Senior Day at the Douglas County Fair

from Douglas County Fair Essentials 2022

Here’s the Beef: Cattlemen to Serve Steak

Century farms are honored each year on Senior Day at the Douglas County Fair. From left, Fair Board Member Brad Brejcha, Dale Hart of Spruce Hill Township, and Alicia Johnson and Alaine Johnson, whose farm is in Holmes City Township. (Alexandria Echo Press file photo)

Seniors who visit the Douglas County Fair on Senior Day will get the full shine and sparkle of a brand-new fair, as Senior Day is scheduled for the first day of the fair this year.

Senior Day normally takes place on the second day of the fair, but the Fair Board decided to move it up this year to Wednesday, said Fair Board Member Molly Maudal.

“There’s nothing like the first day,” she said. On Senior Day, those age 65 and over have reduced price admission of $7. Nathan’s Old-Time Band will play polka and country music on the Hubbard Radio Stage, and Knute Nelson Heritage Square will offer plenty of interest to those aged 65 and up.

Agencies that serve seniors will be back at the fair this year, said Kathryn LeBrasseur, who is organizing the events. They’ll explain about various services available to seniors, such as fuel assistance. Seniors will also be able to get free special landline phones and cell phones that are designed to be easier to see, dial and hear. They are paid for through a special telephone tax for those who can’t see or hear as well as they used to.

So many people stop at the Heritage Square booths during the fair that the agencies say they “get more accomplished that day than a week at the office,” LeBrasseur said.

“It’s just fantastic,” she said. “They haven’t been able to come out in a couple years. This is the first time in three years they have been able to come out.”

On Thursday, seniors will get a chance to meet the county’s emergency management director, Julie Anderson, which LeBrasseur said is particularly timely, given this summer’s deadly storms.

Seniors will also hear how the Douglas County Library can help them get online. With so many things going online now, library staff can help them set up an email account or send documents. A staff member will bring useful technical equipment, she said.

BALANCE AND STRETCH SCHEDULE

The Nelson Wellness Center will offer a Balance and Stretch class near the Knute Nelson Heritage Stage on Senior Day at the fair. The sessions are set for: 12 to 12:15 p.m. 1 to 1:15 p.m. 3 to 3:15 p.m. 4 to 4:15 p.m.

Music has become a big attraction at other stages on the fairgrounds, and this year, the music on the Knute Nelson Heritage Stage has been coordinated with other performances to prevent overlap.

Seniors might want to consider making Heritage Square their home base during the fair, LeBrasseur said. It’s close to the livestock and 4-H buildings, and they can grab a bottle of cold water for free, courtesy of Henry’s Foods.

Senior day also is the day when Century Farms and Outstanding Seniors are recognized.

Of course, every day at the fair, there’ll be lefse for sale, as well as rommegrot and rosettes in the log cabin.

LeBrasseur has been around fairs her entire life, as her father used to harness race at the Douglas County Fair, and she also judged canned goods at the Alaska State Fair when she lived there.

“We probably have one of the best county fairs going,” she said.