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The fair board trusts the DeGrootPostma family connection. “We don’t make decisions on our own. We always bring it to the fair board,” Jill said. The pair agreed they work well together. “Dad and I have respect for the fair board boundaries versus the family boundaries.” This time of the year, father and daughter are all-in, all the time, preparing for the Lyon County Fair which is July 18-21 in Rock Rapids. Details can be found at www.lyoncofair.com. Jill said, “People are so very invested in the Lyon County Fair. It brings the whole county together. There are no town or school boundaries when it comes to the fair – we all become one community that week.” 4-H and the fair experience help youth make positive connections so they can become productive citizens in the future, she said. “That’s why the volunteers do what they do. The more positive adults you have in a youth’s life, the more likely they are to succeed.” The county’s 311 youth in 4-H are led by 34 designated 4-H club leaders, plus many other volunteers on the livestock committees. “Whether it’s livestock, clothing, woodworking, welding or other project areas, we’re teaching responsibility and communication and hard work.” A key role Jill plays is to hire good judges. “We’re looking for judges who will interact with the kids. If the judge is good and explains to them ‘why,’ that helps them learn and have a good experience whether they walk out of the ring with purple, blue or red. The kids really aren’t competing against each other, they’re being evaluated on their project; and they need to proud of the project they create.” Wes said the approach judges take with youth is essential to get the kids to return with another project next year. “It’s especially important for those who are showing for the first time. When you’re nine or 10 years old and you’ve got a bucket calf, it’s very important to have a good judge who explains to the kids and really talks to them.”
Both father and daughter said “tradition” is the first word people think of for the Lyon County Fair. Like most fairs, food is a big part of the tradition. Food booths are operated by the Rock Rapids Christian Reformed Church; 4-H; the county’s pork, beef, dairy and sheep producers; and Rapid Speedway which includes local favorites of Carroll Street Treats and Pizza Ranch. In addition, there are big community meals on the evenings of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Monday’s meal features pork loin sandwiches, sweet corn and watermelon. Pork chops are served on Tuesday. Ribeye steaks and hamburgers are on Wednesday’s menu. At each evening meal, the local band Highway 9 performs under the tent. Local commodity producer organizations play a key role presenting the evening meals. A major improvement on the fairgrounds this year is a $250,000
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Hester and Wes DeGroot with the Lyon County 4-H Alumni Achievement Awards they received last year.
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A panoramic view of the Lyon County Fair in 1916. The barn on the far left and grandstands in the center still stand today.
Cattle exhibitors in bygone days of the Lyon County Fair.
A parade on the race track at the Lyon County Fair. upgrade to the 4-H exhibit building which has been enclosed with air conditioning added. It will also be available for year-round use with heat available. The Lyon County Riverboat Foundation was the largest contributor with additional support from the Lyon County Fair Board, Lyon County Extension and 4-H clubs. The improvements to the 4-H exhibit building are the latest in a continuing effort to maintain and update the grounds at the fair. “It’s great that the fair board is always looking to improve and invest to grow the fair,” Jill said. Fair board members deserve a lot of credit for the oftenunseen work they give behind the scenes, she added.
Livestock numbers ebb and flow among the species. In recent years, horse, poultry, goat, sheep and pet numbers have increased. Cattle and swine numbers remain strong. While dairy numbers are down substantially from 20 years ago, they’ve been holding steady at about 60 head for several years even as dairy shows have been disappearing at other county fairs.
