Best show their best at county fair
With nearly perfect weather, more than 200 4-H'ers representing six Marion County clubs showed projects that was an accumulation of a year's work.
The 74th annual Marion County Fair was held Aug. 4 through Saturday at the fairgrounds in Hillsboro.
Marion County Extension Agent Ricky Roberts said from his perspective the fair went great.
"Our (exhibit) numbers are holding steady," Roberts said. "The barns appeared to be fuller because for the first time since I've been here, all of the animals (except horses) could be exhibited at the same time."
Roberts attributed the success to the reorganization of the barn, showing animals in the pavilion, and evening beef and lamb shows.
"Showing in the pavilion went really well," said Roberts. "With the shows in the evenings, more people could see what they were doing."
With the changes, preparation of the barn took more time and volunteers.
"From my standpoint, this year took a little more help than normal," said Roberts. "People went above and beyond to help out and it was very much appreciated."
Cement walkways were constructed in the barn for better access to the animals. Swine were put in the barn with the cattle, said Roberts.
Goats were part of the fair this year. Previously, goat projects were shown and judged before the fair began.
"Goats are my biggest project," said Roberts. There were 60 head shown at the fair this year.
In addition to the goats, there were 14 bucket calves, approximately 35 beef, 16 dairy cows, 35-40 sheep, and 45-50 swine shown.
There were 24 poultry entries, 19 rabbits, and two pigeons.
Nancy Pihl, county family and consumer science extension agent, reported a great fair.
"I've heard a lot of positive comments from judges who were impressed with 4-H'ers work," said Pihl.
Exhibits numbers were similar to last year's, said Pihl.
"All of the judges showed up," Pihl said. In previous years, Pihl said there had been problems with some judges forgetting to attend.
Judges are selected from nearby counties.
Pihl also appreciated the volunteers who help each year.
"We couldn't run the fair without the help of superintendents, project leaders, and 4-H'ers," said Pihl.
Chuck McLinden, first-year Marion County Fair Board President, said all-in-all it was a good fair.
However, McLinden noted attendance was down this year.
Timing of the county fair may have been to blame for some of the low numbers.
"We competed with fairs in Abilene, Newton, and Salina, a small rodeo in Marquette, the end of the fair at Emporia, and Goessel Threshing Days."
Despite that, those who attended enjoyed many of the traditional events.
The Saturday night demolition derby was a favorite again.
"Our demolition derby was wonderful," McLinden said, "with a bigger crowd than last year."
However, attendance at the traditional rodeo, which ran Wednesday and Thursday evenings, was far less than anticipated.
"The cowboys were there but the people weren't," said McLinden.
The good news was the number of spectators Friday at the Women's Ranch Rodeo.
"It was a real good rodeo," McLinden said. "There were 10 teams. There was a team from New Mexico and Missouri."
Comments were made the women's rodeo was "one of the best-run they had been to," said McLinden.
The fair board made some changes in the location of 4-H livestock shows and the carnival.
"The livestock shows went real good. We had good comments in using the pavilion for showing and some shows in the evening," said McLinden.
In past years, the carnival was located on the east side of the fairgrounds, on the baseball field. Fair officials decided to move the rides and games to the west side.
"The carnival didn't do well at all. It was just too crowded," McLinden said. "It was a bigger carnival than in the past and was packed in."
Due to fuel costs, the carnival owners had to increase the cost of rides. One ride ticket cost $1.50 with some rides requiring two, three, or four tickets. However, wristband day on Saturday went well, McLinden said.
Overall, open class entries were the same with increases in some classes and decreases in others.
"The jury is still out in keeping them (exhibitors) there on Saturday," said McLinden, adding people were packing up at 2 p.m. Saturday because the crowds were small.
McLinden was appreciative of everyone's efforts and was optimistic about next year. He knows changes have to be fine-tuned.
"We made some changes to try to improve the fair," McLinden said. "Some of them worked, some of them didn't. We're going to evaluate the good ones and eliminate the bad."
