BY TIM HENNAGIR | STAFF WRITER
County fairs not only make great memories, but they help 4-H youth grow into successful adults.
Adult mentors provide guidance, ask questions and share learning experiences and encourage.
Hands quickly become dedicated to the goal of larger service. Being a mentor is what it is all about.
“It’s great to be able to hang a plaque or ribbon, but knowing my kids are teaching another kid is what it’s all about,” said Vicky Molitor, referring to her children Austin’s and Morgan’s efforts to helping others in 4-H.
Vicky’s husband, Corey, is the swine supervisor at the Benton County Fair. He said showing pigs needs to be a positive experience.
Other parents and kids chase summer sports tournaments. The Molitors raise awardwinning pigs.
“We learned everything on the fly,” Corey said, referring to the family’s initial efforts with 4-H swine production. “We want others to learn from our mistakes. I grew up milking cows, and my parents told me they didn’t have time for 4-H. We got up every morning at 6 a.m. to milk. We never had pigs.”
When the family started 4-H, they showed chickens.
“The first year, we just had hatchery stock,” Corey said.
Vicky is now a Minnesota licensed breeder and has hatched about 300 chickens this year.
A visit to the swine barns at the Minnesota State Fair got Corey thinking about raising pigs.
“I thought it would be fun to do swine,” he said. “I thought it wouldn’t be that time invasive. Little did I know. One year, we got a couple of pigs from a neighbor down the road and we started.”
Corey said shadowing Kenny Beehler in the Benton County Fair swine barn improved his pig knowledge.
Molitors page 3B
“I really enjoy the program,” he said. “It shows kids how to work the animal. Last year, Morgan had the grand champion Berkshire breeding gilt at the Minnesota State Fair. She wants to defend her title. Austin wants a title for Berkshire barrow.”
Austin and Morgan are members of the Benton County Mayhew Lakers 4-H Club.
Austin is the current club president and will be a junior this year at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. Morgan graduated from Cathedral High School in St. Cloud and will be attending Concordia College in Moorhead this fall.
“Learning about leadership is the most important thing,” Austin said, looking back on his 4-H experience. “When you first join, it can be a little overwhelming, but you make friends and learn how to help others.”
Morgan said before she joined 4-H, she was shy.
“Being involved with 4-H really pushed me to be a better person,” she said. “I really want to help others.”
Now, she helps weigh and train a neighbor’s pigs.
“Our kids started in 4-H just wanting to keep competing at the county level,” Vicky said. “Their goal was just to make weight for the county auction. That’s a great goal to have. Now the kids have advanced goals. The second year they showed pigs, they wanted to make a trip to the Minnesota State Fair.”
The Molitors’ welldesigned swine shed is currently home to seven pigs.
Molitors page 5B
A pig and Tank sees
Vicky said Mabel, Tank, Possum and Maverick are all littermates born in early February. They vary in weight from 224 to 248 pounds.
Dave and Daisy are littermates also born in early February. These pigs vary in weight from 228 to 242 pounds.
Maisy was born just one day after Dave and Daisy and currently weighs 250 pounds.
“We’re hoping to keep their rate of weight gain going,” Austin said. “We’ll switch their feeds around a little bit to get them the best they can be. Hopefully, we’ll do really well at the Benton County Fair and get another state fair trip out of them.”
Morgan said Vicky has developed a special rate of gain worksheet that helps to calculated the pigs’ predicted fair weight, and the animals are just about at the weights they need to be.
During a July 8 morning swine walk around the Molitors’ yard, Austin shared a secret involving one of his key pig training tools.
Marshmallows are used to train the pigs when they are young, he said.
“Actually, some of the pigs don’t like them,” Austin said. “We also use vanilla wafers, pudding and vanilla frosting. They come running for those.”
Austin said two of the Molitors’ barrows will be placed on the 4-H auction.
During county and state fair time, Corey said he places emphasis on showmanship, feed and water, and skin and hair conditioning.
“Each week, I spend about an hour-and-a-half on the phone with our breeder down in Iowa,” Corey said. “Every Sunday night after we get done weighing our pigs, I send him videos and he gives us feedback.”
Vicky said the call is a family group chat via cell phone. The next week of pig care is carefully planned.
“Corey and I can’t drive a pig as well as Morgan and Austin,” she said. “Every pig we have is different. These kids are with the pigs every single
day for a couple of hours. We don’t have that type of time to commit to them, but our kids certainly do.”
