Becker County Fair Tab

BECKER COUNTY

FAIR WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY

COME JOIN THE FUN!

July 29-Aug. 1, 2015

at the

2015 BECKER COUNTY FAIR

4-Hers from all over the county unite, compete

July 29-August 1 Becker County Fair Grounds

Kid’s showcase their year of preparation

GRAND STAND • EVENTS • THURSDAY, JULY 30 • 7PM Miss Becker County Fair Pageant FRIDAY, JULY 31 • 7PM Demo Derby, Stock Car, Compact Pickup/ Minivan. Chain and Go Pickups SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 • 7PM Pick-up & 4 Cylinder Demo Derby

BY SAMANTHA STARK

Detroit Lakes Newspapers

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4-Hers have been working hard all year, on either mastering the perfect strawberry jam or researching avian influenza or working with a beef steer, for this week and to show the world what they can do.

The Becker County Fair is the big showcase event that marks the culmination of a whole year’s worth of hard work and preparation for all involved in the Becker County 4-H. “It’s a family event that brings the whole county together to see all the work these kids have done throughout the week,” said Kari Sayer, 4-H program coordinator for Becker County.

Sayer said that recent years have seen renewed and increasing interest and participation in 4-H. They currently have an exact total of 240 students signed up to show at the fair, many of whom have signed up for multiple events.

4-H has something for everyone

There are events and activities for 4-Hers as young as 5 to 19 years old.

The 4-H Cloverbuds program allows students in kindergarten through second grade to participate in fair activi4-H to page 3 ➤

4-H STUDENTS of all ages compete in events ranging from livestock showings to art projects. This year is claimed to have the largest amount of livestock ever recorded at the Becker County Fair.

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Becker County Fair 2015

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LIVESTOCK EVENTS are at a record high attendance of cattle, sheep, goats and more. “They have always been the most popular event at the fair,” Kari Sayer, 4-H program coordinator for Becker County. “We expect this year to be no different even though there will be no poultry.” Above, kids morval at the mother goat and her kid that are showcased for the dairy goat show. Left, a 4-Her competes in the egg and spoon walk/trot competition during the horse fun show in the arena. ­­­­➤ 4-H from page 1 ties. Although, their events emphasis on participation, learning and teamwork instead of competition.

The recent increase in 4-H participation has also drawn more interest to animal events.

“Beef showing has really grown over these past couple years that I have been here,” Sayer said.

Beyond the always-popular livestock showings, 4-H hosts a wide range of events to offer something for everyone.

A fashion revue, presentations on community service projects, fine arts displays, flower judging, photography competition and science projects are just a few of the other events for which students have been preparing.

Although, out of all of the non-livestock events, Sayer said that vegetable gardening is another area she has seen an increased interest in from 4-Hers.

“I was surprised at the amount of students interested in the vegetable gardening event,” Sayer said about the event having 23 participants last year and almost doubled this year to 50.

“It is such a good year for gardening. Also I feel that there has been an increase in family involvement, because a fifth grader can’t start a garden on their own,” Sayer said, as she has seen an increase in families working together on projects. “It shows that a lot more parents are helping and be-

coming interested in being involved.”

Volunteers lend a helping hand

Sayer said that the fair wouldn’t be able to have so many countless events if it wasn’t for all the helping hands of volunteers and families that take time to make sure the fair is a success.

“The success of the fair is all about the volunteers, adult volunteers and the 4-H students themselves. Each year is a success because everyone comes together and does that teamwork aspect. One person doesn’t achieve the success, it’s everybody.”

Aside from 4-H student volunteers, the fair has 42 adult screened volunteers.

“But there is actually more volunteers than that,” Sayer said, because every parent of a 4-Her is a volunteer whether they see themselves that way or not.

Sayer proudly stated that the best thing about 4-H is that “it’s a familyorientated organization” and everyone has to play a role in it for it to function as well as it has for over 100 years.

“It’s a generational and traditional activity,” Sayer said. “Parents remember all the experiences they had and everything they learned while being in 4-H, so they want that for their kids.”

It’s not uncommon to see former 4-Hers introduce the organization to their kids, in addition to helping them with projects.

