Jasper County Fair 100 Years

THE RENSSELAER REPUBLICAN AND KANKAKEE VALLEY POST NEWS

CHRONICLES OF

Jasper County Fair 1925

CELEBRATING ONE HUNDRED YEARS

2024

Editor’s Note: In honor of the 100th Jasper County Fair, the Rensselaer Republican and Kankakee Valley Post News have compiled articles and ads that appeared over the past one hundred years featuring the first county fair through the one hundredth. We hope you enjoy this special section.

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS

AUGUST 1, 1925 - 1ST YEAR

AUGUST 6, 1925 - 1ST YEAR

AUGUST 27, 1925 - 1ST YEAR

AUGUST 6, 1925

SEPTEMBER 2, 1925 - 1ST YEAR

continued on page 4

PAGE 2: 100 YEARS • JUNE, 2024 AUGUST 2, 1974 - 50TH YEAR

Fair Seeking Artists

Artists!!! Are your exhibits ready? The 50th Anniversary Jasper County Fair will begin Aug. 5 and all fine arts entries are due by Tuesday, (Aug. 6) at noon.

All entries must be of amateur rating and may not have been displayed at previous fairs.

Exhibits will be divided into three divisions. First is for beginners up to and including 11 years of age; second for Intermediates 12 to 15 years of age inclusive and third is for adults.

Pictures must be wired securely and ready to hang and no wet pictures will be accepted.

Advertisement from 1944

PHOTO PROVIDED The Rosebud School serves as a central piece of the Jasper County Fairgrounds’ Pioneer Village. It was dismantled and brought to the fairgrounds in 1977.

Jasper County Fair timeline

By HARLEY TOMLINSON harleytom20@gmail.com • The first Jasper County Fair Association’s fair was August 31 to September 5, 1925.

• The property that the Jasper County Fairgrounds is located in was originally purchased from the Jasper County Farm.

• Money to purchase the grounds came from selling 300 $10 memberships with 273 memberships sold.

• The first funding helped build a race track, barns and a grandstand.

• The first livestock entries in 1925 consisted of 142 hogs, 57 cattle, 10 sheep, 47 horses and 42 poultry.

Over 100 different individuals entered farm products.

• The 1925 officers from the JCFA in the first year of the county fair were Henry Toben, President, C.M. Dewey, V.P. Dr. A.P. Rainer, Treasurer, and A.E. Wallace, Secretary.

• On opening day 1925, four races were scheduled, including a Shetland pony race, mule race, Coldblood race and an auto race. Only county car owners could participate in the auto race.

• Just like today, the fair had special days set aside during the week of the fair, including Monday for Exhibition Day, Tuesday for Children’s Day and Wednesday and Thursday were awards days. Wednesday would become Wheatfield and DeMotte Day, Thursday was set aside

for Rensselaer and Remington Day was Friday.

• The early years of the fair included the Boys and Girls Club, which later became 4-H in the early 1940s.

• One of the oldest buildings still standing at the fair is the old Saddle Club building, which was converted into a food stand in the Horse and Pony area in 1966.

• The 1925 4-H building, Beef, Dairy and Exhibit barns have been replaced as has the original office.

• The current Beef Barn was built in 1953, the 4-H Swine Barn was built in 1954 (and updated in 1996) and the restrooms near the Show Arena were built in 1958.

• The Show Arena was built in 1965 with renovations performed in 2009.

• The Sheep Barn and the REMC/ Castongia Building were built in 1966, the Community Building was added in 1981 with additions/extensions occurring in 2000 and 2018, the poultry and goal barns were added in 1980 and 1981, the Rabbit Barn in 1985 and the Dairy Barn in 2005.

• The 1994 Commercial Farm Bureau Building was followed by the construction of the 4-H Building in 1999-2000.

• The free stage was built in 2009 and the 4-H Junior Leaders Booth in 2010.

• The Psi Iota Psi Cookie Stand was built in 2010 after years operating in a portable awning at the north end of the fairgrounds.

• The new expansive fair office was erected in 2019, replacing the old 1957 structure that was much smaller in design.

• The grandstand was built in 1972. In 2000, the grandstand was rebounded and bleachers were added to the north.