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Wednesday,
Ben Semler, owner of Brainerd-based I Saw It in Minnesota, is excited about bringing his precision chainsaw carving to this year’s Benton County Fair.
It is the only event he will do this year. Semler will start carving wooden critters and other fun items at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, in the Activity Area.
He will be busy until 9 p.m. Semler is planning a special treat for a select number of kids during the downtime between his carving sessions.
“I’m going to carve their names in a piece of wood,” he said. “I will burn it and sand it for them. They will have something to take home from the Benton County Fair.”
Semler said he is also going to make carvings of a small sitting bear, a cardinal and an eagle that are 3 feet to 4 feet high.
When he is carving for paying customers, Semler said he normally uses four or five chainsaws on a daily basis.
ur ta t ving it in
Semler is planning on using three saws during his fair carving demos, which will include standing a log that is 2 feet or 3 feet high and carving it in under an hour.
“I’m going to create plenty of excitement for 35 or 40 minutes,” he said. “The cool thing about watching me carve at the fair is you get to see the entire process in a shorter amount of time. You are going to get to see a white pine log transformed.”
Wednesday, Aug. 2 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cottonwood Stage
Sherwin Linton is a legendary folk, country and rockabilly music icon and recording artist known for telling “The Johnny Cash Story” throughout his career.
Linton, his wife Pam, and their band The Cotton Kings will perform twice between 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, on the Cottonwood Stage.
He initially formed the Fender Benders, a popular ballroom and nightclub act that rocked and rolled from Minnesota to the west coast in the early to mid-1960s.
Linton journeyed to Nashville in 1966 where he cut “Cotton King,” a story song that catapulted him to the top of the country music charts.
In 1986, Linton wrote and recorded a major Christmas hit “Santa Got A DWI.”
The song with an anti-drunk driving theme may be a perennial Christmas favorite.
Linton has been inducted into the South Dakota Musicians Hall of Fame, the National Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame and the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.
“We played the Benton County Fair years ago on a rainy August day,” Pam said.
In the late 1960s, Linton and his band performed at the Carriage Supper Club in Sartell. In the 1970s, he performed at Office Bar in St. Cloud, Pam said.
More recently, he has been a featured act at the Pioneer Place Theatre. Linton has a large fan base in the St. Cloud area, Pam said.
Sunday, Aug. 6 Noon to 5 p.m. | Activity Area
The Benton County Fair’s closing day will feature cutting-edge entertainment.
Owner Patricia Prescott is bringing her Nice Axe throwing mobile trailer to the Activity Area from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6. She is making her first fair visit.
“Minnesotans head outdoors when it gets nice outside,” she said. “I asked my sons if they would build me a gypsy-themed trailer. I’ve had it for over a year now.”
Nice Axe Throwing’s main location is at 79 Third St. NE in Waite Park.
The entertainment venue has 14 ax targets, Prescott said. Technically, the axes she uses are pound-and-a-half hatchets that are continuously sharpened and replaced.
“Women love this activity,” she said. “They go crazy for it. They like it more than men and the activity is empowering. There’s a cool sound when the ax hits right.”
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.
free. Attendants will assist and available orth, the of
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.
e
the fair. The shuttle bus fairgrounds
Ride the 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.
Schedule from page 4B
Wednesday, Aug. 2
8 a.m. 4-H dairy goat judging – Show Arena
9 a.m. Draft horse show –Grandstand
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Ag Craft, Commercial, Discovery and Heritage buildings open
11 a.m.
4-H dairy judging –Show Arena
11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. Ag in the Classroom –FFA Barnyard
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Farm Bureau Scavenger Hunt –Little Red Barn
11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. I Saw It In Minnesota –Activity Area
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sherwin Linton –Cottonwood Stage
Noon to 5 p.m. Midway open –wristbands Noon to 11 p.m. Beer Garden open
1 p.m. Cookie baking contest – Ag Craft Building
1 p.m. Miniature horse show – Horse Arena
3 p.m. Down the Mississippi River: Part I by Doug
Ohman – Heritage Building
3-11 p.m. Bingo 3-6 p.m. Gig Noonan–Cottonwood Stage
5 p.m. Down the Mississippi River: Part II by Doug Ohman – Heritage Building
–
Down the Mississippi River: Part III by Doug Ohman – Heritage
BY TIM HENNAGIR STAFF WRITER
R. J. Kern, an awardwinning, international fine art photographer, has a unique Benton County Fair connection.
Kern has appeared at the August event in Sauk Rapids several times.
