, Anika Schwartz. Middle Row: Willie Bauer, Joci Tate, Lilli Olson, Evelyn Hernadez. Front Row: Harry Bauer, Madison Lunzer, Maverick McKusick, Easton Cherry, Gretta McKusick. Not Pictured: Morgan Anderson, Oliver Bauer, Evelyn VanErp, John Bateman, Jamison Berg, Emmet Berg, Ruby Copiskey, Harper Copiskey, Emilie Glenna, Payson Hach, Katelyn Kozak, Eleanor Elfelt, Dani McKinven, Zeus Engliter, Aquila Engliter, Adeline Whall.

What’s

Thursday, July 25

JUDGING

8:30 am Junior Horse Show

9 am Junior/Open Swine Show

1 pm Junior/Open Goats

CROPS/NATURAL SCIENCE BUILDING

10-11 am LEGO Challenge

11 am-Noon Rube Goldberg Contraptions

1-2 pm Makey Makey

2-3 pm�� Rock Painting & Coloring Sheets

3-4 pm Archery String Bows

MAIN STAGE

10 am �� Rick and Kenny

2-3:30 pm Hypnotist - Jim Mitchell

6 pm Memories Reunion Show

9 pm Hypnotist - Jim Mitchell

BEER GARDEN STAGE

8 pm The Mitch Gordon Band

GRANDSTAND

6 pm Horse Pull

MIDWAY/CARNIVAL

4 pm �� Opens

4-9 pm Wristbands

BEER GARDEN

4-10 pm �� Open

RED SCHOOL HOUSE

2-4 pm Polk County Normal School Reunion

Little Butternut 4-H

Back Row: Tori Malueg, Mireya Dietmeier, Liberty James, Maya Lumley, Chloe Bengston, Maddelin Gardner, Jocelyn McLafferty, Jennifer Wallner. Front Row: Miles Stone, Oliver James, Brayden Bengston, Richie Kronn, Brylan Smith.

Not Pictured: Alaina Burgstaler, Levi Burgstaler, Christina Eley, Emily Eley, Andrew Frendt, Emily Frendt, Macie Peper, Declan Schallenberger, Easton Schallenberger, Rose Thompson, John Wallner, Madeline Wallner, Christian Wright and Mickenzie Wright.

Daily Events

HISTORIC RED SCHOOL HOUSE

Local History Experts and Displays

CROPS BUILDING

Extension and Natural Science Demonstrations and Displays

POLK COUNTY BEE KEEPERS Demonstrations

DAIRYLAND ADVENTURE

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY CJ THE BALLOON MAN

No dogs/pets allowed • All events subject to change

Front Row: Chrys Novak, Peter Novak, Matt Jr. Novak, Anastasia Novak, Hannah Novak, Felicity Novak, Madison Yeske, Lucy Novak, Eden Muro, Edwin Dodge, Ronia Dodge. Back Row: Isabelle Novak, Eva Muro, Isaac Barstow, Conner Sandberg, Elianna Barstow, Athanasius Novak, Claire Novak, Mary Sandberg. Not Pictured: Elijah Muro, Amelia Whall, Adeline Whall, Zachary Yeske, Jakob Yeske, Katelyn Gallatin, Michael Novak, Austin Sandberg.