• The Rensselaer Raceway dirt race track was closed in the early 1980s.

• The first 4-H schedule spread across three pages of the fair book. It now covers nearly 50 pages.

• The first fair queen picture on the Jasper County Fair book cover was Sharon Schreeg.

• For the 100th year Jasper County Fair book, 2023 fair queen Morgan Van Meter is on the cover.

• The Jasper County Fair Association has 160 members on board, and the 100th Anniversary Committee consists of 22 members.

• The Pioneer Village began taking shape in 1868 when the Quick/ Walter/Hall Log Cabin in Barkley Township was dismantled and placed near the fair’s entrance in 1967.

• The 1938 Parr Post Office building joined the 1874 Rosebud School in 1969 and 1977, respectively.

• The Retired Iron Club building was added in 1995 with the blacksmith shop added in 2003.

• A windmill in honor of Ed Byroad was later donated to the village and the Kosta family donated an outhouse from the 1930s.

Congratulations Jasper County Fair on 100 YEARS

100 YEARS • JUNE, 2024: PAGE 3 AUGUST 19, 1925 - 1ST YEAR

Advertisement from 1932

SEPTEMBER 7, 1925 - 1ST YEAR

Advertisement from 1949

Advertisement from 1925

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PAGE 4: 100 YEARS • JUNE, 2024 SEPTEMBER 2, 1925 - 1ST YEAR

Advertisement from September 1925

continued from page 1

Advertisement from September 1925

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100 YEARS • JUNE, 2024: PAGE 5

SEPTEMBER 3, 1934 - 10TH YEAR

SEPTEMBER 3, 1934 - 10TH YEAR

Fair association to recognize fair’s 100th year with special ceremony on July 20 Advertisement from 1926

SEPT 3, 1934 - 10TH YEAR

JASPER COUNTY — Many local dignitaries and regular Chicago Cubs National Anthem singer John Vincent will help the Jasper County Fair Association celebrate its 100th year during a ceremony on Saturday, July 20 at 5 p.m. in the Show Arena.

Saturday is the first day of the fair, which continues though July 27 this summer.

The ceremony will also recognize our area veterans, with members of the VFW and American Legion on hand and Army veteran Justin Bednar representing the Wounded Warrior program.

Themes from each branch of service will be performed during the ceremony.

The Rensselaer Central children’s choir, under the direction of Stephanie Davisson, will perform and State Representative Kendell Culp, county commissioner president Rein Bontrager and Rensselaer Mayor Jeff Phillips will provide some words.

Steve Jordan, a longtime member of the JCFA, will provide a review of the fair’s 100 years and present an award to Dean Putt, a former JCFA member who recently celebrated turning 100 years of age.

An ice cream social will be offered at the conclusion of the event.

A 100-year history display of the fair will be featured at the Community Building on July 20-21 and merchandise recognizing the milestone will be on sale at the Commercial Building booth fromJuly 20-27.

The booth will also hold kids games and an adult scavenger hunt on Monday through Saturday from 5-9 p.m. each night.

JUNE 17, 1949 - 25TH YEAR

Reminisces As Fair Board Jubilee Nears

Members Trace Early Year Of Association As Jubilee Renewal Approaches

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The Jasper County Fair executives met at the county agent’s office June 10 to make plans for the forthcoming fair which will be he Jasper Co. Fairs silver Jubilee, it having been twenty-five years ago the fair started at its present location.

It was 25 years ago that men like Conrad Kellner, John Duvall, Henry Toben, Elmer Jacks, W. L. Bott, Old Yeoman, T. M. Callahan and many others decided to has a Jasper Co. Fair. John Duvall and Conrad Kellner solicited for $10.00 memberships and finally ended up with $1800.00 to start the fair.

They with many other Jasper County people got together and with the county agent H. S. Agster set up their fair board. The first board had as its President, Henry Toben the old faithful of the Jasper County Fair. Henry served in that capacity till the spring of 1948 after which E. E. Fultz rook over. Al Wallace was secretary of the first fair. The directors were picked, one from each township with Bert Amsler the county Commissioner from the central part of the county acting as director at large. The executive committee consisted of the following: Elam Fleming, Ivan Ellsworth, Conrad Kellner and W. L. Bott general Superintendent.

