McHenry County News FRE
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y r n e H c M 5 1 20 y fair t n u co
Volume 5 Issue 34
By Anne Eickstadt, Correspondent
H
omemade, Homegrown is the theme this year for the McHenry County Fair. From the time it opens at 7:30 am Wednesday, August 5, the fair teems with animals, vegetables, fruits, crafts and, of course, baked goods and other kitchen products. Antiques, Art and Photography Shows allow more McHenry County skills, talents and abilities to be displayed throughout the run of the Fair. The Midway, carnival rides, food and vendors give alternatives to passive viewing of the many displays. Wednesday night brings the McHenry County Queen Pageant. On Thursday, a petting zoo opens and shows of various types begin to be performed. A magician varies his shows with displays of hypnotism, bands perform periodically and contests draw in children and adults. Loghoggers is an organization of chainsaw log carving artists. Joe Stebbins is the Loghogger representative at the McHenry County Fair. He is scheduled to give several demonstrations of his art each day of the fair. Stebbins has been chainsaw carving for 11 years. “The process is a lot of fun,” he says. “It is a series of fast decisions.” Stebbins usually does custom work on tree stumps and the like. He only does about 8-12 fairs a year. He will have 16 carvings completed before 3 pm on Sunday when they will be auctioned off. That is, if enough logs are provided. He only has 12 right now. www.loghoggers.net
August 20, 2015
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On Friday, the 4-H Fun Horse Show begins. “It’s ‘Bribe Your Horse Day’,” the announcer remarks as the girls attempt to get their horses to follow them into the arena by carrying feed buckets. The horse is to follow a girl around a barrel and back to the edge of the arena. The quickest time for this activity wins. A Boot Race follows the bribery. Each rider removes one of her boots. The boots are carried across the arena by Boot Holders. The horses race to the boot holders, the riders dismount and pull on their boot. They then run back across the arena with their horse for their prize. www.4-h.org Friday, August 7, holds the 1st Annual Lip Synch Contest at the McHenry County Fair. It is being judges by the members of ‘Blend’, an a capella singing group who is performing at the fair this year. [They are quite good.] At noon, registration for a Pedal Push event begins. This is open in categories from 3-4 years old and up to adult. Miss McHenry County and her entire court participated in both the pedal push and the lip synching. www.blend-acappella.com All of these activities continue from Wednesday through Sunday, August 5 – 9. In addition, the fair holds a MotherDaughter Look-Alike Contest, a Celebrity Look-Alike Contest, a motocross event and a demolition derby. There is a bit of something for everyone at the McHenry County Fair. For further information, check online at www.mchenrycountyfair.com or visit Photo by Anne Eickstadt McHenry County Fair – HomeMiss McHenry County, Nora Brown of Woodstock, greets the children at the Pedal Pull Conmade Homegrown on Face- test. book.
World War II Veterans honor ceremony held By Anne Eickstadt, Correspondent
The second Sunday of August is designated National Spirit of ’45 Day. It is a celebration of the end of World War II. At 4 pm in Veterans Park in McHenry, crowds have already filled the park, the band is playing ‘40s music and dancers fill the ‘dance floor’ in front of the central gazebo. Several rows of seating are designated for World War II veterans and their families. These rows are filled. Along one side of the park, canopies shade food services and relics of World War II in the way of
military uniforms, helmets, medals, tools and weapons. Another space holds displays of the covers of ‘Time’ magazines from World War II depicting political and military leaders. These covers come from the US, the United Kingdom, China, France and other European countries, the Pacific Theater and other places around the world. At 5 pm, the band is interrupted for a special broadcast on the Mutual Broadcasting System. The President of the United States and Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces, Harry S. Truman is announcing the end
of World War II. The Color Guard, dressed in white uniforms, promenade along the walkway toward the gazebo and present flags. The National Anthem is played and then we all say the Pledge of Allegiance. Rev. Bill of St. Paul’s leads us in prayer. He was a chaplain during the Korean War. At this point, a helicopter from Homeland Security does a flyover to honor the veterans who are present. This is the 6th Annual Spirit of ’45 event in McHenry and it is receiving national recognition. Mayor Lowe presents a speech recognizing the World War II veterans, “You did what
you needed to do. You came back, went to work, raised families and taught us that freedom isn’t free. You are the most humble generation. You don’t talk about it [your experiences during the war] but it is important to all of us that we understand it.” In 2010, Congress declared the second Sunday of August as a day of remembrance for World War II veterans. Today, for the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, each of 28 veterans is being honored with a certificate of
See VETERANS, Page 3