Becker County Fair 2014

BECKER County

FAIR WEDNESDAY-SAturDAY

COME JOIN THE FUN!

July 30-Aug. 2, 2014

at the

2014 Becker county Fair

July 30-August 2 Becker County Fair Grounds

Grand Stand • eventS • THURSDAY, JULY 31 • 7PM Miss Becker County Fair Pageant FRIDAY, AUGUST 1 • 7PM Demo Derby, Stock Car, Compact Pickup/ Minivan. Chain and Go Pickups SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 • 7PM Pick-up & 4 Cylinder Demo Derby

During the becker county fair, 4-H students of all ages compete with projects in categories ranging from livestock showing to art (pictured above). Increased 4-H participation is expected for this year’s fair.

4-H students’ time to shine

The Becker County Fair is their ‘showcase event’

BY KRISTIN MILLER

kmiller@dlnewspapers.com

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Next week, the Becker County Fairgrounds will open the gates to a flood of visitors.

A midway with colorful lights and cheerful music, the smashing metal of the demolition derby and the delicious smells of fair food will all greet fairgoers.

But perhaps the most dedicated of all those involved with the fair, 4-H staff, volunteers and participants, are anxiously awaiting the start of this summer’s fair for another reason.

The event will mark the culmi-

nation of a whole year’s worth of hard work and preparation for all involved in Becker County 4-H. “I think of it as the showcase event,” said Kari Sayer, 4-H program coordinator for the county.

The fair gives all 4-H students the chance to show off what they’ve been working on during the year.

In the weeks before the fair, volunteers will be working to set up and clean barns and other facilities, getting everything ready for fair guests. During the fair, participants will operate concessions and keep events running smoothly, all while taking the

time to show off their own projects.

Participants represent a wide range of ages, interests There will be no shortage in participation for this year’s fair.

Sayer said that recent years have seen renewed interest and participation in 4-H. They expect almost 250 students to sign up to show at the fair, many of whom will register for multiple events.

4-Hers as young as 5 get in on the fun through participation in Clover Buds. The program gives 4-H Students to page 3 ➤

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Becker County Fair 2014

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Becker County Fair 2014

3

Livestock events remain popular for the students who participate in Becker County 4-H. Categories range from goats and sheep to cattle and poultry.

Above, two students show off one of the birds entered in the poultry competition.

Left, a 4-H student preps his cow for competition. Becker County 4-H Coordinator Kari Sayer says that participation in livestock events has seen renewed interest in recent years. ­­­­➤ 4-H Students from page 1 students in kindergarten through second grade the chance to come and show at the fair.

Though Clover Bud events aren’t competitive, Sayer said it gives the kids great starting experience. Many will go on to show in regular competition as they get older.

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

“Livestock has really grown over these past couple years,” Sayer said.

Horse showing has been one area in which they’ve seen a lot of growth, she said, adding that “last year we had a full barn…hopefully we do again this year.”

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

Participation in shooting sports has “skyrocketed,” Sayer said. This includes archery as well as gun sports.

A fashion revue, presentations on community service projects, fine arts displays and science projects are also among the events for which students have been preparing.

4-H also is giving participants a chance for some hands-on teaching experience, bringing back their ‘Kids’ Day’ for the fair this year. Taking place on Aug. 1, the event welcomes kids of all ages to come to fairgrounds and see what 4-H is all about.

Designed for “day-care aged kids,” Sayer added that the day provides a learning experience for both the 4-H students and their young guests.

Family ties, life lessons strengthened through 4-H 4-H is a long-time passion for many students and families involved with the program.

Students gain a strong sense of responsibility from participation in the program, Sayer said. She added that it’s not just getting ready for the big show, but taking part in other fundraising events and service projects throughout the year that provides the learning experience.

And these experiences are often passed down through generations.

Sayer said it’s not uncommon to see parents who used to participate in 4-H introducing their kids to the program.

Many families also see multiple children participate.

“It’s not always cost-effective,” she said about participating in any 4-H event, but those who do know that it’s worth it.

In some cases, she sees parents working just as hard as their kids, devoting their time to fundraising, fair operations and supporting their children as they get ready to show.

“Parents don’t just come and drop their kids off. They stay and volunteer themselves,” Sayer said, making 4-H a bonding experience for the whole family.

Beyond the Fair, 4-Hers work hard all year “Before and after the fair there are always things going on,” Sayer said.