The heads of the different departments were as follows: John Duvall, Superintendent of speed.

Kenton Parkison, Superintendent of horses.

Walter Randle, Superintendent of cattle.

Charles Welsh, Superintendent of sheep.

Elmer Jacks, Superintendent of hogs.

C. E. Pullins, Superintendent of poultry.

Ord Yeoman, Superintendent of agriculture.

John Holden, Superintendent of Horticulture.

T. M. Callahan, Superintendent of Mechanical and Industrial.

Ed Duvall, Superintendent of Concessions.

H. S. Agster, Superintendent of the clubs.

M. L. Sterrett, Superintendent of county exhibits.

K. T. Rhoades, Superintendent of Auto racing.

G. M. Wilcox, Superintendent of grounds.

Ralph Sprague, Superintendent of Women’s dept.

Thos. Blake, Superintendent of police.

The fair of 25 years ago was all held under tents. Only the continued on page 6

PAGE 6: 100 YEARS • JUNE, 2024 JULY 19, 1999 - 75TH YEAR

JUNE 17, 1949 - 25TH YEAR

The first Jasper County Fair book (Editor’s Note: In recognition of the Jasper County Fair celebrating its 75th year this summer, the Rensselaer Republican will provide pieces of the Fair;’s history on a day-to-day basis until the Fair begins on July 23. Today, we take a quick peek at the First Fair booklet which provides a Premium List for entries in 1925.)

RENSSELAER - Jasper County Fair Association officers at the time the first booklet was printed include H. Toben as president, C.M. Dewey as vice president, Dr. A.P. Rainer as treasurer, and A.E. Wallace as secretary.

The Fair was also loaded with superintendents of everything, including, John Duvall as superintendent of speed, Albert Keene us superintendent of horses, Walter Randley as superintendent of cattle, Chas Welsh as superintendent of sheep, Elmer Jacks as superintendent of hogs, C. E. Pullins as superintendent of poultry, Ord Yeoman as superintendent of agriculture, John Holden as superintendent of horticulture, T.M. Callahan as superintendent of mechanic and industrial, Ed. Duvall as superintendent of concessions, H.S. Agster as superintendent of boys and girls clubs, M.L. Sterrett as superintendent of county exhibit, K.T. Rhoads as superintendent of auto racing, G.M. Wilcox as superintendent of grounds, Ralph Sprague as superintendent of women’s department and Thos. Blake as superintendent of police and parking.

The booklet featured the first rules and regulations of the Fair, as well as the events

Constitution. A schedule of clients was also provided and a list of admission prices including: 1) 50 cents for single admission.

2) 25 cents for single admission, vehicles and automobiles.

3) 25 cents for children under 15 and over 6.

4) Children under 6 were admitted free and genera admission after 5 p.m. was 25 cents.

Also, box seats at the grandstand were 50 cents and the cost to sit in the grandstand during the fay was 35 cents and 25 cents at night.

Today, the only cost to a Fair-goer is special events such as concerts and mud races.

Some of the more interesting events at the 1925 Fair included a fireworks show (“The Japanese Earthquake and the destruction of the city of Yokahoma is a spectacular production that has never been attempted on a county fair grounds before.”) Marvelous Melville (“Your blood tingles and your pulses leap at the wonderful and unexcelled performance of one-man flying ac.”)’ The Ace of the Air (“Will make a balloon ascension and a double parachute drop daily at the fair ground,”) ; and the St. Julian Company, which provided a sketch below for the Fair book. (“Their cradle on bar and head to head dance, the lady holding a man in a head to head while he does a sensational spin and dance is an act that has no equal.”)

continued from page 5 grandstand could be put up that first year and it was moved from the fair ground formerly run on the Dunlap grounds which is now included in the City park. The hog barn was the first building built. The Horticulture building was built the 3rd year of the fair and the horse and cattle barn was built the 5th year.

The poultry house used to be a well house at the county farm but was moved to its present site by Old Yeoman and what help he could get. All the work done out there in those first trying years were donated by the different interested individuals.

In 1927 the fair had a rainy week and when the fair was over the board found themselves with no money and lots of unpaid bills. Lumber yards were going o sure them for unpaid accounts and others were after their money.