In some cases, Sayer has seen par-

ents working just as hard as their kids, devoting their time to fundraising, fair operations and supporting their children as they get ready to show.

Though leaders, junior leaders and parents may tell or show members how to do the project, 4-H members are expected to learn to do things themselves. They are expected to select at least one project and complete one or more learning experiences related to the project during the year, because 4-H is all about learning-by-doing.

Through the variety of opportunities provided at fairs, conferences and other events, 4-H teaches students responsibility, teamwork, community service, friendship and leadership.

4-Hers have a busy week ahead

The 4-H events have been running two weeks prior to the actual fair festivities on July 13, 16 and 20.

Members of all ages participated in performing arts, cat and pet show, demonstrations, food revue, clothing judging and fashion revue.

Then the weeks before the fair, volunteers worked on setting up and cleaning, getting everything ready for fair festivities.

The week of the fair, July 29 through Aug. 2, 4-Hers, volunteers and other participants operate concessions and keep events running smoothly, all while taking the time to show off their own projects. Conference judging of general projects takes place, livestock shows

are scheduled every day and each member works a shift in the 4-H food stand.

4-Hers will be busy setting up, competing and then cleaning up at the fairgrounds.

“There is that sigh of relief on that last day when everyone had fun and we had a successful fair,” Sayer said.

“But then we have to start thinking about the next thing and getting our kids to the state fair.”

For some participants, a trip to the Minnesota State Fair will follow later in the month.

Last year, Sayer said, they sent 22 students to compete in livestock showing, eight for horse showing, 10 for dog showing, 19 in non-livestock events and 21 for state shooting competition.

They make an effort to ensure that all who qualify can make it down to state, even providing scholarships to those who have participated in fundraising during the year. They cover up to 50 percent of the costs, and pay for chaperones to ac-company the students.

More information about the fair, including a complete schedule of 4-H events, can be found on the Becker Count Fair’s website. For those interested in participating in 4-H, contact Sayer at her University of Minnesota’s Etension office number or visit 4-H.org.

“You can even just go to the fair and strike up a conversation with any of the 4-Hers there,” she said. “They are always happy to talk about everything 4-H has to offer.”

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Becker County Fair 2015

Jr. Miss Becker County Contestants

Sydney Goltz

of Detroit Lakes, is the 14 year old daughter of Charles & Patricia Goltz

Delaney Matejka

of Frazee, is the 14 year old daughter of Nathan & Becky Matejka

MacKenzie Wutzke

of Frazee, is the 14 year old daughter of Michael & Rebecca Wutzke

Erin Milligan

of Detroit Lakes is the 14 year old daughter of Mike & Shawn Milligan

Madison Hagen

of Detroit Lakes is the 14 year old daughter of Timothy & Jenny Hagen

Miss Becker County Contestants

Auroura Eckberg

of Detroit Lakes, is the 17 year old daughter of Ron & Sarah Eckberg

Hannah Strom

of Lake Park-Audubon, is the 17 year old daughter of Michael Strom & Joell Parkos

Kaitlyn Guhlke

of Frazee, is the 16 year old daughter of Michael & Coralene Guhlke

Myla Lewis

of Lake Park-Audubon, is the 16 year old daughter of Shannon & Mary Lewis

PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE

Alexandria Bigger

of Frazee, is the 18 year old daughter of Barry Bigger and Amanda Bigger

Hailey Sonstegard

of Detroit Lakes, is the 17 year old daughter of Angie & Scott Sonstegard

Molly Triggs

of Detroit Lakes, is the 17 year old daughter of Adam Triggs

Mollee Byer

of Frazee, is the 18 year old daughter of Mark & Cindy Byer

Maddie Grossman

of Lake Park-Audubon, is the 17 year old daughter of Keith Grossman

Thursday, July 30 7:00 PM Miss Becker County Fair Pageant at the Grand Stand

Becker County Fair 2015

5

4-Her sews up her final year Bailey Yliniemi leaves a memorable impact on 4-H

BY SAMANTHA STARK

Detroit Lakes Newspapers

Participating every year since first grade, Becker County Council Officer President Bailey Yliniemi is sad to celebrate her final year as a 4-H participant.

