Highlights:

A major highlight for 2008 was dedication and inauguration of the new Danan Lansing Memorial Building. Already the new building has shown its versatility, from providing exceptional facilities at Fair 2008 for all sheep and goat activities, to being the star building for the annual Northeast Iowa Antique Show, to hosting the annual Auxiliary/Fair Board Appreciation Supper, to initiating what promises to be an annual Northeast Iowa Consignment Auction.

Thanks to the initiative of the Lansing family and many friends, this beautiful new building has begun its service as a vital facility for decades of Fair and community activities.

As of mid-December, more than $101,000 had been donated to the new building, not counting the many days given by the Fair Board, the Auxiliary, and friends who painted green (even when they prefer red) who installed insulation, dug holes, hauled material, hammered, lifted, shoveled, and drove equipment. Special thanks, again, are due to Fair Board members Rich Hammel and Dale Smith, who worked with the Lansing family and committed long hours of planning, supervision, and physically-demanding labor to get the building ready for this year’s Fair.

With the new, totally handicap-accessible bathrooms and utility/service area, the new building is well-suited to many community events. Anyone who wants to reserve the new building for wedding receptions, reunions, club or association meetings or conventions, can contact WCAA business manager, Edna Schrandt at (563) 382-2019.

 
Membership Benefits:

Besides the satisfaction to know that you perpetuate and are a part of the good work that the Fair does each year to nurture young people and to provide community enjoyment, often in times of trouble (as so many experienced with the floods this past spring), you also get to vote for the people who plan, implement, and lead the work of the WCAA.  Please be sure to return the enclosed ballot for the Fair Board, and/or plan to be at the Annual Meeting in the Community Building on the Fairgrounds  Monday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m.

Tax Benefits:

Because the Winneshiek County Agricultural Association is a 501(c)(3) corporation, all donations to the WCAA are fully tax-deductible, whether directly to the WCAA, to specified projects such as the Danan Lansing Memorial Building, or in the form of any endowment funds. Anyone interested to initiate such a project or to establish an endowment fund can contact one of the WCAA Board members to begin the process.  With another tax year coming to a close, now is the time to take advantage of tax benefits available with the WCAA.

 
Another completion:

You will see on the southeast corner of the Show Barn new office space to be used by 4-H/Extension during the Fair, and as the racing “shack” during the regular racing season.  50-50 proceeds were used for the project.

Planning Fair 2009:

Planning is beginning now for Fair 2009. If you have suggestions for entertainment, special shows, or events for next year’s Fair, now is the time to make them known to Fair Board directors. You can check our website as listed in the heading above for listing of the Fair Board; and, after the Annual Meeting, you can see there the names of the three people to fill the positions on the Board up for election this year, as well as the new officers for 2009.  Also as it becomes available, we will post the complete Fair 2009 schedule.

4H/FFA Livestock Judging:

Unlike many American county fairs, this year Winneshiek County Fair was bursting at the seams with livestock entries.  This was an exciting year both for the numbers and quality of exhibitors.  We anticipate continued vitality among our 4H/FFA exhibitors.

Free Parking:

Primary entrance to the Fairgrounds this year was moved one block north to the extension of Water Street.  That way, we could block off the entrance from Main Street to provide handicapped parking along the fence west of the new sheep barn, and to utilize the space between the new building and the Community Building.  This arrangement worked well, and should continue next year.

Fair 2008:

This year’s Fair was a great success.  Numbers were up in virtually every area: attendance, entries, sponsors, button sales, exhibitors, donations, and concessions.  Visitors as well as exhibitors clearly seemed to enjoy themselves at the Fair, and Fair 2008 finished solidly in the black. You can get additional details at this year’s Annual Meeting. Winneshiek County Fair has become known for its quality among county fairs, and this year continued to build our reputation. 

Giving Thanks:

Every year, we need to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the many volunteers, without whom the Fair could not exist.  But now, at year end, during this Christmas season of thanksgiving, it is especially appropriate again to thank the farmers who brought their equipment to this spring’s flood scene, to save many people in the Decorah flats, including the Fairgrounds, from much worse conditions than we actually experienced.  Not only did the many friends of the Fair provide for this year’s Fair, but also for our beautiful new building, as well as the pumping equipment and labor to protect it and the grounds from this year’s historic flood.  The Fair Board extends to you our deepest appreciation, and hopes that you had a very blessed Christmas, and look forward to a happy and prosperous new year.