The board met and a number of those men had so much faith in the fair and what it would do for the Jasper County people that they went to the bank and borrowed enough money to pay the fair bills and to get them started again. From that time on the fair has made its way but with sometimes very little capital and hand at the start of the next year.

This year to celebrate the 25 years of struggle of the Jasper County Fair, plans are b being made to make this the best fair yet. The Fair is offering to the public a special Jubilee ticket at a cost of $1.75. This ticket will admit the man, wife and his children up to 12 years of age and his car. The jubilee ticket is good Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

It will be sold up to Monday night, 6 p.m., August 15 and after that the prevailing price will be 50 cents per person and 25 cents for cars.

To promote sales of these tickets the Fair board has decided to make these tickets in books of ten ask will give clubs individuals, churches, stores or anyone interested 10 cents per ticket or one dollar per book for all tickets sold. As an added attraction each ticket will be numbered and each ticket sold will entitle the owner to a chance on the door prize to be given away the closing night of the fair. This prize will be a beautiful set of Rogers silverware service for eight.

Plans are also being made by the board of directors to rebuild the stage and to add more seating capacity. The very best of shows have been contracted through the BarnesCaruthers company.

The Midway will be bigger than ever. The W. G. Wade shows will again show here with more rides and shows. Of course The J. C.’s miniature train will be there in a prominent spot and the boys, as always will give the kid-

dies the biggest and finest ride out there. Prices on the rides to be lower than in the past.

Tuesday will be childrens day with all rides at half price. Tuesday night the girls clubs will put on a dress revue. This is something new at our fair and with the dress revue. This is something new at our fair and with the dress revue will be a horse show to give the public a full evening of entertainment.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday there will one afternoon races and other entertainment and at night the best shows the fair officials could get.

Saturday is thrill show day with two shows.

The board have contracted with the Lucky Lott thrill show for this performance. This is the show that went over so big at the Indiana State Fair. After the show Saturday night the many prizes will be given away including the Fair’s door prize which you have to be there to receive.

In the exhibitors building there are changes being made. Prizes have been raised in the hog and cattle dept. A barrow show has been added in the hog department open to all farmers F.F.A. members and anyone wishing to compete in this show.

Over in the Horticulture building The Red Cross will have a booth and The Jasper County schools will again have a dis-different equipment used in the schools to teach our children of today. County Supt. Ira L. play with demonstrations of the Huntington has a very capable staff on this project and every effort is being made to acquaint the public with what their children have to work with.

The Fair Board is trying to show progress and bring the public a grand week of vacation and fun and at th same time make your Fair a helpful and educational benefit.

1974 PREMIUM LIST 50TH YEAR

Featuring Miss Eileen Ryan 1973 Jasper County Fair Queen

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100 YEARS • JUNE, 2024: PAGE 7

Headlines and shorts

AUGUST 12, 1950 - 26TH YEAR

The Flying Eldonas, Sensational Barkley Steer Grand Champ Of 4-H Club Show Trapeze Artists, At County Fair AUGUST 18, 1950 - 26TH YEAR

Tom Korniak Exhibits Winning Animal; Reserve Title To Larry Miller, Gillam

The Grand Champion 4-H Club Steer at the Jasper County Fair was an Angus shown by Tom Korniak of Barkley Township. The Reserve Grand Champion was a 1165 lb. Hereford shown by Larry Miller of Gillam Township.

AUGUST 19, 1950 - 26TH YEAR

Top Steer At Fair Auction Brings 36¢ Lb. Hendrickson’s Food Store, Kouts Yards Buy Top Animals Many Support Venture Hendrickson Food Store of Rensselaer bought the top 4-H steer in the Auction held at the Fair Grounds Friday for the price of 36¢ per pound. John Michael head meat cutter for Hendrickson’s made the purchase. The steer was the top animal sold in the sale, The Reserve Grand Champion a 1180 lb.

Hereford fed and shown by Larry Miller of Gillam Township 4-H Club.

AUGUST 12, 1949 - 25TH YEAR

Many Stables Promised For County Fair Speed Superintendent Walter King Rounds Up Many Fancy Steppers

Horse race fans, and there are many of them in this country of ours, will have one of the rarest treats in Jasper county fair history this year for sure.

