Page 2B | JULY 26, 2022 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD & BENTON COUNTY NEWS
2022 BENTON COUNTY FAIR
When the carnival comes to town, IT DOES NOT TRAVEL FAR Forcier family business is Gopher State Expositions BY SARAH COLBURN | STAFF WRITER
When the carnival officially comes to town, it may not be coming from that far away. Randy Forcier, of St. Cloud, and his brother, Tony, of Sauk Rapids, are in their 17th year of leading Gopher State Expositions. From the Zipper, to the Tilt-A-Whirl, to the carousel, they bring it all, and they contract out to include all things for the midway from games to food trucks. “The best part about it is being part of the reason people are there and having a good time,” Randy said. “We’re there and people are making memories; there’s always people having fun. We always need fun.” Randy was not born yet when his parents, Arthur and Shirley Forcier,
bought the company from Forcier’s grandfather. It was 1968 and his grandfather had five rides. His parents grew the business, and when the brothers took it over in 2005, it had grown to 30 rides and a couple of food stands. The size has stayed the same since the siblings took over the company, but through the years, they have replaced some of the pieces and upgraded others. “Some of it has become more spectacular PHOTO BY SARAH COLBURN because that’s what has Tony Forcier (left) and Randy Forcier been built the last 15 stand inside a building where years,” Randy said. they make updates to the Tornado The Gopher State Exride. The two are third-generation positions route includes owners of Gopher State Expositions. 22 weeks and locations around Minnesota. Last year, due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions, the they will do the same this Randy said, the company company stuck to events year. stays within an hour or operated in the state and For the most part, so of home to provide events. The route, he said, looks different than it did 20 years ago, but it changes very little year to year, with maybe one or two events being added or subtracted in a season. “We look forward to going to some of these events, and these committees and festival chair people, they become friends,” he said. As they set up and beHours gin to run, they chat with Mon. – Thur. 11-2 pm festival organizers and Fri. – Sun. 10-2 pm catch up on each other’s kids and families. The 320-252-0451 crew, he said, has their favorite places to eat in dannysdugout.com each town, and they are 736 S Benton Drive, often on a first name baSauk Rapids sis with the person at the
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local automotive repair store who can get them a fuel filter on the spot. “It’s never boring; there’s always something, some problem to solve,” Randy said. The brothers have a crew of 25 employees who travel with them, and they supplement occasionally with temporary staff at their events. Typically, the team travels in a group though not everyone can go at once. While the bulk of staff may move campers and trucks, others go as soon as the equipment becomes available to move. The campers are on site so the event staff have a place to stay for the week. Employees who do not drive are shuttled to the various
sites. Most of Gopher State Expositions events are held locally, within Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Champlin, St. Cloud and Little Falls, but they also frequent places like Madison and St. Charles. While most of the event staff choose to stay in the campers for the week, some do commute back and forth to home depending on the location. The team travels with about 13 campers that accommodate ride, food and game staff. Most of their full-time employees range in age from 19 to 25. Randy and Tony grew up traveling the state with their parents.
Forciers page 3B
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Page 4B | JULY 26, 2022 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD & BENTON COUNTY NEWS
2022 BENTON COUNTY FAIR
BENTON COUNTY FAIR
Schedule of Events *Activities are subject to last minute changes or substitutions. Monday, Aug. 1 9-10:30 a.m.
4-H conference judging of exhibits for livestock families 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 4-H conference judging of all other exhibitors 2-7 p.m. Open class agricultural, craft exhibits entry day
5-11 p.m. 5-11 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 2 8:30 a.m.
6-9 p.m.
Open class agricultural, craft exhibit judging 9 a.m. 4-H swine judging – Show Arena 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. Ag in the Classroom – FFA Barnyard Noon to 2:30 p.m. Harper Chord – Cottonwood Stage Noon to 9 p.m. Ag Craft, Commercial, Discovery and Heritage buildings open Noon to midnight Beer Garden open 1 p.m. 4-H beef judging – Show Arena 3 p.m. Presentation – Heritage Building 3-5:30 p.m. Kinzer Creek Dou – Cottonwood Stage 5 p.m. Presentation –
6 p.m. 6 p.m.
6:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7-10:30 p.m.
Heritage Building Bingo Midway open – regular admission 4-H lamb lead – Show Arena Ranch Rodeo by Birch Coulee Arena – Grandstand David Lumley – Cottonwood Stage 4-H sheep judging – Show Arena Presentation – Heritage Building Switch – Beer Garden Stage
Fair schedule continued on page 6B
Getting to the fair Driving directions: If traveling on Highway 23, turn north onto Wilson Avenue in east St. Cloud and proceed north. When Wilson Avenue curves slightly, the fairgrounds will be one block to the east. Turn right. If traveling on Highway 10, turn west onto St. Germain Street between the Highway 23 and Benton Drive South interchanges. Proceed west on St. Germain Street until Wilson Avenue. (Do not cross the Mississippi River). Turn north, or right, onto Wilson Avenue. When Wilson Avenue curves slightly, the fairgrounds will be one block to the east. Turn right. Parking: On grounds parking at the fair is not free. Attendants will assist and collect money along the perimeter fences. Paid parking is also available by entering the fairgrounds via 12th Street North, the northern edge of the fairgrounds near the barns. Free shuttle bus: A daily shuttle bus is provided during the fair. The shuttle bus picks up and drops off at the main entrance to the fairgrounds from – VFW Post 6992, 901 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids – with free parking provided at the VFW. The hours of the free shuttle are: Tuesday, Aug. 2, through Friday, Aug. 5 – 2 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 6 – 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday, Aug. 7 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ride Metro Bus: The fairgrounds are accessible via Metro Bus. The Sauk Rapids route stops just one block from the main gate at the intersection of 14th Avenue South and Second Avenue, also known as Wilson Avenue.
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2022 BENTON COUNTY FAIR
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Page 8B | JULY 26, 2022 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD & BENTON COUNTY NEWS
Fair schedule continued Thursday, Aug. 4 8 a.m.
4-H poultry judging – Show Arena 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Ag Craft, Commercial, Discovery and Heritage buildings open 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. Ag in the Classroom – FFA Barnyard 10:30 a.m. Tractor driving contest – Grandstand pit area 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids fun activities – 4-H Exhibit Building 11:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Sunflower Puppet – Cottonwood Stage Noon 4-H Aerospace show – Horse Arena Noon to 5 p.m. Midway open – regular admission Noon to 6 p.m. Reptile and Amphibian Zoo – Activity Area Noon to midnight Beer Garden open 1 p.m. Cake baking contest – Ag Craft Building 1 p.m. 4-H rabbit judging – Show Arena 3 p.m. Presentation – Heritage Building 3:30-6:30 p.m. Andy Austin – Cottonwood Stage 3-5 p.m. 4-H livestock exhibits released – barns cleaned and buildings closed 5 p.m. Open class livestock and horses check-in 5 p.m. Presentation – Heritage Building 5-11 p.m. Bingo 5-11 p.m. Midway open – wristbands 6 p.m. Truck pull – Grandstand 6 p.m. Horse Barn open 7 p.m. Presentation – Heritage Building 7-10 p.m. Gig Noonan – Cottonwood Stage 8 p.m. to midnight Pandemic – Beer Garden Stage
Fair schedule continued on page 10B
2022 BENTON COUNTY FAIR
Learning through 4-H
Heinen family prepares for fair BY MAURA WENNER STAFF WRITER
