Jodi Summitt
Embarrassing – As a reporter, I've never worried about my notes being eaten, but at this year's Embarrass Regional Fair, a baby goat did just that while I was kneeling to take a photo at the Cook's Country Connection petting zoo, missing the rest of the name of a very cute little girl whose name began with “Z,” which ended up falling down the inquisitive baby goat's throat.
The baby goats, piglets and alpacas attracted lots of attention from young families and adults all day Sunday. Lois Pajari of Country Connection had a great time answering questions. She even tried to find new homes for some of the baby goats born on her farm this summer. A pet adoption event scheduled for Saturday was canceled after a participating animal shelter worker fell ill.
This year's fair featured a number of new events, and the fair's popular events also saw near record-breaking attendance numbers, with 670 adults attending the T. Morsing Memorial Mud Run and 680 adults attending the Demolition Derby.
This year's Demo Derby featured a special “Grudge Match” at the end of official competition. Of the 14 Derby competitors, about a half-dozen were able to get their cars back up and running in the pits. Over $1,600 in prize money was raised in honor of longtime Derby participant (and frequent winner) Todd Scholz, who recently passed away. With Todd's son James finally old enough to race in the event, Scholz took second place in the final race of the day and tied for first in the Grudge Match. In the Grudge Match, competitors used a family friend's car after their own cars wouldn't run again.
Next year, organizers plan to make a grudge match a regular feature of the tournament in Todd's honor.
Paid attendance both days was more than 2,200, but that doesn't include vendors and fair volunteers, who likely added another 350 to the total. An additional 500 or more attended Friday night's event. The fair added more parking spaces this year, but at peak times, cars still clogged Highway 21 waiting to get into the fairgrounds.
Sunday's car show attracted 101 cars, up from last year's 88. On Saturday, the first-ever chess tournament drew a small but enthusiastic crowd, as did the jigsaw puzzle contest. The pie-eating contest drew sizeable crowds. Bingo was played both days, and there were shaded seats to sit and enjoy. Sunday's equestrian show introduced several new games for horses and riders. Young cowboys and cowgirls had the chance to try their rodeo skills in the mutton busting contest on Friday afternoon.
The exhibit hall had a wide selection of garden vegetables, flowers, baked goods, arts and crafts, canned goods, youth exhibits, etc. This year there was a nine-pound cabbage, some nice looking celery, green beans, tomatoes, but no giant zucchinis.
The annual parade had so many floats and attendees that it lasted over 30 minutes. Kids lined both sides of the road and bought loads of candy to take home. I had the honor of being the Grand Marshal of the parade, driving Waschke's shiny new hot pink Jeep, and had a great time and met so many friends along the way.
Craft makers and vendors reported strong sales, and vendors selling cold and frozen foods did especially well in the warm weather. The longest lines were for iced lemonade and shaved ice, both of which were great in the 80+ degree afternoon sun. The fair had all the popular foods, including egg rolls, gyros, kettle corn, mini donuts and barbecue.
Fair committee chair Carissa Smith said while the fair committee is still tallying up attendance totals and volunteer hours, there's a lot to be excited about.
“We are considering all of the comments we receive,” Smith said, “and will continue to adapt.”