That’s the word of Speed Superintendent Walter Kind, one of the most avid fans of the racing strip who has done a bangup job for many years in rounding up fancy steppers for the event.

AUGUST 13, 1949 - 25TH YEAR

The daring young man on the flying trapeze will be supplemented by an equally daring if unsung, young lady on the flying trapeze at the Jasper Co Fair Tuesday through Friday night, when the Flying Eldonas unfold the act that gained them circus fame.

And the curvaceous feminine member of the team will not be playing second fiddle. She will, judging by the past per-

formances, share stellar honors with her male partner. Together, she and her partner will present the most outstanding acts such as breath taking passing leaps, somersault to foot catches and succession of demanding catches following mid-air and double somersaults.

The distinctive quality of their performance is a note of novelty. For years topbilled in the realm of the circus, they have

striven unremittingly to introduce new features or give old ones a novelty twist.

The result is, indeed, refreshing and these innovations under score their consummate skill as aerialists. Flawless timing, always their forte characterizes their every offering, and gives to their constant appearance of effortless ease.

Advertisement from August 2, 1974

Hey, Kids, Tuesday To Be Your Day All Students To Be Admitted To Fairgrounds Free On Opening Day Next Tuesday, opening day of the county fair, has been dedicated to school-age youngsters who will be admitted to the grounds free of charge that day and receive half-fare rates for the rides up to 5:30 p.m. So, kids, make a Tuesday date for the fair.

SEPTEMBER 11, 1941 - 17TH YEAR

List of DeMotte 4-H Club Girls Who Won At Jasper County Fair Following is a complete list of DeMotte 4-H club winners at the Jasper County Fair.

In clothing 1, B class, Eleanor Klip, Doris Kaluf, Lois Hoffman, and Hilda Boersma; Clothing 1, Class D, Ella Fay Barker, and Delores DeVries; Clothing II, Class B, Wilma Walstra; Clothing II, Class C, Alice Rowan, Alice Moolenaar, Thelma DeFries ; Clothing III, Class C, Shirley Hart, Evelyn Osting, Doris Seegers, Dorothy Musch; Clothing IV, Class C, Mary Lou Ewart, Henrietta Kingma, Jane Misch; Clothing V, Hazel Punter, Dorothy Story, Cordelia Kooy.

Food Preparation I, Class C, Bernice Terpstra; Room Improvement, Class A, Anna Klip.

Baking I, Class A, Gwendolyn Belstra; Class B, Vera Evers, Margaret Schoonveld, Jane Misch; Class C, Hilda Boersma, Delores Moolenaar; Class D, Eleanor Klip, Ella Barker, Baking IV Punter; Baking III, Class B, Alice Moolenaar; Class C, Wm. Ely; Baking III, Class A, Mary Curtin, Freda Cheever, Margaret Curtin; Class B, Anna Klip, Baking, IV, Class B, Henrietta Kingma; Class D, Doris Seegars; Baking V, Class C, Mary Lou Ewart.

Canning I,. Class A, Freda Cheever; Class B, Eleanor Klip, Mary Curtin; Margaret Curtin; Class C, Vera Evers; Canning II, Class A. Doris Seegars; Class B. Jane Misch; canning III, Class B, Dorothv Story.

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PAGE 8: 100 YEARS • JUNE, 2024 JULY 20, 1974 - 50TH YEAR

A good crowd watched a fourclass tractor pull at the Jasper County Fairgrounds Friday night after enjoying the annual Fair Association Fish Fry. Don Harness and Jack L. began an action packed evening with pulls of 200 feet each to tire for first place in the 5,000 pounds modified class. Mechanical failure prevented a pull-off to break the tie, and L. received the trophy in a coin toss.

Harrold McQueen of Manteau, Ohio, with the first place trophy in the 9,000 pounds stock class with a pull of more than 288 feet.

Don Broch of Kirklin took top honors in the 12,000 pounds farmers class with a pull of more than 294 feet.

Winner of the 7,000 pounds modified class was Rich McEnterfer of LaPorte, who pulled more that 298 feet.

