2016 Cass County Fair

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FAIR July 31 - August 5

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Cass County Fair • August, 2016

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Fun for all

T

he 165th Cass County Fair kicks off July 31.

The fair nnounces the A U.S.A. Motocross Freestyle Championship Series and Law Enforcement Officers Day are among the new festivities added to this year’s Cass County Fair, which takes place July 31 to Aug. 6.

Organizers say these new events are designed to complement others in the lineup, including the annual monster truck show, the demolition derby and much more.

“The 165th Cass County Fair reflects the joy of our youth and the great history of the fair,” said Fair Board Director Gail Peterson. “We are proud to open our gates for seven days to thousands of guests.”

Fairgoers can keep up-todate on all the action by a “like” on the fair’s Facebook page or by following mycasscountyfair on Instagram.

A few events will take place before the official start of the fair, on Friday, July 29, including the 4-H dog show and light horse driving classes. On Saturday, July 30, entry of open class home arts and fine art exhibits and 4-H youth projects and non-livestock exhibit judging will take place.

At 7 p.m. the Cass County King and Queen and Prince and Princess contest will be held at the grandstand.

Opening day is Sunday, July 31, where there will be free gate admission. Earlier in the day, 4-H livestock will enter the fairgrounds as well as draft horse pulls in front of the grandstand and the youth still exhibit auction.

At 6 p.m. the opening ceremonies/parade will take place at the grandstand (cleared after) and the street legal pickup truck and semi tractor pull will follow at 7 p.m. in the grandstand, with seats costing $2.

Fair week events include: Monday, Aug. 1 — Veterans Day, free admission with veterans ID The fair’s carnival, operated by Elliott’s Amusements, will open at 5 p.m. with a special mega pass available for the week, where visitors can ride for three days at $35 or ride for six days at $50.

These passes can be purchased online at www.elliottsamusements.com or at the fair office.

4-H shows, including dairy, horse and pony, sheep, and dairy feeder, will take place throughout the day.

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Cass County Fair • August, 2016

Cass County Fair offers wide range of activities for children, adults

MAP OF CASS COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

Also taking place that day is the Cass County’s Got Talent show at 7 p.m. and the new Fair U.S.A. Motocross Freestyle Championship Series, also at 7 p.m. at the grandstand.

Tuesday, Aug. 2 — Kiddies’ Day, free admission for children 6-12 The farm tractor and antique tractor pull takes place at 9 a.m.

The 4-H horse and pony show, swine show, draft horse cart and obstacle classes throughout the day.

A special Kiddies’s Day program, and the carnival opens at 2p.m.

The evening grandstand event is the NTPA Regional National Tractor and Truck Pulls, which takes place at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 3 — Law Enforcement Officers Day, free admission for po-

lice officers with with ID Many 4-H youth shows continue, with horse, beef, rabbits, draft horse, and goats taking place Wednesday.

Carnival rides will again open at 2 p.m., with a karaoke contest taking place at 7 p.m. and, on a new night, the Super Kickers Extreme Bulls and Barrels taking place at 7 p.m. at the grandstand, with pre-show musical guest DeWayne Spaw.

Thursday, Aug. 4 — Seniors Citizens’ Day, seniors over 60 receive free admission with ID 4-H pony show, poultry show take place throughout the day, and the youth market livestock auction takes place at 10 a.m.

The carnival reopens at 2 p.m., and the fan favorite demolition derby takes place at 7 pm at the grandstand, with everything from wagons, se-

dans, 2WD trucks, vans, suburbans, mini trucks, minivans, and mini cars participating in the bedlam.

F r i d a y, A u g . 5 — Homemakers Day, homemakers admitted free until 9:30 a.m.

4-H Day activities will take place from 1 to 3 p.m., while the carnival opens at 2 p.m.

The Pedal Pull, Ag Olympics, Small Animal Sweepstakes, Showmanship Sweepstakes, and other events take place that day as well. Visitors can enjoy the SJO Super Cross Championship Series at 7 p.m. at the grandstand, and are invited to stay for fireworks at dusk.

Saturday, Aug. 6 – Family Day, $1 admission from noon to 6 p.m.

The youth small animal auction and more 4-H horse and pony and draft horse shows will take place

throughout the day. The carnival opens at noon, with $1 rides from noon to 6 p.m.

