View from the Cab: Fair time is here
By: Kent Casson
The weather has to be 95 degrees with a heavy shower or two this week because it is time for the Livingston County Ag Fair.
This summertime tradition runs Wednesday through Saturday (July 20-23) at 4-H Park near Pontiac which is home to plenty of shade trees. Look for our family in the dairy barn as Kasen will have his three calves there, Moonlight, Milky Way and Buttermilk. The barn will practically be our family home for those four days.
Overall program enrollment is over 350 and of those, 245 youth will be exhibiting livestock, general projects or both.
“We have 1,575 projects enrolled just on the 4-H side,” explained Alcha Corban, 4-H youth development educator for Woodford and Livingston counties. “I think that’s a pretty awesome number for our 4-H projects.”
Fair visitors will see everything from robotics and cooking to art and electricity. There is a large woodworking section this year along with interior design. Corban believes the beef and dairy barns will be full.
“It is great to see all of those numbers,” she said.
In addition to the numerous fair exhibits, there are several entertainment options each night.
“We are really excited to be bringing back the ag games,” noted Corban. “That is coming back the Thursday of the show.”
Other highlights include Wednesday’s king and queen crowning and World Championship Rodeo from Broken Horn Rodeo Company, Friday’s Kiddie Tractor Pull and tractor pulls from the Illinois State Pullers in the grandstand and Saturday’s demo derby at 7:30 p.m. from Ramer Race Promotions at the grandstand.
Groups of volunteers have hosted an agricultural fair in Livingston County since 1930. The current group consists of 20 volunteers who maintain 4-H Park, coordinate rentals, repair buildings, provide a campground host and sponsor fundraisers. The board sponsors the annual scholarship program for 4-H members and its goal is to continue the longstanding tradition and improve on it.
Officers for the fair include president Rick Tucker, vice-presidents Phil Kiefer and Jesse Mackinson, treasurer Jim Brown and secretary Steve Rapp. Directors are Ryan Biernat, Joe Bolen, Sharlene Bullard, Addie Folkerts, Caleb Freese, Adam Girard, Susie Hart, Mark Killeary, Erik Heidenreich, Phil Kratochvil, Korie Lyons, Austin Mehalic, Dallas Mehalic, Melissa Rapp and Jeff Stark.
Have fun at the fair this week!
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