Competition events for 4-H begin in the weeks before the fair’s official start-date, with demonstrations, a cat and pet show, and clothing and fashion revue taking place on July 14, 17 and 21, respectively.

The week of the fair, July 28 through Aug. 3, 4-Hers will be busy setting up, competing and then cleaning up at the fairgrounds.

And events continue on Aug. 16 with a dog show.

For some participants, a trip to the

Minnesota State Fair will follow later in the month.

Last year, Sayer said, they sent 17 students to compete in livestock showing, seven for horse showing, seven for dog showing, 13 in non-livestock events and 14 for the 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 accompany the students.

After all is said and done, 4-H students will still be working hard.

Though the fair might provide the greatest amount of visibility for the organization, effort takes place all year long.

And after all the ribbons are handed out and attractions are taken down, the experiences gained will last a lifetime.

More information about the fair, including a complete schedule of 4-H events, can be found on the Becker County Fair’s website.

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Becker County Fair 2014

Hannah Strom

Michela Sanders

Maddie Grossman

Anne Holzgrove

Sarah Schumacher

Sarah Wendt

Miranda Puttbrese

Brianna Blauert

Auroura Eckberg

Mollie Triggs

Paige Saarinen

Angelica Ballard

Janai Seley

Devyn Ullyott

Miss Becker County Fair to be crowned July 31 Meet the 2014 Miss and Junior Miss pageant contestants This year’s Miss and Jr. Miss Becker County Fair Pageant will be held on Thursday, July 31, at 6:30 p.m.

The reigning Miss, Sarah Labine, and Junior Miss, Catherine Jaroszewski, will be back to pass on their titles.

The theme for the evening will be “Living in this Moment.”

The 2014 Miss Becker County Fair contestants are as follows: Hannah Strom Hannah, 17, is the daughter of Michael Strom and Joell Parkos. She attends Lake Park-Audubon High School and will be singing.

Maddie Grossman Maddie, 16, is the daughter of Keith and Mary Grossman. She attends Lake Park-Audubon High School and will be performing a piano piece.

Anne Holzgrove Anne, 18, is the daughter of Dan and Shirley Holzgrove and will be performing a contortionist piece.

Bruce and the late Jill Blauert. She attends Frazee High School and will be performing a comedy act.

Sarah Schumacher Sarah, 16, is the daughter of Scott Schumacher. She attends Detroit Lake High School and will be singing.

Michela Sanders Michela, 16, is the daughter of Jason and Jessica Kropuenske. She attends Frazee High School and will be performing a lyrical piece.

Sarah Wendt Sarah, 16, is the daughter of Paul and Carla Wendt. She attends Frazee High School and will be performing a lyrical dance.

Auroura Eckberg Auroura, 16, is the daughter of Ron and Sarah Eckberg. She attends Detroit Lakes High School and will be dancing.

Miranda Puttbrese Miranda, 17, is the daughter of Cory and Kathy Puttbrese. She attends Detroit Lakes High School and will be singing.

Mollie Triggs Mollie, 16, is the daughter of Adam Triggs. She attends Detroit Lakes High School and will performing a poetry piece.

Brianna Blauert Brianna, 18, is the daughter of

The 2014 Jr. Miss Becker County Fair contestants include:

Paige Saarinen Paige, 15, is the daughter of Tiffany (Saarinen) Schermerhorn. She attends Frazee High School and will be singing.

Angelica Ballard Angelica, 13, is the daughter of Doug and the late Mary Ballard. She attends Lake Park-Audubon and will be playing a piano piece.

Janai Seley Janai, 12, is the daughter of John and Brenda Seley. She attends Lake Park-Audubon and will be singing.

Devyn Ullyott Devyn, 13, is the daughter of Rob and Diane Ulyott. She attends Detroit Lakes Middle School and will be performing a dance selection.

Becker County Fair 2014

5

In the months before the fair, volunteers from Becker County 4-H run free clinics to prepare riders. The clinics run through all the skills that will be tested during horesmanship events and save riders the cost of taking private lessons.

Volunteers train riders Clinics pass on wisdom, cut costs

BY KRISTIN MILLER

kmiller@dlnewspapers.com

Equestrian sports can quickly rack up big bills, but for Becker County 4-H riders, those costs are being defrayed by free clinics offered in the months leading up to the fair.

