A year of
dedication by Fair Board members and friends.
A highlight of this year’s Fair will be the dedication and inauguration of the new sheep barn
and general purpose building in memory of our beloved Danan
Lansing.
Thanks to the initiative of Danan’s family and many friends, together with the hard work
of Fair Board members, volunteers, and many contributors, this beautiful new building
will provide vital facilities for Fair activities for decades to
come.
A draft listing of contributors to the project will be available in the building
during the Fair, so that contributors can make certain that each listing is correct
the way it should appear on the final list that will be permanently displayed in the building.
Special thanks 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.
Because the Winneshiek County Agricultural Association has received classification
as a 501(c)(3) corporation, all donations to the WCAA are fully tax-deductible,
whether directly to the WCAA, to projects such as the Danan Lansing Memorial Building,
or in the form of any endowment funds. Anyone interested to establish such an
endowment fund should contact one of the WCAA
Board members.
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 have seen this spring), you also get what has become
a popular benefit in the form of the enclosed “Fair Bucks” coupon to redeem for some of
the outstanding food items at the producers’ food booths.
Chances Are:
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.
From now until the drawing on Saturday, July 12th during the PRCA rodeo, you can
purchase raffle tickets to win a $1100 LCD hi-definition TV. The 42” TV was donated
by Sims TV & Electronics to benefit the Danan Lansing Memorial Building Project.
Tickets are available from any Fair Board or
Auxiliary member @ $1 each, 6 for $5.
Have Fun at the Fair:
You can check our website as listed in the heading above for a complete schedule
of Fair 2008 events, or
look for a copy of the Fair brochure at sites that sell Fair buttons.
Fair 2008 Entertainment:
The Beatles are coming to town!
Chicago-based American English will be doing a tribute to the Beatles that will
take us back to the heydays of Beatlemania.
But that will seem quite contemporary compared to the Antique Tractor Parade
that precedes the Beatles on Wednesday night of the Fair.
By popular demand, teen country star Chase Mitchell returns on Tuesday night,
preceded by the Starseeker Karaoke Finals. And, of course, large numbers
of people have come to expect and to enjoy the Upper Iowa Speedway stock car
races, and the Midwest’s top PRCA
Pro Rodeo & Show.
The music tent is busy all week with local entertainment talent, including this year
the new Guitar Hero Contest.
4H/FFA Livestock Judging:
The new sheep barn was finished just in time. Unlike many American county fairs,
Winneshiek County Fair is bursting at the seams with livestock entries. This should
be an exciting year both for the numbers and quality of exhibitors. With the addition
of the new Danan Lansing Building arena, pressure is reduced on the other facilities,
so that judging can flow better despite this year’s increased numbers.
Continued Free Parking:
Primary entrance to the Fairgrounds this year is being moved one block north
to the extension of Water Street. That way, we can block off 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. The Saddle Club is providing extra help to direct traffic
and to help non-handicapped people park.
Food, Food, Food:
Winneshiek County Fair has become known for its good food, including its
innovation of the well-loved “pork chop on a stick.” This year is no exception
as the food stands continue to deliver on the expectation that all visitors
will find something to satisfy their tastes at the Fair.
Competitions:
From the skidloader rodeo and girls’ barrel racing to Ag Olympics and
the pie-eating contest, there is something to stir the competitive spirit
in everybody whether participant or observer. Watch for the new additions
this year, such as the BBQ Baby Back Ribs Contest, the Desert Pizza
Contest, the Homemade Salsa Contest, the Eat-Local Cook-off... mm, mmm...
Exhibits & Demonstrations:
Watch especially for the Bud Jacobson Memorial Horse Driving Show on Friday,
for the Decorah Fire Department demonstration on Saturday, for the
Thunder Road Drill Team on Wednesday, and for the French Fry Oil to
Tractor Fuel on Friday.
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 this year, giving thanks seems
especially appropriate to the farmers who brought their equipment to the 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 the beautiful new building, as well as the
pumping equipment and labor to protect it and the grounds from this year’s historic flood.
Thank you!