“She has always been the one of the first people to step up to help with what needs to be done,” said Kari Sayer, Becker County 4-H program coordinator. “She is such an amazing kid and has always helped with so much.”

Over the 13 years, she has competed in over 35 different events and state qualified each year since sixth grade.

“I really enjoyed learning, not just from the older kids, but from doing projects and working with my parents with projects,” Yliniemi said. “It is a lot of fun and there is a lot learning opportunities.”

Throughout her previous high school career, Yliniemi has kept herself busy. Besides her involvement in multiple events for 4-H, Yliniemi was also president of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), nationally qualified in FFA, involved in Agriculture Education, participated for four years at the annual Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society (NHS), and various Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) sponsored programs.

“Being involved in all those organizations helped me with leadership that I use for 4-H and it has just helped me grow as a person,” she said due to her extensive experiences with the wide variety of involvement.

Through 4-H, Yliniemi worked with kids through the Boys and Girls club BAILEY to page 6 ➤

CLOTHING AND FASHION REVIEW are two of the main events Bailey Yliniemi is competing in at the 2015 Becker County Fair. Left, Yliniemi’s clothing are being judged at last years fair. Bailey Yliniemi’s wool outfit (above) she made for the 2014 Make It With Wool competition for 4-H. The purpose of the contest is to promote the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics and yarns.

Material must be 100% wool or wool blend (minimum 60% wool or specialty wool fiber) for each fashion fabric used.

6

Becker County Fair 2015

BAILEY YLINIEMI has been involved in 4-H for 13 years and is sad to be wrapping up her final year competing at the Becker County Fair. Above, Yliniemi helps the younger 4-Hers decorate the 4-H float for the 2014 Water Carnival Parade. Left, Yliniemi helps sell items for the Northern Lights May Day Basket Delivery.

­­­­➤ BAILEY from page 5 in summer activities with clothing, sewing and crafts.

“I may like to do what people say is ‘girlie,’ but I love hunting and fishing and doing that kind of stuff too,” she said with a laugh, “and 4-H has really helped me learn that about myself.”

Yliniemi is not one for organized sports; she prefers to spend her freetime hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and generally spending all her time outdoors.

In 2011, she was accepted into Citizen Washington Focus (CWF) and had the opportunity to travel to the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Washington, D.C., for an 11 day leadership camp.

“You have to apply to get accepted and only 50 students from Minnesota get to go,” she said.

After graduating in 2014, Yliniemi did not just sit back and relax during her first year of college at the

University of Minnesota – Crookston.

She was a member of the U of M Wildlife Quiz Bowl Team, which recently won the championship trophy at Student Conclave. Her team competed against teams from nine other universities representing eight Midwestern states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin).

In addition, Yliniemi state qualified at the 2014 Becker County Fair with her citizenship project about BentProp and received grand champion at the Minnesota State Fair.

Last year, she competed in the VFW Voice of Democracy program and learned about the BentProp Project.

BentProp is a team of volunteers, trained specialists and professionals, each with essential expertise (history, aviation, diving, navigation), who are dedicated to locating and assisting with identifying American prisoners of war (POW) and missing in action (MIA) from

World War II and other conflicts around the world. This effort is done through research, searches, recoveries and other methodologies while coordinating with appropriate national authorities.

Yliniemi felt she had to help their efforts and started making T-shirts to sell for fund raising.

“My project was about all that I have done with BentProp and what I currently had raised in funds to bring the remains of MIAs and POWs home,” she said.

Yliniemi is still planning to participate in this year’s Becker County Fair in clothing and fashion review, in addition to judging and helping with a few of the events.

“Since I am a county ambassador, we help organize the fair and different events,” said added. “For clothing judging, I am helping the little girls learn how to walk. I will truly miss helping the younger members because it’s just fun to watch them grow as

4-Hers.”

Even though this is sadly Yliniemi’s last year competing, she is still planning on returning as a volunteer.

“I can be a co-leader or I can get training to become a shooting sports instructor or just helping out my club with different projects,” she added since her mother is the club owner.

“I can’t just leave, because I feel like 4-H has been part of my life for so long that it has now become a part of who I am. It’s not just about being at the fair, going to the fair and participating in projects, it’s about meeting people, friendships and learning.”