The Adult Alumni Sheep Showmanship Fundraiser will take place at the show arena at 6 p.m. The Monster Trucks return to the fair at 7 p.m. at the grandstand.

Daily grounds entertainment will take place throughout fair week, with shows including Kachunga and the Alligator Show, Lumberjack Enterprises and Nick’s Kids Show.

Many exhibits and vendors will be present throughout throughout the grounds, and the fair food open daily from 11 a.m. through 10 p.m.

“It will be a fabulous fair, and we are looking forward to celebrating the service of our volunteers, welcoming long-time fairgoers as well as first-time guests to our 165th event,” Peterson said.

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Cass County Fair • August, 2016

Leading the fair Two Cass County law enforcement stalwarts honored as grand marshals Story by TED YOAKUM

W

ith more than 65 years of service to the people of Cass County between the two of them, recently retired Cassopolis Police Chief Frank Williams and soon-toretire county Sheriff Joseph Underwood have more than earned the right to hang up their badges and enjoy civilian life.

However, they both have one last duty to serve before they ride off into the proverbial sunset — leading the opening parade as grand marshals of the 2016 Cass County Fair.

Underwood and Williams were named by the fair board to serve as the ceremonial heads of this year’s festivities. As grand marshals, the pair of Cassopolis men will be responsible for, among other duties, leading the parade that kicks off the 2016 fair’s opening ceremonies Sunday, July 31.

“The fair is the number one event here in Cass County, so to be selected as one of the grand marshals is quite an honor,” Williams said.

For both men, the honor is especially great, considering the fair has been a major part of their lives, they said.

“Growing up in Vandalia, the fair was the highlight of the season for me and my family,” Underwood said. “I always looked forward to it every year.”

Some of the sheriff’s earliest memories of the fair were of enjoying the annual demolition derby and tractor pull from the benches of the grandstand, he said.

In the decades since, Underwood’s relationship with the institution has changed, as he and Frank Williams his department worked every year to help coordinate security for the event with the fair board, he said. On top of having his officers patrol the fairgrounds during the week, he also ensured that his office maintained booths and hosted different kinds of safety demonstrations, Underwood said.

“The fair is a great gathering place for people to come to, and where they can feel safe at the same time,” he said.

The sheriff still found time every

Joseph Underwood year to enjoy the fair as a patron as well, regularly participating in animal auctions.

“You get all these letters from kids afterwards thanking you, not just for buying their animals but for supporting their efforts,” Underwood said. “It makes it all worthwhile.”

Williams has also frequented the fair over the course of his 41 years as Cassopolis Chief of Police, enjoying the demolition derby, auctions and ev-

erything else the fair has to offer. However, he often has to come during the day, as whenever he came during nights he would spend hours catching up with friends before he even made it out of the parking lot, he joked.

“I’m looking forward to the parade and doing everything else the grand marshals do during fair week,” Williams said. “I want to get involved (and see) how I can to make this fair another outstanding one.”

treat A traditional

Longtime vendor has history with local fair Story by ALLIE WILSON

A

s unhealthy as it may be, the food seems to be one of the most loved parts of going to the fair for many people.

What is sometimes even more preferable for those guests is when the vendor has been serving the area for a long time and has built relationships within the community.

Longtime vendors of the Cass County Fair, Mary and Rex Best have served the Cass County fairgoers for upwards of 23 years. The two are residents of Buchanan.

“When I met my husband when I was 14 he was pulling tractors for the Cass fair,” Mary said. “He’s been going ever since he was 12 — he’s 72 now if that gives you some perspective. I’ve been going about five years less than that.”

The Bests’ concession stand has been

nicknamed the “dessert wagon.” They sell everything from ice cream, sundaes, shakes, floats, apple dumplings and funnel cakes.

“I truly enjoy working with the public,” Mary said. “I look forward to the customers coming back each year and being able to visit with them while making them happy with the product.”

Ice cream is a popular treat in the summer, especially on those hot days at the fair. Before their time with the Cass County fair, the Bests had an ice cream stand in a mall.

“We had an ice cream parlor in the mall before we started in the concession business,” Best said. “It was Rex’s idea to extend from having the ice cream in the mall to the fair. And then it was Rex’s idea again to do funnel cakes.”

