Postville Big 4 Fair board members are anxious and excited as the open dates for the 4-H and FFA pre-show event draws near, held Friday-Sunday, June 16-18.
Held in conjunction with Allamakee County ISU Extension Office, the show-only fair caters to youth who show animals at each of their respective county fairs. Interest keeps growing, with an average of 280 contestants each year – and 90 new show kids experiencing the Big 4 Fair last year.
“The kids love it, and we do it for the kids,” said Mike Kruckenberg, Big 4 Fair volunteer board member. “The barns are always full and it gives them a chance to practice before they show at their own county fair so they have some experience. The show kids don’t much care about having a carnival, and it’s so expensive, so we just focus on what’s important to them – the shows and contests.”
There is a bit of pomp and circumstance with the event though after 102 years of annual competitions, with the annual Allamakee County Dairy Days Parade Friday, June 16, at 7 p.m., just before weigh-in for the beef, sheep and meat goats. Then, it’s time to cut loose with “Smoking Guns Showdown” at 8:30 p.m., on the bandstand behind Dreamland.
Friday, June 16, is for junior division judging, clothing judging and style show, open class project judging and the Dog Show. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Postville Childcare will have an ice cream parlor and food stands will be open.
Saturday features the dairy show, kiddie tractor pull and kiddy calf show, followed by their older counterparts for the dairy/cow show, then judging takes place for rabbits, meat goats and hogs. “Woodshed Reboot” will entertain Saturday night at the bandstand.
Sunday is the sheep and beef show as the finale to the Big 4 Fair, and the beef competition is steep with nearly 70 competitors in 2022.
Forget the rides and carnival games, head to the Big 4 Fair to see kids of all ages showing off what they are proud of while also helping each other to practice and get better in the show ring.
For more information visit Big Four Fair-Postville on Facebook, or www.extension.iastate.edu/allamakee/Bigfourfairpostvilleiowa.
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