Dave and Robin Heinen signed up their kids – Holly, 14, Adam, 12, and Sam, 9 – for 4-H when they were 5 years old. And, the family has dabbled in a variety of livestock and static (non-moving) projects ever since. The three children en will participate in the Benton County Fair Aug. 2-7 as members of the Shooting Stars 4-H Club. “It is important for them to be in 4-H because they learn a lot, and not just about stufff pbut about people helpng as ing each other, working a team,” Robin said. The Heinens look through the 4-H category book each year to decide which projects the kids will participate in. “We all just finished training our dogs which is not for the fair, but it’s part of 4-H,” Holly said. “ I have shown miniature horses for two years. I show goats every year, and
PHOTOS BY BY MAURA WENNER
(Above) The Heinen family – Adam (from left), Holly, Robin, Dave and Sam – gather on their farm July 20 in St. Joseph. The three kids have been members of 4-H since they were 5 years old and are current members of the Shooting Stars 4-H Club in Benton County. (Left) Adam Heinen trains his goat to stand with (L the correct posture July 19 at his family’s property in St St. Joseph. The Heinen children begin training their spring-born goats in June each year. spring
I have also shown chickens and a rabbit. Then, I have done cake decorating, cookie decorating, and arts and crafts. This year, I am doing paintings. I always pick random projects I think would be cool to do.” Adam picks a variety of projects as well. Among other projects, this year he
plans to enter an informative board on coins and show goats at the six-day fair. “This year, I am doing a woodwork project,” Adam said. “I’m making an American flag table with the stripes stained and glued together. Next year, I plan to show a steer. He isn’t old enough this
year.” While Sam has shown goats as well, he has also created a rocket and a terrarium. This year, Sam plans to present a flower arrangement, a painting and an information board on birds among other projects.
Heinen page 9B
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Fair schedule continued Friday, Aug. 5 9 a.m.
Open class poultry show – Poultry Barn 9 a.m. 4-H horse pleasure show – Horse Arena 9 a.m. 4-H small pets show – Cottonwood Stage 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Ag Craft, Commercial, Discovery and Heritage buildings open 9:30 a.m. Open class sheep show w– Show Arena 10-11 a.m. Livestock demonstrations – barnss 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. Ag in the Classroom – FFA Barnyard 11 a.m. 4-H llama show – Show Arena 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids fun activities – 4-H Exhibit Building Noon to 3:30 p.m. Saintrio – Cottonwood Stage Noon to 5 p.m. Midway open – wristbands Noon to 6 p.m. Reptile and Amphibian Zoo – Activity Area Noon to midnight Beer Garden open 1 p.m. Soup/Chili cooking contest – Ag Craft Building 3 p.m. Free corn feed sponsored by the Benton-Sherburne Corn Growers 5 p.m. 4-H Fashion Revue – Cottonwood Stage 5 p.m. Tractor pull – Grandstand 5-11 p.m. Bingo 5 p.m. to midnight Midway open – regular admission 7 p.m. Police K-9 demonstrations – Activity Area 7-9 p.m. Wild Goose Cloggers – Cottonwood Stage 8 p.m. to midnight Mason Dixon Line – Beer Garden Stage
What does my colored 4-H ribbon mean?
Fair schedule continued on page 13B
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Purple
A purple ribbon is awarded to entries that meetsall standards and the exhibit and workmanship are extraordinary and need no improvement. The exhibitor has shown complete understanding of what, how and why the exhibit w a s done, and has a thorough knowledge of the subject.
Special ribbons:
Counties may award special ribbons to Cloverbud exhibitors (those too young to participate in 4-H) and to recognize participation and achievement in a project area, event or activity.
The exhibit meets most standards, and the exhibit is well organized and exor ecuted. The exhibitor can explain what, how and why the exhibit was done and has good knowledge of the subject.
Red:
The exhibit meets some standards and some improvements may be needed. The exhibitor can somewhat explain what, how and why the exhibit was done and has a fair knowledge of the subject.