Mary Best said her and husband always enjoy their visitors and love being a part of American culture.

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Cass County Fair • August, 2016

Senior Day at the Fair

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Cass County Fair • August, 2016

Cass County Fair

SCHEDULE

Friday, July 29 6 p.m. — Youth & PeeWee Cloverbud dog agility and costume classes ...................................................................................... Show and sale arena 6:30 p.m. — Youth light horse driving classes .......................................................................................................................................... Draft horse ring Saturday, July 30 8 a.m. — Entry of open class home arts and fine arts exhibits ........................................................................................................ Lowe Exhibit Complex 9 a.m. — Registration and judging of all youth projects and entry of non-livestock exhibits Noon — Open class exhibits must be in place 3 p.m. — Youth non-livestock exhibits must be in place 7 p.m. — Fair royalty contest ......................................................................................................................................................................... Grandstand Sunday, July 31 Free gate admission 7 a.m. — Livestock may enter the fairgrounds Noon — Entry of open class floriculture and horticulture exhibits ................................................................................................... Lowe Exhibit Complex 1 p.m. — Draft horse pulls ............................................................................................................................................................................. Grandstand 2 p.m. — Youth livestock exhibits must be in place 2:30 p.m. — Youth still exhibit auction ................................................................................................................... Agnes Gregarek Community Building 4 p.m. — Open class floriculture and horticulture exhibits must be in place 5 p.m. — Youth draft horse evaluations ................................................................................................................................................. Draft horse barn 6 p.m. — Fair opening ceremonies and parade ............................................................................................................................................. Grandstand 7 p.m. — Street legal pickup truck and semi tractor pulls ............................................................................................................................. Grandstand Monday, Aug. 1 Veterans’ Day (Veterans admitted free) 8 a.m. — Paid gate admission begins 8 a.m. — Youth and Pee Wee Cloverbud dairy show .................................................................................................................... Show and Sale Arena 8:30 a.m. — Youth horse and pony — trail (a.m.)/dressage (p.m.) .................................................................................................................. Horse ring 9 a.m. — Youth and Pee Wee/Cloverbud sheep show ................................................................................................................. Show and Sale Arena 3 p.m. — Youth dairy feeder steer show ......................................................................................................................................... Show and Sale Arena 5 p.m. — Carnival opens 7 p.m. — Cass County’s Got Talent Prelims 7 p.m. — Freestyle Motocross Championship Series ................................................................................................................................... Grandstand Tuesday, Aug. 2 Kiddies’ Day (Children 6-12 free gate admission) 8 a.m. — Paid gate admission begins 8 a.m. — Scales open for farm tractors .................................................................................................................................................................. Infield 8:30 a.m. — Youth horse and pony show — English classes, hunter and equitation ..................................................................................... Horse ring 9 a.m. — Farm and antique tractor pull ............................................................................................................................................................ Grandstand 9 a.m. — Youth and Pee Wee/Cloverbud swine show ................................................................................................................. Show and Sales Arena 1 p.m. — Kiddies’ Day program ............................................................................................................................ Agnes Gregarek Community Building 2 p.m. — Carnival opens 5 p.m. — Open and youth draft horse cart and obstacle classes ............................................................................................................. Draft horse ring 7 p.m. — NTPA Regional National Tractor and Truck Pulls .......................................................................................................................... Grandstand Wednesday, Aug. 3 Law Enforcemnt Day (Law enforcement offers free admission with ID) 8 a.m. — Paid gate admission begins 8:30 a.m. — Youth horse show — halter and performance classes ................................................................................................................ Horse ring 9 a.m. — Youth beef show ........................................................................................................................................................... Show and Sales Arena 9 a.m. — Youth and Pee Wee/Cloverbud rabbit show 10 a.m. — Draft horse halter classes ...................................................................................................................................................... Draft horse ring

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Cass County Fair • August, 2016

Cass County Fair

SCHEDULE 1:30 p.m. — Youth goat show (all classes except cart, obstacle and costume ............................................................................ Show and Sales Arena 2 p.m. — Carnival opens 5 p.m. — Youth draft horse show ............................................................................................................................................................ Draft horse ring 6 p.m. — Youth horse and pony versatility ...................................................................................................................................................... Horse ring 7 p.m. — Karaoke event prelims 7 p.m. — Superkickers Extreme Bulls & Barrels with pre-show musical guest DeWayne Spaw .................................................................. Grandstand

