Oh, what to do, what to do… of course, the Fillmore County Fair! The fair is a changing, or actually, it is going back to it’s original purpose.
The fair began in Fillmore County in June 1885 for the purpose of farmers being able to show the success of their hard work. As time went by, and with the introduction and growth of 4-H, the farmer side, known as open class, of the agricultural exhibits decreased and disappeared.
The fair board began experimenting with adding these lost exhibits back into the fair with the Open Class Dairy show, which was has been a great success. Then an Open Class Jackpot, or trailer, Sheep show was added, and has been growing. Last, they added the Open Jackpot Goat show. This schedule has been moving along smoothly. The other species exhibitors have been talking more and more about having their own open shows. This winter the fair board, along with a group of interested exhibitors, and 4-H got together and began looking at the schedule to see how we could accommodate everyone. After a lot of trial and error in moving things around, a new schedule was made. To make this work, all 4-H events, inlcluding the 4-H auction, had to be completed by Friday night. This left two whole days to allow time for the open class beef, swine, horse, and rabbits to be added. The main thing to keep in mind is to watch the paper to see what day your tried and true events are on this year.
Come on and dust off your old go kart and come race Wednesday night. Time to be a kid again. For all super power people come see the bigger and better tractor and truck pull on Thursday. The tried and true rodeo is back on Friday night with a new twist — a firework display to close out the night. And closing out the grandstand, the bangin’, smashin’ demolition derby on Saturday night.
If you are a music lover, the beer barn area is the place for you, with Karaoke Joe on Wednesday, local favorite Troubleshooter on Thursday, area favorite 4 Play on Friday, and back from 2017, The Gopher Tones on Saturday.
New this year, “Hidden in Plain Sight” is an interactive adult learning display by the Southeast MN Drug Task Force. Learn about your weather at the warning display. Stop at the demonstration station in the commercial building and learn a new thing or two every day. And, Wild Things, an animal learning display, are back for the second year, bigger and better.
Something new and different for everyone to enjoy at the Great Fillmore County Fair!
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