JUDGING

8:30 am Jr Western Riding & Games Show

8:30 am Junior/Open Beef Show 9 am Junior/Open Poultry Show

9 am Junior/Open Sheep Show

3 pm

Junior/Open Exotics

CROPS/NATURAL SCIENCE BUILDING

10-11 am Rock Painting & Coloring Sheets

11 am-Noon �� Robotics Demonstration

2-3 pm Makey Makey

4-5 pm LEGO Challenge

5-6 pm Rube Goldberg Contraptions

MAIN STAGE

10 am Rex Cactus

11 am ADRC Medicare Scams

Noon Rex Cactus 1 pm �� Hypnotist - Jim Mitchell

3 pm Ukulele Kids

5 pm Ukulele Group

8 pm Hypnotist - Jim Mitchell

BEER GARDEN STAGE

4 pm North of 64 Band

GRANDSTAND

7 pm 4x4 Truck Pull & Dairyland Garden Tractor Pull

MIDWAY/CARNIVAL

4 pm Opens

4 pm-Close All rides 1 less ticket

BEER GARDEN

4 pm-Midnight Open

Lexi

Vidalia Gorres, Lydia Sievers, Oliver Gorres. Laying in Front: Oliver Wood, Lisa Anderson. Not Pictured: Madeline Miller, Pepper Millermon, Kylea Nelson, Charles Wagner, Steven Wood, Violet Wood, Lily Wood, Rose Wood, Robert Wood.

Back Row: Liam Strobach, Evelyn Strobach, Jocelyn Sanders, Raegan Sanders,

Lewis,

Daily Events

HISTORIC RED SCHOOL HOUSE

Local History Experts and Displays

CROPS BUILDING

Extension and Natural Science Demonstrations and Displays

POLK COUNTY BEE KEEPERS Demonstrations

DAIRYLAND ADVENTURE

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY CJ THE BALLOON MAN

No dogs/pets allowed • All events subject to change

Saturday, July 27

CHINANDER ARENA

7 am Open WSCA Games Horse Show

JUDGING

9 am Junior Dairy Cattle

9:30 am Junior/Open Rabbits

10 am Llama Show

CROPS/NATURAL SCIENCE BUILDING

10-11 am Rock Painting & Coloring Sheets

11 am-Noon Rube Goldberg Contraptions

Noon-1 pm Makey Makey

1-2 pm LEGO Challenge

3-4 pm �� Archery String Bows

MAIN STAGE

10 am Kiddie Pedal Tractor Pull & Adult Pedal Tractor Pull

2 pm Hypnotist - Jim Mitchell

4 pm Talent Show

5:30 pm Festival Improv Theatre

9 pm Hypnotist - Jim Mitchell

GRANDSTAND

4 pm Tractor Pull

MIDWAY/CARNIVAL

11 am Opens

11 am-4 pm Wristbands

BEER GARDEN

1 pm-Midnight Open

Front Row: Forman Fisk, Kyzer Gunderson, Kaylon Gunderson, Cora Heinz, Tate Fisk, Teal Fisk Back Row: Daniel Wright, Jude Fisk. Not Pictured: Natalee Bjornstad, Sage Fisk.

FRONT (l-r): Ryley Gehrman & Katelyn Roessler. BACK (l-r): Clayton Gilbertson, Hunter Gilbertson, Hailey Gilbertson, Trevor Gilbertson & Kooper Klugow. Missing: Bradyn Gehrman.

Daily Events

HISTORIC RED SCHOOL HOUSE

Local History Experts and Displays

CROPS BUILDING

Extension and Natural Science Demonstrations and Displays

What’s Happening Today?

Sunday, July 28

JUDGING

9 am Little Britches Show

10:30 am Dairy Showmanship

SMALL ANIMAL BARN

11:30 am-1 pm Silent Auction

CROPS/NATURAL SCIENCE BUILDING

10-11 am LEGO Challenge

11 am-Noon Rock Painting & Coloring Sheets

Noon-1 pm Makey Makey

2-3 pm Gratitude Booth Raffle Drawing

MAIN STAGE

10 am Church with St Peters Lutheran Church

11 am Roller Family

1:30 pm �� 2024 Polk County Fairest of the Fair Coronation

3 pm River City Clogger

GRANDSTAND

2:30 pm Demo Derby & Power Wheels Derby

MIDWAY/CARNIVAL

Noon �� Opens

Noon-5 pm Wristbands

BEER GARDEN

Noon-4 pm �� Open

POLK COUNTY BEE KEEPERS Demonstrations

DAIRYLAND ADVENTURE

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY CJ THE BALLOON MAN

No dogs/pets allowed • All events subject to change

Bone Lake Beavers 4-H

FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE

Beaver Brook Badgers 4-H

Back Row L to R: Wyatt Matteson, Morgan Boettcher, Grace Mattson, Kaylee Boettcher, Logan Lundquist, Lilian Wilson, Lane Cook, Lilly Johnson, Mikayla Johnson Holding, Aubree Anderson. Middle Row L to R: Callie Johnson, Astrid Sommerfield, Zander Hulteen, Anna McKinley, Wyatt Hove, Nolan Hove, Elijah Wilson. Front Row L to R: Hank Wilson, Zoey Boettcher, Noah Wilson, Olivia Anderson, Amaya Edwards, Sawyer Lundquist, Amber Ullrich, Oakley Cederberg.