At the U of M, Yliniemi is majoring in natural resources with an emphasis in wildlife. After she graduates, she is planning to get her masters at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, then go on to achieve her dream as a wildlife biologist.

“4-H has helped me find my passion and what I love to do,” she said.

Becker County Fair 2015

7

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Becker County Fair 2015

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Becker County Fair 2015

RIDERS DEMONSTRATE SKILLS they will need to execute during fair competition.

SARAH WENDT being crowned 2014 Miss Becker County Fair.

Information provided by Detroit Lakes Newspapers

DONATIONS Cash is the much preferred “donated” item, as they’re able to buy food products from the USDA, at much reduced prices.

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Personal items are also welcome, shampoos, toothpaste, deodorants, toilet paper, diapers, etc.

DONATIONS CAN BE MAILED TO: 1308 Rossman Avenue, Detroit Lakes MN 56501 ITEMS CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT: 1308 Rossman Avenue or most area churches accept donations to the food pantry, they then pass them on to the local agency.

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Becker County Fair 2015

11

Fair bans birds in fear of fowl flu

Becker County Fair cancels all poultry shows and exhibitations

BY SAMANTHA STARK

Detroit Lakes Newspapers

More than 9 million birds in Minnesota’s (and total of 47 million in the U.S.) commercial and domestic poultry flocks have died during the 2015 avian influenza outbreak sweeping the western half of the United States. The birds were killed by the flu itself or euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease.

As a result, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health issued on May 15 a directive cancelling all poultry shows and exhibitions at county fairs, the state fair and other public gatherings of birds effective through the end of 2015. The decision was made as part of efforts to minimize the risk of potential further spread of the virus.

This conclusion has obviously affected the way 4-H will showcase poultry project members in the Becker County Fair.

“It really is disappointing for the poultry shows this year because they worked so hard all year to prepare,” said Kari Sayer, 4-H program coordinator for Becker County, as kids have already been preparing for the past year for their live poultry events.

Every kid that she currently talked to about the situation has said they were “disappointed about the limitations but understood it was an action that needed to be done to prevent further spreading.”

The State Fair Show Committee, selected youth, poultry partners and 4-H staff came together to develop the framework for Minnesota county and state fairs for the summer of 2015. This group decided to provide educational opportunities for 4-H members enrolled in poultry.

In response, Minnesota 4-H will still offer 4-H poultry project opportunities at county and state fairs. Although activities cannot include live birds, they will actively engage youth in meaningful and fun activities.

“Events that normally involve live birds now can’t so kids just had to think a little outside-of-the-box to find something else that can work,” Sayer said.

To increase awareness about the avian influenza at the fair, 4-Hers are encouraged to tie poultry and/or in-

POULTRY SHOWS AND EXHIBITATIONS have always been main events at the Becker County Fair since the begining.

Although due to the economic toll of avian influenza on Minnesota’s poultry industry climbing to nearly $650 million and over 9 million chickens and turkeys lost to the disease, the fair had to cancel all poultry events to prevent spread. formation about the virus into other events, allowing students to get a little more creative about their projects.

“We just hope that it will get the word out, because it may not be in the news much anymore but it still is affecting producers,” Sayer said.

Some 4-Hers that normally haven’t participated in poultry events are now involving poultry in their projects, Sayer said.

“We really encourage doing demonstrations and projects on poultry, whether it’s particularity on the avian influenza or any poultry category,” adding that two brothers are doing a demonstration on how to wash a chicken using a plastic flamingo.

Sayer said that they introduced the idea to previous poultry participants to take photos of their birds for the photography competitions or create posters about poultry for demonstrations since they couldn’t have live birds at the events.

“Also, in a hopes to push kids to do poultry related demonstrations, we are also offering students an instant ride to state if they participate in an avian influenza demonstration in hopes we will have constant demonstrations being showcased at state for awareness,” Sayer said.

In addition, county and state fairs are offering cash incentives to 4-Hers that do a demonstration on the avian flu. 4-Hers at the county

fair will receive a $30 cash incentive; this includes 4-Hers who are not yet Minnesota State Fair eligible. 4-Hers at the state fair will then receive a $50 cash incentive, which is $20 more than all other demos.