He has taught fairgoers smartphone photography, and during his 2022 visit, he captured an iconic image of 4-H participants and others by the show arena.
The image is part of a new photography project entitled “The Last Fair.”
Kern visited Sauk
Rapids before Memorial Day weekend to present the Benton County Agricultural Society Board of Directors with a copy of the print.
“Santa on Vacation” is the actual title of the framed photograph that is hanging in the fair board office.
Kern said this particular photo project involved asking someone what they would miss most if the fair in question was the last one they would attend.
His interview subject was a real-life Santa Claus who volunteers at womens shelters and nursing homes in central Minnesota.
Kern’s unique style documents the interaction of people, animals and cultural landscapes.
“The Benton Coun-
ty Fair is my favorite,” he said. “It’s a good size and a blend of not-toosmall and not-too-big. It’s kind of like visiting Fenway Park.”
Kern said his Benton County Fair photo presents a visual time capsule that is completely documentary.
ual mpletely a world and
“It captures the celebration of winning and responsibility of caring for the animals,” he said. “As I mentioned in a ‘Na-
Cottonwood Stage entertainment
Tuesday, Aug. 1, noon to 2:30 p.m.
Magic Village Shows
Tuesday, Aug. 1, 3-6 p.m. - Todd “Elvis” Anderson, Classic Cowboy
Tuesday, Aug. 1, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
David Lumley
Wednesday, Aug. 2, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Sherwin Linton
Wednesday, Aug. 2, 3-6 p.m.
Gig Noonan
Wednesday, Aug. 2, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Andy Austin
Thursday, Aug. 3, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Benjamin Raye & Erica Hanson
Thursday, Aug. 3, 3-6 p.m.
Costelle & Hipps Duo
tional Geographic’ article, I just hope county fairs will be around in 100 years and youth will be learning from the animals they’ve raised.”
In 2016, Kern created portraits of 4-H members and animals from around the state. He specifically focused on participants who did not win a grand champion ribbon.
Four years later during the pandemic, Kern revisited the same young people at home on their farms and in pastures and barns.
“The Unchosen Ones” depicts the bloom of youth and mettle of kids who grow up on farms.
Kern said the portraits capture a particular
America, a rural world and time in life and the pressure of tradition.
During the 2018 Minnesota State Fair, Kern’s “The Best of the Best” project recorded champion animals.
The series of handcrafted portraits explore the relationship between the present and the past, changes in breeds as well as advances in photographic technology.
“Photography is writing with light,” Kern said. “It’s all about looking at the qualities of light and its different characteristics in terms of color, contrast and directionality. You take the moment or make it.”
Kern will not be able to attend this year’s Benton County Fair. Prior to leaving for Europe and a
Thursday, Aug. 3, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Kinzer Creek Duo
Friday, Aug. 4, 11:30 am. to 2:30 p.m.
Rockin Woody
Friday, Aug. 4, 5 p.m. 4-H Fashion Revue
Friday, Aug. 4, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Curto Drink Wine & Chopp
Saturday, Aug. 5, 11: 30 am. to 2:30 p.m. - St. Cloud Music Academy
family vacation, his plan was to complete several county fair visits this season for the “The Last Fair” project.
So far, Kern has visited the following county fairs: Beltrami, Benton, Blue Earth, Carver, Mahnomen, Norman, Pope, Ramsey, Redwood, Wadena and Winona. His visits involve community engagement.
“It’s an ongoing project,” Kern said. “I’m honored the Benton County Agricultural Society acquired a copy of my print. I love the Heritage Building’s history, the joy of the demolition derby and all the foods on a stick. Your fair is beautiful and special.”
Saturday, Aug. 5, 3-6 p.m.
Dos Offbeats
Saturday, Aug. 5, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Marshall Star Band
Sunday, Aug. 6, noon to 2:30 p.m.
Deputies
Sunday, Aug. 6, 3-5 p.m.
