Duane A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator, Webster County
July 9, 2010 Edition
County fair time is upon us and things are even busier than usual in our office. Of course fair preparation is always taxing, but we are also working on a new look for the 4-H Exhibit Hall and the old 4-H Food Stand. I hope that people will notice the differences. You will learn more about how this all came about during the fair, so I will save that for later discussion. I am, however taking a little departure this week from my normal routine. In talking about this fair as well as other upcoming fairs and events, someone asked me about an article I wrote a couple of years ago. I actually had forgotten about it. They said they really enjoyed it and asked if I wouldn’t run it again since it is fair time. So here goes…..
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT THE COUNTY FAIR? Forget Ferris wheels, merry-go-rounds and cotton candy. At the County Fair, it's all about "just bein' country." The county fair, harkens back to the good old days when fun meant family, animals and spending time outdoors. The hustle and bustle of daily life is replaced by the cacophony of bleating animals. Men in blue jeans, sweat stained hats and boots gather in the hot sun to talk crops and the bids on cattle, hogs and sheep. Youngsters lounge in the shade of the animal pens, sit on their show boxes or hang on their clipping chutes, discussing how their steers, hogs or sheep fared in the live show or showmanship events. They look forward to the rodeo or demo derby!
Fairs are unique summer and harvest celebrations that have been a part of the American scene since the early 1800's. We discovered part of that history four years ago as Webster County celebrated its Centennial County Fair at Bladen. (Note: You can still find this history on the web at http://www.webstercountyfair.org) There are the smells of fresh-cut wheat wafting through the air, as well as the smell of kettle corn, barnyard manure, cream-can stew in the 4-H and FFA trailer lot, teenage perfume, and the sweat of laboring contestants - there's a distinct aroma that only fairs and festivals possess. And where else can you find a rodeo, beef, hogs, sheep, rabbits, chickens, and blue-ribbon pickles in one place. Fairs offer something for everyone. Some come for the yum-yums, others crave the funnel cakes or perhaps the pie at the Methodist food stand. Many come to watch the 4-H and FFA exhibitors prepare and show their projects which range from static exhibits to livestock, each as important to the exhibitor as it is to the next. Still others come for their annual pilgrimage or family vacation or just for the social networking and visiting old friends and neighbors and attend the rodeo to cheer on the cowboys or perhaps the bulls. Others come to hear the racing of engines and the crunch of metal at the demolition derby.
Childhood memories lure us back to a fair each year where we admire exhibitor’s livestock, bright red tomatoes, sweet corn, cucumbers and youth artwork and pictures. We can get on a daring carnival ride; or eat cotton candy even if it sticks to our face. We can sit at the 4-H snack shack and reminisce. We can even witness the water fight between 4-H and FFA exhibitors, and even 4-H leaders and volunteers that seems to put punctuation on the final day of the fair. Fairs celebrate rural America, vegetables, farm animals, sewing and home cooking. Fairs from their earliest days have been yoked to the carnival culture with its sideshows and games of chance. There is something to be said about the smells, the lights and the sounds of a fair. We all like Fairs. They are an important part of America and Nebraska and our agricultural culture.
The County fair in any part of Nebraska is hardly atypical. These ventures always revolve around agriculture and family bonding. People involved with the 4-H and FFA work really hard to maintain the old-fashioned county fair and atmosphere. There is an effort to do things that people can relate to, but we try to maintain the basics of what life was 50 years ago. The Webster County fair, now in its 104th year in Bladen, relies mostly on livestock shows, rodeo and children's contests for entertainment, not unlike many other counties across the nation.
Fair Time Has Arrived, and We're All Loving It. As an old time 4-Her and FFA member, fair time is far more work than I remember as a kid. The 100° days seem hotter, and the snow cones and funnel cakes seem more expensive. The bleacher seats seem harder, and the distance between barns longer. Nonetheless, I've yet to attend any activity that boasts as much community support, creates so many hours of quality family time, and has a higher percentage of kids who understand the value of competition, sportsmanship, hard work and having fun.
Fair time gives dads a chance to really connect with their kids – their efforts focused on helping them achieve their goals. I fondly remember this with my daughter. Meanwhile, the moms just continue what they do all the time -- keep the family together, and sacrifice mightily for their kids. Both sets of grandparents will be attending to make it all the more enjoyable for the kids, and probably to watch their children experience what they lived through and recapture that pride.
It doesn't really matter what your goals are, or the activity you choose watch or to compete in. There's just something special about melding community, kids, animals, agriculture and fun into an annual event. I consider spending several days at a county fair or even the state fair as a right of passage, a reinforcement of what makes America unique and special. Everywhere you look at the fair you'll see proud dads, super moms, great kids, and the support network of family and community that enables those kids to have an experience of a lifetime. It is a big slice of Americana, as close to a Norman Rockwell painting as we can get. And the neatest thing of all is that it's all in our own backyard. See you at the fair!
The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu or go to the website at: http://www.webster.unl.edu/home
Jason Bostock is shown with his ribbons and medals from the Special Olympics held in Lincoln last week. Jason got two medals and two ribbons.
Robert Carper (Ayr) is pictured here with Blue Hill resident Molly Coffey in Lincoln at the World Wide Special Olympics. Carper is displaying several Medals. Carper has participated in the Olympics for many years and has a host of medals. Bobby Carper won four bronze medals.
Pictured here is Blue Hill resident Trinidad Borrego with his catch on his recent trip to South Dakota with his wife Sylvia. Looks like some good eatin".