Thursday, Aug. 4 Senior Day (Senior citizens over free admission with ID) 8 a.m. — Paid gate admission begins 8:30 a.m. — Youth pony show — Halter performance classes, English and western riding and reining classes ............................................. Horse ring 9 a.m. — Youth and Pee Wee/Cloverbud poultry show 9 a.m. — Senior Day program — presented by Cass County COA ...................................................................... Agnes Gregarek Community Building 10 a.mm. — Youth market livestock auction in order: Dairy feeder, beef, lambs, gallon of milk, draft horse, swine ..................... Show and Sales Arena Noon — Youth and Pee Wee/Cloverbud cat show ............................................................................................... Agnes Gregarek Community Building 2 p.m. — Carnival opens 3 p.m. — Euchre tournament ............................................................................................................................... Agnes Gregarek Community Building 5 p.m. — Draft horse classes — utility followed by obstacle ................................................................................................................... Draft horse ring 7 p.m. — Demolition derby (wagons, sedans, 2WD trucks, vans, mini trucks, mini vans, mini cars) ............................................................ Grandstand Friday, Aug. 5 Homemakers’ Day (Homemakers free gate admission until 9:30 a.m.)

8 a.m. — Paid gate admission begins 8:30 a.m. — Youth horse and pony gymkhana ............................................................................................................................................... Horse ring 9 a.m. — Homemakers’ Day program .................................................................................................................. Agnes Gregarek Community Building 10 a.m. — Pedal pull 10 a.m. — Youth livestock judging .............................................................................................................................................. Show and Sales Arena 1 p.m. — Youth interviews and demonstrations .................................................................................................................................................. Gazebo 1 p.m. — 4-H Day activities 2 p.m. — Carnival opens 2 p.m. — Ag Olympics .................................................................................................................................................................. Show and Sales Arena 4 p.m. — Youth goat show — Costume, cart and obstacle (following Ag Olympics) ..................................................................... Show and Sales Arena 4 p.m. — Small animal sweepstakes ........................................................................................................................................... Show and Sales Arena 5 p.m. — Pizza eating contest at Kate’s Pizza 6 p.m. — Showmanship sweepstakes .......................................................................................................................................... Show and Sales Arena 7 p.m. — Talent/karaoke finals 7 p.m. — SJO Motocross ............................................................................................................................................................................... Grandstand Dusk — Fireworks (rain date: Saturday) ........................................................................................................................................................ Grandstand Saturday, Aug. 6 Family $1 Day ($1 gate admission noon to 6 p.m.)

8 a.m. — Paid gate admission begins 9 a.m. — Youth horse and pony — costume classes ...................................................................................................................................... Horse ring 10 a.m. — Drive-in open draft and light draft cart and hitch show ........................................................................................................... Draft horse ring 11 a.m. — Pee Wee/Cloverbud horse and pony classes ................................................................................................................................ Horse ring Noon — Carnival opens 1 p.m. — Gymkhana championship followed by equine awards ceremony and last ride ................................................................................. Horse ring 6 p.m. — Adult alumni sheep showmanship fundraiser ............................................................................................................... Show and Sales Arena 7 p.m. — Monster trucks ............................................................................................................................................................................... Grandstand 8:45 p.m. — Home arts quilt raffle drawing ....................................................................................................................................................... Fair office Sunday, Aug. 7 8 a.m. to noon — Release of 4-H, home arts, fine arts, horticulture and floriculture exhibits .......................................................... Lowe Exhibit Complex

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Cass County Fair • August, 2016

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Cass County Fair • August, 2016

Born

to

shine

Miss Heart of Blossomtime a star on the stage, in the fair ring

Story & photos by TED YOAKUM

W

hile she may shine under the bright lights of the stage, be it as a competitive dancer or as a pageant contestant, it is on the dusty grounds of the show arena where Dowagiac’s Elizabeth Stockwell is at her best.

