Caledonia Argus

County Fair begins today

Posted: 8/13/02

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

The Houston County fair begins today, bringing back many of the familiar sights and events of past years, but also a few new ones.

The 4-H vets science, pets and cat judging is scheduled for 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. today, while the 4-H dog show begins at 4 p.m. The 4-H poultry and rabbit judging will take place at 1:30 p.m.

A new addition this year will be a patriotic scarecrow contest scheduled for noon located in the office building.

The 4-H style show is set for 6 p.m.

Also new this year is a mini-pass wristband will be honored from 6-8 p.m. Then at 7 p.m., the Minnesota State Fair Talent contest begins as does the National sanctioned Garden Tractor Pull in the grandstand.

Thursday, August 15(Senior Citizen Day)

This is a busy day for 4-Híers who have a lot of animals to show.

The swine show begins at 9 a.m. in the show pavilion.

The 4-H booth, banner and community pride judging begins at 9 a.m.

Horseless Horse judging starts at 9:30 a.m., while the horse show, pleasure and halter begin at 10 a.m. at the Horse Arena.

Since Thursday is considered one of the hardest days during the fair for horse competition. A special night of fun is scheduled to relieve some of the pressure. The ìHorse Gamzî event was held for the first time last year for just 4-H contestants, but this year it is open to the public.

It starts at 6 p.m. and involves a an obstacle course. Then, there is musical sacks, which is the horse and rider version of musical chairs. There is also the candy bar or pop race, where contestants ride down and back from one end of the corral to the other, all the while drinking a can of pop or eating a candy bar.

The Dairy Goat show starts at 11 a.m. in the Krech Arena.

A senior citizens day program is scheduled for noon at the entertainment tent.

The 4-H beef show, followed by the open class begins at 3 p.m. in the Krech arena.

The Spelling Bee sponsored by the Houston County Historical society is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the old school house.

The Horse Gamz (games on horseback) is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the horse arena.

At 7 p.m. the motocross event, in its third year running, should fill the stands.

Carnival buddy night, two for one, is scheduled from 6-8 p.m.

Entertainment during the day is by Kent Larson, one man band and Brian Brueggan & the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen from 4-8 p.m.

Friday, August 16 (Kids Day)

Itís another busy day for 4-Híers, with the dairy show beginning at 9 a.m. and the dairy auction scheduled for noon.

A special kids day program is scheduled at noon including entertainment, games and prizes until 1 p.m. Mikael Rudolph will delight children with a mime show at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. A hayride is set for 1:45 p.m. Country Cousins Petting Zoo opens this day.

Tricia and the Toonies is scheduled for 2, 4, and 6 p.m. in the office building.

Carnival wristbands can be used between 1-5 p.m.

The 4-H lamb lead begins at 2 p.m. and a 4-H horse show begins at 6 p.m. The horse show will be the annual state qualifying course, but for something new there will be a special flag ceremony preceding the event involving several 4-H clubs.

Also, new at 6 p.m., a ìBald is Beautiful contestî sponsored by Main Attractions will be held in the arts tent.

An apple pie contest, sponsored by Leidelís orchard in the office building, and the figure 8 race in the grand stand are both scheduled for 7 p.m.

Special entertainment, a live band ìJohnny On The Spotî is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the entertainment tent.

Saturday, August 17 (Tractor Pull Day)

The Lazy Lopers horse show begins at 8 a.m., while the 4-H market livestock auction is scheduled for 9 a.m.

The open class dairy show begins at at 11 a.m. in the Krech Arena.

The field class tractor pull begins at 11 a.m. in the grandstand, while the Modified tractor pull begins at 7 p.m. in the grandstand.

The 4-H rabbit show, followed by the open class begins at 12:30 p.m.

Kids who werenít able to see Mikael Rudolphís mime show on Friday, can see him at 1, 3 or 5 p.m. on Saturday in the arts tent.

Entertainment will be provided by Ecuador Manta, Music from the Andes at 11 a.m. in the arts tent and the Virginia Dare Band (country) at 8 p.m. in the Entertainment tent.

Tricia and the Toonies are scheduled for 2, 4, and 6 p.m. in the office building.

A chili contest, sponsored by the Cattlemanís Association is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Sunday, August 18 (Demo Derby Day)

Recognized as Demolition Derby Day, the contest is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the grandstand.

A new event, the Ranch Horse Show is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the horse arena. It is open to the public and will include team pennings, single pennings, barrel racing and pole bending.

The herdsmanship awards are scheduled for 12:15 p.m. at the Krech Arena.

A carrot cake contest sponsored by the Caledonia Bakery is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the office building.

Unique music is scheduled for the last day of the fair. Chulrua, Irish Dance Tunes featuring Paddy O' Brian, is set for 1 and 3 p.m. in the arts tent. Clearseach, featuring Gaelic Harpist Anne Heymann is scheduled for 2 and 4 p.m. in the arts tent.

Carnival wristbands can be used from 3-7 p.m.

4-H exhibits are released at 4 p.m.

An open Mic Karoake is scheduled for 5 p.m. in the arts tent.

See page 13 for a complete list of events.

Top of Page