Sawyer’s Dream
Schedule from page 9B
Friday, Aug. 4
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 –Show Arena
10-11 a.m. Livestock demonstrations –barns
10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. Ag in the Classroom – FFA Barnyard
11 a.m. 4-H llama show – Show Arena
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Rockin Woody –Cottonwood Stage
11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reptile and Amphibian Zoo – Activity Area
Noon to 5 p.m. Midway open – wristbands
Noon to 11:30 p.m. Beer Garden open
1 p.m. Friends in Harmony vocal performance – Heritage Building
1 p.m. Favorite vegetable cooking contest – Ag Craft Building
1-3 p.m. Kids fun activities – 4-H Exhibit 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
5-11:30 p.m. Midway open – regular admission
6 p.m. 4-H Llama Costume Show
6:30-9:30 p.m. Crystal Breeze –Cottonwood Stage
7 p.m. Police K-9 demonstrations – Activity Area
8-11:30 p.m. HoneyBadgers – Beer Garden Stage
Saturday, Aug. 5
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
Open class dairy judging – Show Arena
Stage
Noon to 4 p.m. Kat Blue – Beer Garden Stage
Noon to 5 p.m. Ag Craft, Commercial, Discovery and Heritage buildings open
Noon to 5 p.m. Midway open –wristbands
Noon to 5 p.m. Beer Garden open
Noon to 5 p.m. Bingo
Noon to 5 p.m. Nice Axe Throwing –Activity Area
1 p.m. Rodeo – Grandstand
1 p.m. Tri-County Beekeepers Association honey extraction – Heritage Building
1 p.m. Muffin baking contest –Ag Craft Building
3-5 p.m. Sawyer’s Dream –Cottonwood Stage
5 p.m. Closing of the 110th annual Benton County Fair
Scheduled activities are subject to last-minute cancellations, changes or substitutions. Check bentonfairmn.com and Facebook for the latest information.
Tuesday, Aug. 1, 6:30 p.m. - Monster Trucks and Beater Cross Racing
Wednesday, Aug. 2, 9 a.m. - Draft Horse Show (Free admission)
Wednesday, Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m. Demolition Derby
Thursday, Aug. 3, 6 p.m. - Truck Pull
Friday, Aug. 4, 5 p.m. - Tractor Pull
Saturday, Aug. 5, 6:30 p.m. Demolition Derby
Sunday, Aug. 6, 1 p.m. Bulls, Barrels & Broncs Rodeo
Information from the University of Minnesota Extension
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 was done, and has a thorough knowledge of the subject.
: 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.
Blue : The exhibit meets most standards, and the exhibit is well organized and executed. 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 : The exhibit meets few standards and lacks the quality of other exhibits. The exhibitor cannot adequately explain the what, how and why of the exhibit. Possibly they have overlooked a safety fl aw. Improvement is needed in either the exhibit, the knowledge of the subject or both.
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.
BY TIM HENNAGIR | STAFF WRITER
Keen-eyed Benton County Fair attendees will notice two facility changes after entering the main gate this year.
Old pavement on certain areas of the fairgrounds has been replaced, and the caretaker’s house is gone.
Heavy equipment operators from Cold Springbased Tom Kraemer Inc. tore down and removed debris from the house June 29.
“A lot of people have asked about the house, but we don’t have a working caretaker on site anymore,” said Ted Prom, Benton County Agricultural Society president.
According to the Benton County 100th Year Anniversary Book, Sam Burnett served as the fair’s first groundskeeper.
Burnett was caretaker at the fairgrounds for 41 years, retiring in 1973.
Caretaker Dale Nieters retired in 2010 after taking care of the fairgrounds for 28 years; he took over from Don Benoit; his son, Justin, served as groundskeeper.
In 2022, Warren Cotch became groundskeeper at the Benton County Fair.
“We looked at the age of the house,” Prom said. “We had three quotes from construction companies, and the minimum bid was $125,000 to fix the place up. The south part of the house didn’t have up-to-date footings. It was sinking.”
Prom said there are not future plans for using the space. It is highly likely the open area will be used for director parking this year.
Craig Bardson Excavating of Albany, Dirtworks 2000 Inc. of Sauk Rapids and Granite City Paving LLC of Foley were involved in a limited-scope pavement improvement project.
“We didn’t want to go the easy route with a repair that would end up looking like a patchwork quilt or just sealcoating,” Prom said. “This winter was really hard on the tar. Granite City put down two layers.”
The work was completed in mid-July, Prom said.
Tuesday, Aug. 1, 7-10:30 p.m. DiamondBack
Wednesday, Aug. 2, 8:30-11 p.m.
Mallrats
Thursday, Aug. 3, 7:30-11 p.m. Mason Dixon Line
Friday, Aug. 4, 8-11:30 p.m.
HoneyBadgers
Saturday, Aug. 5, 8-11:30 p.m. Raised On Radio
Sunday, Aug. 6, noon to 4 p.m. Kat Blue