In what has already been a memorable year for the recent high school graduate — including competition in the recent Miss Blossomtime pageant — Stockwell has spent the last several weeks preparing her crop of animals for the 2016 Cass County Fair. She is looking to follow up on a highly successful performance at the 2015 fair, where she took home several grand champion showman awards.

A third-generation member of North Red Hill 4-H, Stockwell has been showing animals at the county fair since she was just 4 years old.

Starting off showing rabbits, over the years she has slowly grown her stable, which now includes chickens, goats, pigs and, most recently, cats, keeping her busy throughout the entirety of fair week.

“I’ve always loved showing and talking to others about what I love doing,” Stockwell said. “So adding more animals to the fold was a natural thing for me to do.”

Caring for her animals, on top of her busy schedule of school, dance and other activities has always been a careful balancing act for Stockwell. Her tasks grow even larger in the weeks leading up to the fair, where she must get her animals into top condition, carefully trimming

their claws or giving their coats of fur/ feathers a once over.

Just as important is the amount of studying and writing that goes into showing animals. Besides taking careful notes in her journals throughout the preparation process, she is constantly studying, even during fair week, to ensure she can answer the many questions directed to her by judges about her animals, she said.

“You can do a good job showing your animal, but if you know what you are doing, it helps you stand out and shows to the judges you know exactly what you are doing and why you are doing it,” she said.

Stockwell’s dedication to 4-H has done more than just earn her countless ribbons and trophies during fair week. It has also opened new doors for her.

Just last month, Stockwell was recognized by the Michigan State University Extension’s State Awards program for her series of essays about her experiences with 4-H, taking the top place in senior bird/poultry division.

Shortly after the award ceremony, she traveled to the nation’s capital as part of the weeklong 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus program. She and other 4-H members from across the country partici-

pated in workshops that explained how bills are created and passed through Congress, concluding with a mock lawmaking session, she said.

“It is really cool to watch her go out there and do the things you used to do as kid, but take them so much farther,” her mom, Denise, said.

With a 15-year-old brother and 8-year-

old sister also continuing the family tradition as members of 4-H, Stockwell has plenty of experience serving as a mentor (and rival, in some cases) for her siblings.

“Just do it,” Stockwell said, encouraging others to get involved with 4-H. “You may not want to clean the barn at the end of the night, but that is part of the experience.”

10

EXTREME entertainment Cass County Fair • August, 2016

Motocross group to wow crowds with stunts

D

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irt tracks, fast bikes and extreme, gravity-defying tricks are what guests are in for when they enter the grandstand at the Cass County Fair on Aug. 1.

Fairgoers will be close to the actionpacked track while the performers show their skills through a variety of shocking tricks.

In an effort to add more excitement to the motorized side of the Cass County Fair, the USA Motocross Freestyle Championship Series will be featured this year.

“We have been looking at this show for the last few years and felt that this year it would be a great addition,” said Brian Kuemin, fair board member.

“It seems like a great complement to our other motorized events.”

The motocross event will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children 6-12 years and $1 for children 5 and younger and can be purchased online or at the gates.

“RPM Promotions has been producing extreme sport shows and competitions since 1997,” said Daryl Baier, with RPM Productions. “The tours showcase a mixed performance group of talent with performers from accomplished veteran competitors to newly established rising stars.”

The show will feature a three-seg-

ment competition. The first is a qualifying round (or the technicals) in which the rider must execute a run consisting of tricks in all four directions (both sides of the bike, behind the bike and an over-the-bars trick).

The second segment is the “best trick” competition in which the riders break out their biggest tricks, including backflips.

The third and final segment is the finals run, which features each rider performing their best tricks in a single run on the course.

“With such a high level of riders this show should be a real crowd pleaser,” Kuemin said. “We are looking forward to a large crowd that will be in for a great show with the added benefit to meet the riders for photos and autographs following the show.”

In addition, two X-games competitors, Jack Rowe and Rich Kearns, will be performing.

“Key features are the shows range of tricks from technical to simply insane. One item of interest is the fact our competitions are scored by the audience using crowd noise and energy to determine our champion,” Baier said. “This makes the event exciting and it provides an unique experience for both the rider and the audience.”

The show will be between 75 and 90 minutes, followed by photos and autographs with the fans.

11

Cass County Fair • August, 2016

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Cass County Fair • August, 2016

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