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100 YEARS • JUNE, 2024: PAGE 9 July 27, 1974 - 50TH YEAR

Jasper County Fair Offers 50th Anniversary Celebration The Golden Anniversary Jasper County Fair will begin Sunday, Aug. 4 with entries of livestock from 1 to 8 p.m., the Carnival, provided by Olympic Amusements, and the popular Stock Car Races.

Judging will begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5 with 4-H and open dairy classes. at 1 p.m. Monday open class carcass and 4-H gilts and pig scramble pigs will be judged.

The Monday evening program will be staged this year at the grandstand rather than in the show arena. The

entertainment will begin at 6:30 with a vesper service, followed by the Freckle and Pie Eating contests. The 4-H dress revue will begin at 7 p.m., followed at 8:30 p.m. by the Adult Style Show.

At 9 p.m. special entertainment will recognize the 50th anniversary of the fair.

On Tuesday, Aug. 6th, 4-H flower and garden exhibits will be accepted from 8 a.m. to noon. 4-H swine (barro9ws and litters0 will be judged beginning at 8:30 a.m. Rabbits will be judged at 9 a.m.

4-H flowers will be judged at noon, followed at 1 p.m. by judging in the floral department, women’s department, fine arts, 4-H garden and agriculture and horticulture.

Horse and pony games will be staged at the south show ring throughout the day.

The Jasper County Fair and REMC Queen contest will be presented Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. before the grandstand. Advance tickets may be purchased, at the fair office during fair hours.

Wednesday, Aug. 7, will

see 9 a.m. judging of 4-H beef. At 4 p.m. the cake auction will be held in the exhibit building. The parade of 4-H champions and the Pig Scramble will be staged this year at the grandstand, followed at 7p.m.by the Horsepulling contest. Advanced tickets may be purchased at the fair office.

Beef department open class and 4-H horse and pony judging will begin at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8.

Open class swine and 4-H and open class sheep judging

will begin at 1 p.m.

At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, the machinery parade will be staged in front of the grandstand. In addition to the new machinery on display will be several antique items.

At 8 p.m. the Diamond S. Rodeo will perform at the grandstand area. Advanced tickets will be available at the fair office during fair week.

Friday, Aug. 9 will see 4-H dog judging at 9 a.m. and the 4-H beef, hog and sheep auction in the Show Arena, beginning at 2 p.m.

The crowd-pleasing Demolition Derby will be presented in front of the grandstand at 8 p.m. Friday. There will not be a Powder Puff heat but women are welcome to drive in the regular hearts, Tickets for the Demolition Derby may be purchased in advance during fair week at the fair office.

As in the past, there will be no charge for gate admission but there will be a change for the grandstand shows.

AUGUST 6, 1974 - 50TH YEAR

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PAGE 10: 100 YEARS • JUNE, 2024

Centennial of Jasper County Fair is underway

By TORI SMITH JCEDO Intern

The opening ceremony The centenary of the Jasper County Fair is underway with merchandise, memorabilia, and speakers to show for it. The fair will kick off during an opening ceremony in the Show Arena on Saturday, July 20, at 5 p.m. and many will attend: There will be opening remarks from Russ Martin. There will be a VFW/ American Legion Presentation, an invocation by Kenin Smith, and the National Anthem will be sung by John Vincent. State Representative Kendell Culp will speak. Steve Jordan will present a 100-year review. Veteran Themes for each branch of Service as well as Veteran Justin Bednar - Army Wounded Warrior.

An ice cream social will follow the opening ceremony, “just as was done in years gone by at country gatherings,” said Vicki Nagel, county fair board chair and webmaster.

The ice cream will be free, also in the Show Arena.

Dean Putt will also be in attendance, and there will be a special presentation for him. He is 100 years old, and has been attending the fair ever since he can remember. There will also be tethered balloon rides, if weather permits.

100-year activities 100-year merchandise will be available for purchase that has a 100-year logo that was designed with public input. Merchandise will include T-shirts, wristbands, tumblers, totes, hats, and water bottles.

Those interested will be able to make a purchase at a booth in the commercial building, or by pre-ordering on the fair’s website.

