Where town and country meet:
Houston County Fair begins today
Posted: 8/12/03
In Houston County, we save the best for last. As the summer wanes, the Houston County Fair gears up to provide the highlight of summer and a great way to get together with friends and acquaintances that we see too rarely the rest of the year.
The fair begins today and runs through Sunday at the Houston County Fairgrounds. There is no admission charge, except for grandstand events. There is a charge for parking on the fairgrounds, but plenty of free parking is available nearby.
Grandstand events
Tonight, the first-ever comedy night will be held in the grandstand. Featured entertainers are Mike McAbee, a musician/comedian, and David Malmberg, a musician/ventriloquist.
Comedy night is preceded by the Talent Show Finals, which begin at 7 p.m. Donít miss this opportunity to see what wonderful local talent we have in our midst. Winners will go on to the talent contest at the Minnesota State Fair. There are also cash prizes to be given in three divisions.
The popular Motocross event is Thursdayís grandstand event. The thrills just keep coming and the mud keeps flying as skilled drivers race dirt bikes through a challenging course. Motocross begins at 7 p.m.
The Figure 8 Race Friday night is a variation on the popular demolition derby with cars making their way around a figure 8-shaped track. The race begins at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, the field class tractor pull begins at 11 a.m. in the grandstand. The modified tractor pull begins at 7 p.m.
A time-honored tradition on Sunday afternoon at the fair is the demolition derby. The derby offers hours of excitement as drivers do their best to eliminate the competition and keep moving. The derby begins at 1:30 p.m.
Adults tickets to grandstand events are $8 and childrenís tickets (ages 6-12) are $4. Tickets for the modified tractor pull on Saturday are $4 for adults and $2 for children.
Free entertainment
abounds
Free entertainment is in abundance at the fair, with a wide variety of acts to enjoy, some from our very own county, and others with an international flair. Acts include:
The Jim Busta Band of Spring Grove with its old-time waltzes, polkas, and schottisches is a familiar and welcome sight at local celebrations. The Winona International Dancers, which counts among its numbers a Houston resident, are bringing traditional Polish folk dances to the fair. From a little further away, Ecuador Manta brings the traditional Andean music of their Inca heritage to the fair. The musicians play a variety of traditional folk instruments.
Back again at the fair is Mariachi Flor y Canto, with festive music from Mexico featuring trumpets, violins, and guitars. The band will be playing in conjunction with Los Alegres Bailadores, a troupe of Mexican folk dancers.
Bob Bovee and Gail Heil perform traditional old-time music and interweave their songs with stories and folklore.
Devotees of bluegrass music will enjoy Family Four Plus Two of Houston, a band featuring Don and Myrtle Otis of Houston.
Dan Kirk, the Juggler with the Yellow Shoes, is a featured performer on Friday at Kidsí Day.
Please consult the fair schedule on page 8 for days and times.
The Lage and Young Stage Show will put on a teen dance Thursday evening at 8 p.m. This high energy duo has made the Houston County Fair a stop on their summer tour, and promises a great show!
Teens and young adults will enjoy the music of local band Sold Separately on Friday night from 8-10:30 in the entertainment tent.
This yearís fair will also have an ecumenical church service featuring the bluegrass music of Ginni and the Boys. The service begins at 11 a.m. Sunday with Pastor Lane Zaffke leading the service. All are welcome, and there will be no offering taken.
New midway offers
fun and thrills
This yearís midway is provided by American Beauty Shows. A number of special promotions are being offered through the fairís run.
An unlimited ride ìMega Pass,î is available for $40.
A mini-pass wristband can be purchased for $8 to be used on Wednesday only.
From 6-8 p.m. Thursday itís ìBuddy Night with 2 for 1 rides.
Friday is wristband day between 1 and 5 p.m. with wristbands for $15. On Sunday, wristbands are $12 and may be used from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Kiddie rides take three tickets, and major rides take four.
Contests have become a popular event at the fair, and this year promises more of the type of friendly competition that makes for good entertainment.
A spelling bee sponsored by the Houston County Historical Society takes place at the old school house on History Lane at 4 p.m. Thursday.
On Friday, Leidelís Orchard is offering prizes of $50, $25 and $10 for the best apple pie. The judging takes place at the corner stage on the Office Building.
On Thursday evening, enjoy the Ugliest Bridesmaid Dress competition sponsored by Apple Blossom Cleaners and Meisch Upholstery. This contest takes place at the corner stage at 7:30 p.m.
A whistling contest sponsored by Frisch and Herman Dental Clinic is scheduled for Friday evening at 7 p.m. in the arts tent. A first prize of $25 will be given in each of three categories: musical whistle; attention-getting whistle and bird whistle.
A diaper derby will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. in the entertainment tent. The event is sponsored by St. Johnís Kids for Christ, and there are cash prizes for the first three finishers in each category.
Celebrities will be showing off their culinary skills on Saturday evening in the ìBuild a Better Burgerî contest sponsored by the Houston County Cattlemen. The event will take place at the corner stage of the office building. The event begins at 6 p.m.
On Sunday at 1 p.m., the Caledonia Bakery will be judging homemade chocolate cake at the corner state in the office building. Prizes of $50, $25 and $10 will be given.
At 2 p.m. on Sunday, animals and their owners will parade around Krech Arena in the ìBest Dressed Animalî contest sponsored by New Caledonia Ford. Animals will be judged on how closely they are coordinated with the entrantsí clothing or costume.
For more information on any of the contests, please contact Karyl Diersen at 724-2330.
Two days have been set aside for special groups at the fair.
Senior Citizens day is Thursday with Houston Countyís Outstanding Senior Citizens, Margaret Goetzinger and George Albert, to be recognized at a special program that begins at 1 p.m. in the entertainment tent. The Grannies Band will perform prior to the program.
Kids Day is Friday, with a full day of fun activities for the kids beginning at noon when the petting zoo opens. Kids will have the opportunity to see Magician Jim Jayes at noon and 2 p.m., and The Juggler in the Yellow Shoes is also scheduled to perform.
Home Depot is sponsoring a workshop for kids beginning at 1 p.m., and there will be hay rides around the fairgrounds every 20 minutes beginning at 1:45.
Kids who attend the kidsí day events will be eligible for a drawing following the Jim Jayes Magic Show.
As always, the open class and 4-H exhibits provide a wonderful opportunity to view the hard work, skill and talent of local youth and adults. From fruit to livestock, needlework to woodwork, the exhibit buildings and barns are overflowing with interesting projects. Prepare to be impressed and inspired at the Houston County Fair! Please consult your Premium List for a complete schedule of all thatís happening at the fair.
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