Greenberg

Kallie Andersen, Evelyn Braaten, Benjamin Briggs, Luke Briggs, Addison Clark, Spencer Clark, Soren Dodge, Alison Emerson, Samantha Emerson, Suki Gatica, Michael Hawkins, Mira Hutter, Hazel Jansen, Camille Kastanek, Greta Kelling, Joseph Kelling, Leah Kelling, Amelia Knowlan, Delilah Kuhl, Hazel Kuhl, Josephine Kuhl, Walker Kuhl, Kerry Larson, Leo Lauterbach, Miles Lauterbach, Reid Lauterbach, Alice Lee, Julia Lee, Mary Lee, Hazel Lehman, Morgan Leonard, Taylor Lien, Lane Lindberg, Oliver Lindberg, Abraham Macholl, Willow Macholl, Alexandria Magnine, Macey Melberg, Katelyn Osero, Layne Penard, Leah Penard, Isabelle Peterson, McKynlee Peterson, Chase Prindle, Leyna Richardson, Raelynn Richardson, Hannah Rosenberg, Lincoln Setter, Cora Severson, Croix Severson, Everett Stone, Harlon Stone, Lyla Stone, Joslyn Thomas, Noah Thomas, Darby Trent, Cali Widiker, Anna Williamson, Grace Williamson, Mckenzi WilsontoShay, Ellie Wojchik, KruseYuhas, SiriYuhas.

SHOWMANSHIP: Creating and maintaining life skills through partnership and fun

the animal doesn’t get spooked or try to run away. Then, they get used to walking clockwise in a circle. Over time, the animals and people showing them start to develop a bond, with some only responding to their “person” of sorts. At Dado’s farm they practice twice a week with their 4-H members. Some clubs will practice upwards of five days a week to train their animals. When the kids show their animals there are different classes that they can participate in. In bovine, there are over six categories. Depending on the age of

the cow will depend in what class the kids show their animal. For example, in the aged class, it is meant for cows over five years old. So, you won’t have a first-year heifer competing against a five-year-old one. This keeps the competition fair for those who participate. When they show the bovine, they are looking at specific details of the animal. The judges are looking for what they feel is the most ideal cow based off their confirmation.

“We actually have a dairy judging score card and so we're looking at how they rank in the scoring. Scoring is done on dairy strength, frame, utter,

and the rear feet and legs. So those are the four categories we look at, and we're comparing that in our brain to an ideal cow,” said Dado. “So, just like in humans, all of us look different. So do all animals. And so we all have strengths and weaknesses, right? So, like my niece is six foot two, I'm five foot two. If we were in a cow class, the six foot two person would be showing, not me the short one. We all have different feet and legs, and same goes for cows. We want a cow that has a solid set of feet and legs so she can stay standing in the herd for quite some time. So we have this ideal in our brain and that's what we're comparing it to.”

There are two differences in showing animals though. In one part the fairgrounds they have a livestock area. For livestock, the animals will be auctioned off at the end of the competition. These animals are bred for the purpose of being sold for their meat. The other side, the part that the 4-Hers will participate in, will be in dairy. With the diary part of the competition, the animals will return to living at the farm when the competition is done. Making for a happy ending for a showing.

With the Polk County Fair just around the corner, it is a great way to see how much work the kids put in with their animal. Although the fair has many events, some of the most popular are those that show the different species of animals on farms.

Showings for the animals will begin on Friday and go all the way into Sunday, where the junior class will show off their young animals. Whether you’re on the lake visiting the cabin, or are from the area, there is much fun to be had at the fair this year.