This means if a 4-Her does an avian flu demonstration at the county level and again at the state fair, they will receive a total of $80 in cash incentives.

“It is sad that it had to take such a tragic national event to provide kids with this particular opportunity to go to state,” Sayer said, “but once they go and do the demos, it will hopefully increase awareness to the public about the ongoing severity of the avian influenza.”

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Becker County Fair 2015

Expect another great Becker County Fair

BY SAMANTHA STARK

Detroit Lakes Newspapers

As we approach the 124th annual Becker County Fair, fair board president for 37 years Bob Sonnenberg said that this year’s estimated 20,000 fair attendees can expect another successful carnival that is sure to bring the community together.

Besides the well-known annual Miss Becker County Fair Pageant and demolition derbies, Sonnenberg said there are activities that every member of the family can enjoy, in and out of the big striped tent.

Many of the grandstand entertainments are making their first Becker County Fair appearance, while others are notable returners.

Comedic Magician Jerry Fraiser is the headline performer underneath the tent that Sonnenberg said the community is excited to see again this

year.

“He is expensive but really good; it’s money well spent,” Sonnenberg said. “We have requests for him to come back because he is really good and such a people’s person.”

In addition, Sonnenberg said that returning Ventriloquist James Wedgwood will have three performances on Wednesday that families love.

Outside of the tent, the midway carnival will be put on by Amusement FAIR ACTIVITIES to page 13 ➤

FAIR FUN FOR ALL AGES: The fair provides safe and exciting rides for everyone in the family. Above, a view from atop the big slide that overlooks the fairgrouds. Right, the well-known ride, “Zipper,” whips fair-goers around while others anxiously await to ride.

Becker County Fair 2015

­­­­➤ FAIR ACTIVITIES from page 12 Attractions, which the Becker County Fair has worked with in past years.

Sonnenberg said the company’s “rides are in excellent condition, clean and everyone is always friendly with the community.” He also added that they plan on renewing their contract with the group for three more years.

In addition, they have partnered with Becker County Food Pantry for eight years to offer discount armbands if families bring in non-perishable food items.

“They wanted to help and the community has always supported the deal,” Sonnenberg said. “We have done it for roughly seven to eight years, and as long as the carnival goes along with it each year then we will have it for many years to come.”

Besides the tent events and the carnival rides, the one thing that truly makes the fair stand out in the eventful summer is the animals and exhibits set up by local 4-H and FFA competFAIR ACTIVITIES to page 14 ➤

THE BECKER COUNTY FAIR serves as a highlight event for not only the 4-Hers and FFA competitors, but the entire surrounding communities. With countless activities, rides, carnival games and fair food, Fair Board Director Bob Sonnenberg said this will be a fair to remember. “We always do our best to make sure each year is a different exciting experience for everyone,” he said.

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­­­­➤ FAIR ACTIVITIES from page 12 itors.

“The exhibits are unreal, people from all over drool over the amount of exhibits we have,” Sonnenberg said. “They just get better every year.”

This year, the fair will have its record breaking amount of livestock.

“It’s probably because there will be no poultry this year and that is sad but understandable,” he said. “But we will have a lot of other farm animals and even live ponies that are new this year.”

But what makes the fair run smoothly each year are the countless amount of volunteers, from 4-H screened volunteers to just community families lending a helpful hand.

“Some of them just come in to help out in their free time and others we pay, but no matter the situation, we are beyond grateful for the help,” Sonnenberg said.

He added that the community makes the atmosphere but the volunteers are “the heart of the fair and what make the fair possible each year.”

Above the fried fair food, senseless rides and immeasurable amount of entertainment, Sonnenberg said the best thing about the fair is “seeing a young 4-Her’s smile on their face when they get a blue ribbon for a project they worked all year on.”

Becker County Fair 2015

CARS COLLIDE DURING THE ANNUAL DEMOLITION DERBY. Being one of the most popular events at the Becker County Fair, there will be two demo derbies held on Friday, July 31, and Saturday, August 1.

Becker County Fair 2015

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Becker County Fair 2015

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