Posted: 8/15/06
County fair this week
Veterans program
kicks it off tonight
The 2006 Houston County Fair takes place this Wednesday-Sunday, August 16-20 at the fairgrounds at 103 North Ramsey Street in Caledonia.
The focus this year is ìSalute to Veterans.î A USO-style show will be held in the Grandstand on Wednesday, August 16 at 8 p.m. (In case of rain it will move to the Entertainment Tent.) This program will also honor local veterans.
Minnesota Governor and First Lady Tim and Mary Pawlenty plan to attend the event, fair board secretary PJ Johnson told The Argus on August 4.
The Color Guards from all of Houston County American Legions, VFW, and Womenís Auxiliaries, and the Minnesota National Guard Color Guard will be present. Former Army Ranger Andy Davis will present the Honorees Awards. Twin Cities comedian John Kenik will host the program.
Houston County entertainers include Jessica Ingvalson, Tanya McNally, Bob Bovee and Gail Heil, Gary Buxengard and the Coulee Chordsmen Barbershop Quartet, and Spring Grove Community Theatre.
Also on the agenda are the La Crosse Cloggers, The Spamettes, ìElvisî Joe Torrito from Chicago, and the headliner band ìThe Great River Band.î Plus there may be a few celebrity surprises.
There will be other veteran-related events at the fair. Many will be in a tent hosted by the Minnesota Army National Guard in Winona. It will have historic flags, military equipment, and a climbing wall.
A video teleconferencing hook-up with soldiers serving in war zones will be set up, using high speed Internet hook-up.
Wednesday will also feature Operation: Military Kids (OMK) from 2-6 p.m. It is intended to support children of National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers. A variety of games and prizes will be featured, plus activities such as memory books, frames, and journal.
Many new things
There are several new contests this year:
ï The Ugliest Hat Contest on Thursday at 7 pm. in the office building;
ï Prettiest Legs Contest for Men Only on Friday at 7 p.m. in in the office building;
ï Salsa Cooking Contest on Saturday at 4 p.m. in the office building;
ï Texas Hold-Em Tournament on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Entertainment Tent;
ï Euchre tournament on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the Entertainment Tent;
ï Belly dancing demonstration on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the office building;
ï Barbecue Cook-Off on Sunday starting at sunrise. Judging will be done at 3 p.m. followed by supper in the office building with a freewill donation. Proceeds go to 4-H.
The petting zoo is new this year too. ìItís a whole new family with a whole new group of animals,î Johnson said.
The Original Toughman Contest will take in the Entertainment Tent at 9 p.m. on Friday is new also.
A ìMeet the Candidates Forumî for county offices will be held on Saturday from 11:30-12:30 in the Arts Tent. It will be moderated by Jane Palen and sponsored by the Caledonia Chamber of Commerce.
Daily highlights
Here are the daily highlights of the fair.
Tuesday is 4-H entry day.
Wednesday has a talent contest in the Entertainment Tent at 7 p.m. A Salute to Veterans in the grandstand is at 8 p.m.
Thursday is Senior Citizenís Day, with dinner at 11:30 in the Big Tent, and an awards program for them at 2 p.m. Senior Citizens of the Year are Vernon ìBudî Marnach of Caledonia and Edith Nerstad of Spring Grove. A spelling bee takes place at 3 p.m. The Langen Band plays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., followed by the Apple Annies from 1-2 p.m. The sixth grade spelling bee is at 4 p.m. at the Old Schoolhouse. An Ugliest Hat Contest is at 7 p.m. on the Corner Stage. Motocross is in the grandstand at 7 p.m. Elvis is in the Entertainment Tent at 8 p.m.
Semcac Senior Dining is also serving a meal at the fair that day at 11:30. Make reservations by August 15 by calling 507-725-5330 or 563-544-4780.
Friday is Co-op Day/Kids Day, with many activities starting at 1 p.m. The Sawdust Scramble is at 3:15 p.m., the Prettiest Legs Conteest is at 7 p.m., the Figure Eight Race in the Grandstand is at 7 p.m., the band Tunnel Vision plays in the north end of the Entertainment Tent at 9 p.m., and the Original Toughman Contest is a 9 p.m. in the Entertainment Tent.
Saturday is Tractor Pull Day, with a field class tractor pull at 11 a.m. and modified tractor pull at 7 p.m., both in the grandstand. There are numerous contests throughout the day, including Diaper Derby at 10 a.m., Apple Pie Contest at 11 a.m., Salsa Contest at 4 p.m., and Belly Dancing demonstration at 7 p.m. Karaoke is in the Entertainment Tent at 9 p.m.
Sunday is Demolition Derby Day. An ecumenical church service is at 11 a.m. The Demo Derby starts at 1:30 p.m. in the grandstand. The Dress Your Animal Contest is at noon in the Krech Arena, a Carrot Cake Contest is at 1 p.m. in the office building, and BBQ judging at 3 p.m. followed by supper in the office building.
People are also reminded that they donít have to be in 4-H to bring in exhibits.
This is just the tip of the fair iceberg. For more information, check out the fair flyers available at many businesses; call the fair office at 507-725-3397; or visit the website of www.houstoncountyfair.com.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com