“We don’t turn anyone away,” said Randy Wold, one of the volunteers involved in running the clinics, during which experienced riders offer coaching on all of the different horse riding events to be held during the fair.

The clinics, held on Wednesday nights from April all the way up until the fair begins at the end of July, were delayed a little this year by spring rains. But now the riders are taking full advantage of the beautiful summer weather.

4-H students from Clover Buds all the way up to high school seniors and recent graduates are welcome to come down and get some practice in the arena.

And skill levels range from beginners who will be riding in their first fair up to veterans just coming back to brush up before the competition rolls around.

Randy said that what they’re doing here is unique among other area orgaHorse clinic to page 6 ➤

Megan Wold, a former 4-h rider, has remained a part of the organization. She now attends each clinic to demonstrate skills and pass on advice to the younger riders.

6

Becker County Fair 2014 ­­­­➤ Horse clinic from page 5

Megan Wold demonstrates a skill that riders will need to execute during fair competition. For Wold, riding has evolved from a childhood passion to a career path, and she hopes to one day put her experience to use riding on the professional rodeo circuit. Wold herself was a longtime member of 4-H, going on to win a state title during her last year of eligibility.

nizations, and said he has fielded calls from other 4-H leaders who would like to put on similar clinics for their own students.

“It makes a difference,” he said about the outcomes of the clinics for the riders. They have seven leaders who run the clinics, passing on their knowledge and decades of experience.

Randy’s daughter, Megan, now 20, who also helps out at the clinics, said she’s participated in 4-H events since she was a kid. She completed her final year of eligibility last summer but is back to assist some of the younger competitors.

“There’s a lot of new, beginner kids,” Megan said, and that means a lot of learning to be done.

During the clinics, she demonstrates competition skills and offers advice to newcomers.

Though finished competing in 4-H events, Megan hasn’t given up her love of riding.

“Some people think horses are a phase,” she said.

But it’s a phase she’s never grown out of and has become a career she is pursuing, with hopes of one day riding professionally on the rodeo circuit.

She is also the current president of the Lakes Trail Blazers Saddle Club.

Overall, she’s happy to be involved with the activity she loves, donating her time to the kids who are following in her footsteps. Good training, she said, makes a huge difference and lots of quality time spent with your horse.

“You don’t have to have an expensive horse,” she said, adding that the costs of purchasing a horse and taking private lessons are something that a lot of families can’t afford.

Money though, she said, doesn’t win competitions, and it’s all in the training and time spent bonding with your horse. That’s one of the reasons they put on these clinics, to help level the playing field for all involved.

Megan also encourages people to come and watch all of the horse events.

Though the arena is a little tucked out of the way, she said that last year they had their best-ever spectator turnout.

“People aren’t sure if they’re allowed down here,” Megan said, but added that bleachers have been set up near the competition space to accommodate fair guests.

Equestrian events take place throughout the fair, which runs from July 30 to Aug. 2.

Becker County Fair 2014

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Bringing Minnesota wilderness to the fair

Natural Resources Building to host a variety of kid-friendly events During the fair, staff from the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Pelican River Watershed District will be at the Natural Resources Building. A variety of fun and educational activities will be put on by the organizations.

The schedule of events is as follows:

1 to 3 p.m.: “Check out My Trailer” with the Pelican River Watershed District. Learn about what needs to happen for a trailer to safely and legally leave a lake.

2 to 3 p.m.: Fish Printing with MinnAqua. Press a fish image into paper, or use fabric paint to decorate a t-shirt.

3 to 4 p.m.: Minnow Races 4 to 6 p.m.: Nature Nerd

Wednesday, July 30: 4 to 6 p.m.: Nature Nerd.

Tamarac staff hosts a nature activity for the whole family.

Thursday, July 31: 11 a.m. to noon: Mussel Mania. Join DNR MinnAqua to learn all about mussels.

4 to 6 p.m.: Nature Nerd.

6 to 7 p.m.: Minnow Races with the Minnesota DNR.

Saturday Aug. 2: 10 a.m. to noon: Aquatic Invasive Species Crafts with the Pelican River Watershed District.

1 to 3 p.m.: “Bait my Hook” with MinnAqua. Learn baiting and knot-tying techniques.

4 to 6 p.m.: Nature Nerd.

Friday, Aug. 1: 11 a.m. to noon: Turtle Races with the Minnesota DNR, bring your own turtle or use one of theirs.

two boys lean in to get a better look at a huge snapping turtle. Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Pelican River Watershed District all host events for kids and families to learn more about area wildlife and conservation.

