Posted: 8/7/07
Houston County Fair opens August 15 with events for all
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
"Enjoy the Magic of the 2007 Houstson County Fair" is this yearís theme and organizers of this yearís event have plenty of magic in store for fairgoers. The five-day extravaganza runs from Wednesday, August 15 through Sunday August 19.
Tuesday, August 14
The fair actually gets underway Tuesday afternoon for county 4-Hers. General exhibit judging will be held from 1:30 to 7:30, 4-H planter contest judging will be held at 6 p.m. and the 4-H Fair Ambassador selection will begin at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, August 15
4-H booth, banner and community pride judging gets underway at 9 a.m. The 4-H poultry judging starts at noon, with the open class to follow. The 4-H rabbit show begins at 4 p.m. with the open class to follow. At 4:30 p.m. the Red Hatters fashion contest will be held. The 4-H dog demonstration will begin at 5 p.m. An open talent show, showcasing some of the top local talent, will begin at 7 p.m. The winners of the various classes will advance to the Minnesota State Fair.
Thursday, August 16
The 4-H swine show and horseless horse judging will be held at 9 a.m. The 4-H horse show will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the 4-H dairy and market goat show beings at 11 a.m. with the open class to follow. The 4-H beef show is slated for 3 p.m. with the open show to follow. The sixth grade spelling bee will be held at 4 p.m. and the Motocross race and ugliest purse contest will begin at 7 p.m.
Senior Citizens Day
Thursday is also Senior Citizens Day, and there are a number of activities lined up for the young at heart.
The Langen Band will perform old-time and standards from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Lunch will be served by Semcac Senior Dining from 11:30 to 12:30.
Houston Countyís Outstanding Senior Man and Woman Volunteers, the presentation for "Friend of the Fair Award, and Century Farm awards will be made at 1 p.m.
The senior citizen spelling bee will be held following the awards program.
Friday, August 17
A chainsaw artist will be creating works of art from wood with a chainsaw all day Friday and Saturday and until noon on Sunday. He will create a minimum of 12 sculptures, which will be auctioned on Sunday afternoon. The 4-H dairy show will begin at 9 a.m.
The 4-H horse show-game classes will begin at 6 p.m. and the Figure 8 car race and Lip Sync contests begin at 7 p.m.
Kids Day
Friday is Kids Day and fair organizers have plenty in store for the kids on Friday.
The petting zoo will be open all day Friday through Sunday.
Bob Bohmís entertainment family game show will be held Friday at noon, and 2, 4, and 6 p.m. This unique show involves audience members of all ages and engages them in silly games of skill. Audience volunteers are cast as members of the crew from the old "Gilliganís Island TV show. Participants will find themselves eating bugs (Gummi bugs) spinning hula hoops, dancing the limbo, yelling like Tarzan and more. The audience will vote on the best actors and actresses, who are crowned the champions. The show will also be held Saturday at 1, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. and on Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m.
Alfie the Robot and his four-foot tall robotic friends, Harold the Horse, Hugh the True Blue Policeman, and Olaf Iverson the Farmer, will be moving throughout the fairgrounds providing laughs and high jinks on Friday and Saturday.
The Houston County Fair and the Masonic lodges of Houston County will providing a Kidís ID program beginning at noon.
Operation Military Kids will begin at noon and is open to all youngsters. It is a nationwide effort by the U.S. Army and community organizations to support the children and youth of National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers impacted by the global war on terrorism. Numerous games and activities have been planned.
Games and prizes will begin at 1 p.m. and the Home Depot Workshop, where kids can build special projects, will begin at 2 p.m.
The sawdust scramble for money will be held at 3:15 p.m.
Saturday, August 18
The 4-H market livestock auction will begin at 9 a.m. The diaper derby will begin at 10 a.m., showcasing the fastest youngsters in diapers in the county. There will be three age classes: 0 to 12 months, 12 to 15 months and 15 to 24 months.
The nationally sanctioned strongman competition will begin at 10 a.m. This areaís strongest men will compete in the semi-pull, tire flip, car walk, log press, and Atlas Stones competition.
The best hotdish contest will be held at 11 a.m., as will the farm tractor pull.
The pie baking contest will begin at 12:30 p.m. and the Texas holdíem poker tournament will begin at 1 p.m.
The lunchbox derby, where participants create cars out of food, will begin at 4 p.m., as will the salsa-making contest.
The Bistodeau Family Band from Princeton, MN. will perform at 5 p.m., and again at 7 p.m.
A bizarre human tricks contest, where people try to come up with the most unique body contortions, will at place at 7 p.m.
The modified tractor pull will take place at 7 p.m. and Troubleshooter will be providing musical entertainment at 9 p.m.
Sunday, August 19
The Bank of the West BBQ cook-off will begin at sunrise. the ecumenical church service will be held at 10:15 a.m.
The euchre card tournament will begin at 11 a.m., and the dress your animal contest will take place at 11:30.
The 4-H supreme showman contest will begin at 1 p.m., as will the oatmeal cookie contest.
The demolition derby will take place at 1 p.m.
The BBQ contest judging will be announced at 3 p.m.
Medallion hunt
A medallion hunt, sponsored by the Houston County Womenís Resource Center and Council Against Child Abuse, will be held during the fair beginning Thursday, August 16 and continuing until the medallion is found.
The first clue will be announced in county newspapers the week before the fair and additional clues will be posted each day at 10 a.m. at the HCWR booth located in the commercial exhibit hall.
The winner will receive $100.
The midway
Besides all the shows, events, contests, and judging, Premier Shows will be providing rides in the midway Wednesday through Sunday. Special midway events include Wednesday- mini-pass wristband (ages 9 and under) from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday- buddy night (2 for 1) from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday- wristbands (all ages) from 1 to 5 p.m., and Sunday wristbands (all ages) from 3 to 7 p.m.
Caledonia Argus
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P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com