White: W
The exhibit meets few standards s and lacks the quality of other exhibits. The exhibitor cannot o adequately a explain the what, how and why of the exhibit. Possibly a they have overlooked a safety flaw. t Improvement is needed in either Im the t exhibit, the knowledge of the subject or both. s
Ann Olson is the University of Minnesota Extension Educator for Benton County 4-H Youth Development. Olson said the county is allowed a certain number of advancements to the Minnesota State Fair based on county participation levels. Judges create a state fair line up, and youth determine what they would like to enter based on the order judges put in place. Each 4-H’er selected to advance to the state fair may bring one livestock and one general exhibit.
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Page 12B | JULY 26, 2022 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD & BENTON COUNTY NEWS
2022 BENTON COUNTY FAIR
Back this year: Remembering Our Fallen
Making a return appearance at the 2022 Benton County Fair is the Remembering Our Fallen Tribute Towers display. The memorial honors fallen service members who died overseas since 2001 while fighting the global war on terror. The traveling display includes both personal and military photos of servicemen and servicewomen on 5-by-10 foot vertical banners. The memorial will be open during fair hours from
10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, through 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7. Remembering the Fallen debuted at the Benton County Fair in 2017 before being unveiled nationally in Washington, D.C., and at the Pentagon the following September. The display is brought to Benton County by Patriotic Productions, a tax-exempt charitable organization which was founded by Bill and Evonne Williams, of Omaha, Nebraska.
The Williamses created Remembering Our Fallen after reading an article in the Omaha World-Herald newspaper about a father who feared his son, Sergeant Josh Ford, had been forgotten after his passing in Iraq. The couple took it upon themselves to create a banner memorial for the fallen from the state of Nebraska before eventually creating the nonprofit organization and expanding to include fallen heroes from across the country.
Pay tribute to the red, white and blue! A military parade will take place at 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 7. Military organizations will march throughout the fairgrounds before hosting a short commemorative ceremony near the 4-H Exhibit Building.
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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD & BENTON COUNTY NEWS | JULY 26, 2022 | Page 13B
2022 BENTON COUNTY FAIR
Have fun at the Benton County Fair!
Fair schedule continued Saturday, Aug. 6 8 a.m.
Open class goat show – Show Arena 9 a.m. 4-H horse judging, horse training game show – Horse Arena 9 a.m. Open class rabbit show – Rabbit Barn 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Commercial, Discovery Heritage and Ag Craft buildings open 10 a.m. Rooster crowing contest – Cottonwood Stage 10 a.m. Open class dairy judging – Show Arena 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Farm Bureau Scavenger Hunt – Little Red Barn 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids fun activities – 4-H Exhibit Building 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. Ag in the Classroom – FFA Barnyard Noon to 2:30 p.m. Shotgun Mafia – Cottonwood Stage Noon to 5 p.m. Midway open – wristbands
Noon to 11 p.m. Noon to midnight 1 p.m. 2 p.m. 3 p.m. 3:30-6:30 p.m. 5 p.m. to midnight 6:30 p.m. 7-10 p.m. 8 p.m. to midnight
Bingo Beer Garden open Minnesota hot dish cooking contest – Ag Craft Building Talent show – Cottonwood Stage Open class llama show – Show Arena Marshall Star Band – Cottonwood Stage Midway open – regular admission Demolition Derby – Grandstand Kelly Kid Acoustic Country with Mike Kindel – Cottonwood Stage Honey Badgers – Beer Garden Stage
Sunday, Aug. 7 10 a.m.
4-H horse grand entry parade – Horse Arena 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. Ag in the Classroom – FFA Barnyard 11 a.m. Open class beef show – Show Arena
11 a.m. Noon to 2:30 p.m. Noon to 4 p.m. Noon to 5 p.m. Noon to 5 p.m. Noon to 5 p.m. Noon to 5 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 3-5 p.m. 5 p.m.
Military parade Deputies – Cottonwood Stage Kat Blue – Beer Garden Stage Ag Craft, Commercial, Discovery and Heritage buildings open Midway open – wristbands Beer Garden open Bingo Autocross – Grandstand Muffin baking contest – Ag Craft Building Sawyer’s Dream – Cottonwood Stage Closing of the 109th annual Benton County Fair
Scheduled activities are subject to last minute cancellations, changes or substitutions. Check bentonfairmn.com and Facebook for the latest information.