The Becker county fair midway will be filled with rides, food vendors and games for kids of all ages. Left, and don’t forget to visit all the animals at the Natural Resources Building. Baby animals are always a hit with the kids.

12

Becker County Fair 2014

Gearing up for a great Becker County Fair

BY KRISTIN MILLER

kmiller@dlnewspapers.com

As we approach the 2014 Becker County Fair, fair board president Bob Sonnenberg said that this year, fair attendees can expect a mixture of new attractions and old favorites.

“It’ll be quite a bit different underneath the tent,” Sonnenberg said, with new entertainment and acts featured on the fair’s Big Tent stage.

While he admits that it can be hard to compete with so many other great music and festival events in the Detroit Lakes area, the fair board does their best to give guests a unique experience year after year.

He said that many acts will be at the fair for the first time this year, along with one notable performer returning after a few years’ absence.

Jerry Fraiser, who puts on a combination magic and comedy show, will be coming back to the tent for three performances on Saturday, Aug. 2.

Performing at 2, 3:30 and 4:45 p.m., Sonnenberg said that Fraiser “always draws a crowd.”

Likewise, demolition derbies, a long time fair tradition and favorite, will be held on Aug. 1 and 2. Trophies and prize money will be awarded to winners in each class.

The carnival midway will be put on

by Amusement Attractions, which the Becker County Fair has worked with in past years. Sonnenberg said the company provides “good, clean rides,” and “nice people to work with.” He also said that they plan on renewing their contract with the group for future years of the fair.

And no county fair would be complete without animals and exhibits set up by local competitors hoping to take home a blue ribbon.

“It looks like a promising full-house for all exhibits,” Sonnenberg said about this year’s livestock events.

Competition kicks off on Wednesday, July 30, with 4-H, FFA and Open Class events taking place all throughout the fair.

The entertainment and exhibits have kept guests coming to the Becker County Fair for more than a century.

However, Sonnenberg said, the heart of the fair is in the people who make it happen.

He said that support from the comGearing up to page 13 ➤

The Becker County Fair serves as a highlight event for many surrounding communities. Fair Board Director Bob Sonnenberg said they do their best to ensure that return guests get a new experience year after year. Above, food stands, exciting exhibits and plenty of fair fun light up the midway, with Amusement Attractions providing the rides.

Right, onlookers get up close and personal with one of the calves entered in livestock competition. Buildings housing both open class and 4-H exhibits are open for the public to come and see all the hard work that competitors have put into getting ready for the fair.

Becker County Fair 2013

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­­­­➤ Gearing up from page 12 munity, fair board and volunteers really “create a fair atmosphere.”

Members of the fair board take vacation days from regular jobs to help set up and take down the fair every year.

“It’s hard to find people willing to do that,” Sonnenberg said.

They also see volunteers come out in the weeks before the fair to beautify the grounds with flowers as well as painting and doing other touch-ups around the fairgrounds.

Some of these volunteers are students from Becker County 4-H. A recent increase in 4-H participation has also brought new life to the fair.

“It was going the other way for quite a while,” he said about the number of students who participate in the program, adding that it’s a welcome change.

Sonnenberg said he sees plenty of “enthusiastic young people” from 4-H come out to both show and work at the fair. Although they may be in competition with one another, he said he still sees them working together to keep fair events running smoothly.

All those involved with the fair each year provide the necessary energy to keep it going strong.

“You need good people,” Sonnenberg said. He considers having the right people involved to be the most important element for any successful fair.

And he would know. Sonnenberg has been on the fair board for 35 years, and before that spent more than a decade working with his own kids in 4-H. He also said that putting on the fair takes effort all year round. Even as we approach the 2014 Becker County Fair, midway entertainment and other plans are already in the works for 2015.

Sonnenberg said that planning all the events is big job, but efforts definitely pay off every year when the fair rolls around.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun,” he said.

Plenty of fun: The fair midway will include plenty of games and prizes for those brave enough to play the game.

Above, a view from atop the big slide, not only provides a great view of the fairgrounds but also the anticipation of a fun ride down the huge slide.

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Two Cars collide during the Demolition derby. Fair organizers say that the derby is one of their most popular events, drawing large crowds year after year.

Becker County Fair 2013

Becker County Fair 2013

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Becker County Fair 2013

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