THE LAND — JUNE 11/JUNE 18, 2021
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
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Polk County Fair to open with optimism, enthusiasm By KRISTIN KVENO The Land Staff Writer Back in business! The Polk County Fair in Fertile, Minn. is ready to return this year; and for Fair Board President Dan Grunhovd, he couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome fair-goers July 7-11. When the Polk County Fair Board made the decision last spring to cancel the 2020 fair due to Covid-19, Grunhovd felt it was the right choice to protect the community. The Land spoke with Grunhovd last June as he explained that the health and safety of fair volunteers and fair attendees was first and foremost in the decision to cancel. With an average of over 45,000 people attending the Polk County Fair over the five-day event, it was simply too risky to continue as usual in 2020. Dan Grunhovd “We’re certainly glad we made that decision,” he said when we touched base again last week. It wasn’t totally quiet on the fairgrounds last July. It was open to the public to enjoy three food stands and have the opportunity to take in a tractor show. While it may not have felt exactly like the fair, it gave attendees a taste of fair fun. Now that the Covid restrictions are relaxed, people are vaccinated and the positivity rate is low, it’s time to bring on all the fair fun. “I think we’ll get good crowds,” Grunhovd said. He’s seeing the excitement in friends and neighbors as they all are looking forward to once again being on the fairgrounds seeing the attractions, indulging in the tasty treats
and taking in all the exhibits from animals to art. Dock dogs will be a part of the fair again this year. P r e registrations to take part in that event are “way up” according to Grunhovd. Registrations for the baja races and demo derby are up as well. “We’ve had a lot of interest this year compared to 2019.” He feels these are great signs that there’s lots of interest in being a part of the fair this summer. As for the Midway, the fair is sticking with the same company they always use, Todd Armstrong Shows. The number of rides available will be dependent on the number of Midway workers available. “The 4-H shows will have some restrictions because they are run by Extension,” Grunhovd said. Right now the rule is that masks need to be worn when judging and in close contact with other participants. Grunhovd cautions that those rules may shift again before the fair begins. There will be a few changes this year to the fair in an effort to keep people safe. “We purchased a lot of hand sanitizer.” In addition, there will be more hand washing stations around the fairgrounds as well. “It’s a good step forw a r d , ” Grunhovd said. The fair board wanted to have more outside attractions this year. There will be a glass blowing demonstration
on the grounds as well as a potted plant garden. The University of Minnesota Crookston Department of Hortic u l t u r e Science will be creating this unique garden. Grunhovd explained that while it will feature the usual garden offerings, like tomatoes, and will also display interesting potted items. “Some new, different things that the average gardeners doesn’t raise.” Not knowing how performers felt about getting back out and on the stage, Grunhovd was relieved the fair’s
County Fair Guide
free stage is booked solid. The free stage entertainment is from all over the state and beyond. “They were all anxious to come back.” Grunhovd has been president of the Polk County Fair board since 2006, and served in various capacities within the fair for decades before that. To say he enjoys the fair would be an understatement. Having had a year off from the hustle and bustle of the fair, what’s Grunhovd looking forward to most at this year’s fair? “I enjoy the people, that’s what I look forward to.” From the interest he’s received from the public, it seems that people at the fair won’t be in short supply this year. “I’m really kind of optimistic that we’re going to have a good fair.” v