The Fair Board will also be selling a 100-year cookbook, fea-

turing recipes that the board has received from the community.

The 100th-year anniversary of the fair has brought many memories for those who are digging through their or their family’s fair-filed past. A citizen found a dress her mother made that went to a state competition in either 1931 or 1932. The oldest photograph received so far has been from 1932.

Not only is the fair hosting an oldest photo contest, they’ve also been working with Judy Kanne, who runs the county’s historical society in Rensselaer (and who is also on the 100th-year committee) to put together the facts and figures for the historic event.

She’s looked through fair board records, conversations with community members that could direct her in the right place, and old fair books.

All entries for the oldest photo, any memorabilia to include, or family stories are due on July 1.

The Community Building will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, but the building will not be open until 5 p.m. on July 20.

“It takes a lot of eyes and a lot of bodies,” said Nagel, mentioning about all it takes to put the week of the fair together. She’s been involved with the fair for 31 years.

be a living statue, crafts in the Community Building, puppet making, Jasper/Newton Choir, a church service, Weed Whacker Pullers (Retired Iron), Pioneer Village Updates, and more.

Grandstand events The grandstand events include a truck and tractor pull, mud drags, ATV barrel racing, D & D rodeo, micro wrestling, demolition derby, and monster trucks.

Free entertainment and things to do There will also be entertainment around the fairgrounds, such as the Lewey E. Comedy Circus, Bob’s Bumpy Barrels, the All Star Barnyard Review, pig races, a petting zoo, City Sidewalk Stompers, Indiana Carvings, First Bite Fishing, Mistervibe Hypnotist, and Those Funny Little People, who were featured on America’s Got Talent.

There will be free stage entertainment available every day.

The entertainment lineup includes 45RPM, Finley River Boys, The Nerds, Jake Dodds, Warranted, The Flying Toasters, Mellencougar, Party Foul, Silly Safari, Twisty Kristy, Melly Pop, Daniel Lusk, and Rob Thompson.

There will be children’s games going on in the Commercial Building each evening, alongside an adult scavenger hunt where the winner will get a prize. The hint for the day will be displayed in the 100-year booth. There will be a prize for the winner.

The Carnival Company will have rides open daily from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for a $25 wristband. If an attendee brings two canned goods on Tuesday, they get $2 off their $25 ticket price. On Friday, the carnival will be open until midnight.

PHOTO PROVIDED The Jasper County Fair Association will sell several souvenirs in recognition of the Jasper County Fair’s 100th year during the week of July 20-27 at the fairgrounds. Totes, shirts, tumblers, cookbooks and more will be available for purchase in the Commercial Building.

Withers Concessions, Home Grown Smoked-Pulled Pork, Gourmet Nachos & More, Georgie Marie Cookies, PSI IOTA XI Sorority, Farm Bureau, C & E Concessions, MT Calvary Church, Momma Donna’s Freeze Dried Candy, Bubble Shack, Dawns Concessions, Starr Concessions, The Local Lemon, Ford Foods, Gutwein Corn, Boneheadz Barbq, Monon Meats, and Travelin Tom’s Coffee. Most food vendors open up at 5 p.m., with a few openings earlier in the day dependent on personal schedules. Most are open approximately until 10 p.m.

Sunday Fun Day Sunday is what’s known as “Sunday Fun Day,” according to Nagel, and it’s also known as family day. The Fire Department will have fire trucks with demonstrations on fire safety, and other activities. There will be a sheep herding demonstration in the Retired Iron Club building, and foam play in the parking lot north of the Community Building. There will also The final day of the fair be a parade on There will be fireworks at Eat up Sunday at noon through the dusk on Saturday, July 27, to The food vendors will be as commemorate the centennial. fairgrounds with judges to determine the winner. There will also follows: Pearlowyn’s Eatery, Nagel said the fair is al-

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most generational, as she has seen many families, generation through generation, returning to the fairgrounds. She even ran into a couple every year who were celebrating their anniversary (their seventieth is the latest one she can recall.) She said the fair board turns into somewhat

of a family, and it takes a lot of different things to put all of this together.

For those interested in learning more about the fair, they can visit its website or its facebook page. They can also pick up a fair brochure in the Jasper County Extension Office.

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