Fair showing a family event

Longstanding traditions spanning multiple generations make the Fairbury Fair a true family event.

“We have a lot of kids,” said fair board member Kimberly Petersen about Wednesday’s swine show. “All of their moms and dads are here.”

The fair had a record number of hogs this year, according to Petersen. Junior showmanship was held in the morning while the open show took place following a lunch break.

“Usually, we are over by 3 but I think it will go a little longer today with the numbers we have,” added Petersen.

Preparations for fair livestock shows include setting up pens, getting the show ring ready to go and taking the time to get all of the animals checked in and weighed the day before.

Eight-year-old Nate Swenson won this year’s Fairbury Fair rooster crowing contest on opening day. He also shows pigs and sometimes ducks. He has received champion duck and champion pig at other fairs in the past. So, what does it take to get a bird to crow?

“Crow at it,” Swenson said.

Other top finishers in the rooster crowing included Addi Ramsey, Remington Hammack, Allen Hammack and Channing Durbin. Autumn Bolen entered 22 chickens in the fair and received champion male cock. She also showed at the recent McLean County Fair in Bloomington.

Right next door to the poultry barn, floral department superintendent Ruth Teubel was overseeing the work in Floral Hall. The building includes vegetables, fine arts, culinary, textiles and flowers.

“If you want to se the finest in the area, you come here,” explained Teubel.

If you have any questions or would like to one day enter something yourself, Teubel says someone is usually in Floral Hall who knows what is going on. The displays are open until 9 p.m. each evening of the fair.