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Page 14B | JULY 26, 2022 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD & BENTON COUNTY NEWS
2022 BENTON COUNTY FAIR
Learning from display
Sportsmen’s club wildlife exhibit returns in new way BY MAURA WENNER | STAFF WRITER
The Sauk Rapids Sportsmen’s Club wildlife exhibit will be back at the upcoming Benton County Fair. However, those who stop by the exhibit annually will notice some parts of the more 50-year-old building may look different. “We try to change it up every year with different animal displays,” said Jeff Diehl, Sauk Rapids Sportsmen’s Club president. “For the first time in many years, we are not able to get any of our usual animals.” For many years, Hemker Park & Zoo, of Freeport, brought their animals to the fair for the club to display. Fairgoers often look forward to seeing the variety of common critters which has included porcupines, skunks and deer. For a variety of reasons, the zoo will keep their animals at home this year. In response, the sportsmen’s club has been busy looking into other
possibilities to use as a substitute. “We possibly will buy some pheasants and other birds through a regular distributor,” Diehl said. While buying the birds for display is an option, it is not yet a guarantee. But, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources also is considering new ideas for the exhibit. “For the first time, the DNR is going to bring their Wall of Shame to put up in our building,” Diehl said. “It is something they have through their Turn in Poachers program.” The DNR regularly takes the 30-foot display to fairs and other events to spread the word regarding poaching. The display includes mounted animals, all of which were poached by violators and claimed by the DNR. A written piece goes along with each poached animal regard-
ing where the animal was illegally taken, by whom, fines, jail time and other interesting information. “It is a neat deal and a unique opportunity for us,” Diehl said. “We have room for the display on the wall indoors.” The wall will be set up where the animal cages have been during past years. A staple piece of the wildlife exhibit, and
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Diehl’s personal favorite, are the fish tanks. “Those are pretty spectacular,” Diehl said. “I am really glad the tanks are holding up because it is a really neat display.” The tanks house over 20 species of fish. “The sportsmen’s club members get a permit from the DNR to catch the fish,” Diehl said. “Then, we transfer them to the tanks for our exhibit. We go out together as a group to collect the fish, so it’s fun.” For the species the club members cannot come up with as easily, the DNR collects instead by way of electrofishing at local bodies of water such as Little Rock Lake. “Typically, if we are looking for specific riverine species, we might also go down to the St. Cloud access by Wilson Park,” said Eric Altena, DNR area fisheries supervisor. “We catch whatever the members need such as carp, suckers, buffalo, sometimes channel cats, sometimes red house –
FILE PHOTO
Fish are displayed in a tank inside the Sauk Rapids Sportsmen’s Club exhibit at the Benton County Fair. Fish species will return to the 2022 fair but the tradtional wildlife display will be replaced with new features such as the Turn in Poachers program Wall of Shame.
stuff like that.” Diehl considers the exhibit one of the top attractions at the fair due to its convenient location near the midway and food vendors and its entrance at both ends which allows people to pass through while exploring the fair. “I think my personal feeling is that if we get people to see the critters under the water, they might be able to either develop a connection or have enough curiosity that they would want to go catch some of them,” Altena said. “Which is in all our best interests because that means they want to go out and preserve the resources as much as we do.” In addition to the work the club puts into the exhibit each year, they also have a reputation for putting time and money toward other as-
pects of the fair such as partnering with the Benton County Agricultural Society on projects. “A lot of the reason for what we do is to raise awareness, get kids in the building to see what the different fish look like,” Diehl said. “A place they can get a look at the native animals, see what different animals look like.” The building also benefits the sportsmen’s club by allowing them to spread the word about what they do in the community. “We always are sure to have two or three club members inside the building at all times to answer questions people may have and also offer information on our different programs,” Diehl said.
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2022 BENTON COUNTY FAIR
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