Winneshiek County Fair Board members front (l-r): Mark Knutston, John Schnitzler, Arlin Franzen and Ron Hemesath; (back) Gary Schutte, Mark Steffens, Gordy Tangen, Becky Winkler, Michelle Brincks, Makayla Hageman, Zach Kerndt, Jo Henning and Ryan Bullerman. (submitted photos)
By Roz Weis,
Winneshiek County Fair Board members front (l-r): Mark Knutston, John Schnitzler, Arlin Franzen and Ron Hemesath; (back) Gary Schutte, Mark Steffens, Gordy Tangen, Becky Winkler, Michelle Brincks, Makayla Hageman, Zach Kerndt, Jo Henning and Ryan Bullerman. (submitted photos)
The best of smalltown life is celebrated at the Winneshiek County Fair each year.
The county fair starts months before the actual fair itself, with local organizers hard at work bustling in preparations for the five-day festival.
The Winneshiek County Fair wouldn’t be as successful without the dedication of local volunteers, law enforcement, sponsors and donors – all providing prizes, hours of elbow grease and more to keep the fair running smoothly.
This year’s fair is jam-packed with activities July 11-15, featuring everything from local entertainment and baking contests to talent shows, grandstand events, 4-H and FFA displays, livestock shows, midway rides and much more.
And who could forget the food at the fair? Between the Cattlemen, the pork producers, the dairy folks, the 4-H Clover Café, the Luren Singers food stand and the midway, there are plenty of opportunities to feast during the fair.
For seasoned fairgoers, there’s nothing quite like walking the fairgrounds and checking out all the livestock and displays while wrapped in the tempting scents of grilled burgers, pork-chops-on-a-stick, funnel cakes and freshly-popped popcorn.
Hands-on demonstrations, kids’ activities, and grandstand entertainment galore round out the fair schedule this year.
Award winning fair
Last December, Winneshiek County Fair was among the Blue Ribbon Fair honorees announced during the Iowa Association of Fairs conference. The annual award pays tribute to fairs supporting the community and making improvements to make their fair one of the best in the state.
Fair Board member Becky Winkler said, “One of the reasons we were selected from the Northeast District was the addition of the new Community Building and other improvements made to the fairgrounds, and our commitment to the youth of Winneshiek County.”
Grandstand events
This year, the grandstand events start with the opening ceremonies and fair queen coronation Tuesday, July 11, at 3 p.m. Also included during that ceremony will be presentation of the honor guard with the local VFW and the annual
presentations of the “Friends of the Fair” and “Distinguished Service” awards. Tuesday’s grandstand events conclude with the popular stock car races starting with hot laps at 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday’s events are highlighted by the Barnes PRCA Rodeo at 7 p.m.
Thursday’s NTPA Truck and Tractor Pull starts at the grandstand at 7 p.m.
Entertainment Friday starts at 7:30 p.m. with Chad Brock and Jarrod Turner opening for headliner Easton Corbin, who takes the stage at 9 p.m.
Area native Cory Farley will open Saturday’s grandstand concert at 7:30 p.m. John Michael Montgomery is the headliner at 9 p.m.
Box social
Among the new offerings this year is a “silent box social” with proceeds going to a new playground at the fairgrounds. Bidding on meals will be in the community building at the fairgrounds, and the dining experiences will be prepared by groups from various Winneshiek County organizations. The meals will be brought to individual homes/offices, and must be redeemed by Dec. 31 of this year.
Other events
The Bill Riley Iowa State Fair Talent Search, a Lego building contest, multiple food contests, Hobby House collection displays, arts and crafts, a performance by Mollie B and Squeezebox, antique tractor display, a petting zoo, T-shirt design contest, bean bag tournament, Nick’s Kid’s Show, the Decorah Park & Rec Fair Run, horse and wagon exhibition, the Saddle Club Fun Day, flower arrangement displays, bingo and the Evans United Midway Show are among the ongoing events throughout the week.
Details about this year’s fair are available on the official schedule printed in this issue.
Visitors to the 2023 fair can view schedules online on the Winneshiek County Fair Facebook page or visit the official fair website at www.winneshiekcountyfair.org.
Check out photos and coverage of the fair on the Driftless Journal social media outlets, online and in upcoming print issues of the newspapers.
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