2016 Green Lake County Fair August 4-7, 2016

“Go For the Gold”

County Board Report

Another year has almost come to end, along with a successful Green Lake County Fair. At the Fair, regardless of size, we can see goodness and optimism. We see a community come together—it doesn’t matter your race or your religion or your political party. Fairs provide a chance to put it all aside, to celebrate what is best about our community and to revel in the sights and sounds and tastes that only come around once a year.

The Fair continues to offer educational experiences along with being a fun, safe, family-friendly countywide event. It is a way for youth (and adults) to showcase their project work and receive recognition for their efforts. For the youth, it also provides important opportunities for positive youth development and leadership skills that are used throughout their lifetime. The Fair connects young people with their communities and helps them acquire skills they will use far into the future. Fairs, in general, play a role in creating citizens and leaders of the future.

There were 225 Junior exhibitors with 3,854 exhibits and 46 Open Class exhibitors with 1,010 exhibits. Premiums paid out totaled $6,404. When viewing these exhibits, fairgoers certainly see the hard work and dedication by the youth and adults in Green Lake County. Several State Fair Awards were given by judges to Junior exhibits. In order to be selected for State Fair, a county must provide a venue for exhibits to be judged. Only those that are given the opportunity to be judged at the County level are able to be chosen to exhibit their project work to a statewide audience and be judged. Best of Show Rosettes are awarded to Open Division exhibitors.

The following Junior exhibitors were honored and privileged by having an entry chosen by the judges to be on exhibit at the Wisconsin State Fair held in early August:

Jordan Mace-Woodworking Dean Shaffer-Health, Social & Political Sciences Calob Congdon-Crocheting Gretchen Petraszak-Photography Dean Shaffer-Mechanical Science Laura Wiegel-Photography Aubrey Kratz-Clothing Sophie Shaffer-Photography Sophie Shaffer-Natural Science Sadie Goettl-Technology Calob Congdon-Knitting Grace Retzlaff-Home Environment Alexander Douglas-Cultural Arts Emily Boelter-Cultural Arts Calob Congdon-Clothing Preview Jada Lyne-Communications Calob Congdon-Family Living Sadie Goettl-Youth Leadership

Fairs and livestock shows are the original flagship for agriculture promotion in our society, and, as our population continues to shift to a more urban demographic, it is the responsibility of a county fair to educate the public about the importance of production agriculture, consumer education and the vibrant history and heritage of an industry that is foundational to our great country. Fairs not only promote agriculture, they create jobs, support rural economic development and local commerce and provide opportunities for youth and adult education. The Green Lake County Fair increased agricultural education in August by offering an AgEducation Station that included many different agricultural subjects! The East Central Wisconsin Beekeepers Association offered an interactive display and educated fairgoers about honey bees, beekeeping and honey bee related products. The Fair also participated in the Commodity Carnival. The CME Group and National 4-H Council partner to bring this fun learning activity to state and county fairs. It was appropriate for all ages and explained the business risks associated with producing and bringing commodities to market. Participants played a game that went through the process of buying, raising and selling a

hog. Participants then received a prize. The activity was overseen by an adult volunteer who organized youth volunteers from the Markesan and Berlin FFA classrooms. Fairgoers were also treated to an interactive Question & Answer Display, along with handouts and a display by the Green Lake County Dairy Promoters. Other demonstrations included a dairy presentation by Grand River Workers 4-H Club, Schulz Show Pigs on swine education, WS Ag Center provided insight on equine nutrition and body condition scoring, Hilltop Dairy and Renk Seed on the History of Seeds. UW-Extension educators also provided a cheesemaking session (Katie Gellings) and Controlling Garden Pests without Chemicals session (Nav Ghimire).

In 1856, the state recognized the value of the fair as an aid in development and began to give state aid for premiums paid out by all organized agricultural societies presenting exhibitions. Each county fair is responsible to pay the balance of premiums to exhibitors. $6,404 was paid out to Green Lake County Fair exhibitors in 2016 and state aid equaled $4,498. The amount of state aid per county has fluctuated throughout the years. Once again, the Youth Livestock Auction proves to generate an impressive total. There were 130 large and small animals sold for a total of $138,796.45 from 68 buyers. The money generated from these sales help youth finance their future animal project and savings for a college education. A & P Amusements provided the family-orientated carnival entertainment. Revenues generated totaled $6,776.00. As usual, commercial space was sold out well before the Fair opened and revenue totaled $2,405.00.

Fairs play a vital role in fundraising for many nonprofit civic and charitable organizations. Green Lake County service organizations (Green Lake Area Animal Shelter, American Legion 306, Green Lake County Farm Bureau, Green Lake County 4-H Clubs, Green Lake County Dairy Promoters, Kiwanis Club of Markesan, Green Lake County Home & Community Education, Green Lake County Horse Council and the Green Lake County 4-H Leaders Association) continue to raise over $40,000 during the four-day Fair. These service organizations use the Fair as their primary fundraising source for their generous contributions throughout the year in Green Lake County.

Keeping on track with the Green Lake County Fair’s Mission Statement, educational programming can be attended on many occasions throughout the Fair. A few of the educational opportunities offered at the 2016 Fair included Hillbilly Silly Science Spectacular Shows, Raptor Education Program, Get Hip to Health! by The Science Alliance, Close Encounters of the Chemical Kind! by The Science Alliance, Money Olympics, Fox of the River Voyageur Canoe Exhibit with Native American Storyteller, Snakes Alive! and the Wisconsin Spudmobile. The Fairest of the Fair program was started in 2008. The Fairest serves as a representative of the Green Lake County Fair with duties that include corresponding with local media, attending county events and serves as hostess at the Green Lake County Fair. The recipient would have a chance to enhance public relations, communication and presentation skills. This year’s Fairest of the Fair competition continued its success. The planning committee received community support and monetary donations for the event held on June 4 at Christianos in Green Lake. Fairest of the Fair Jessie Stibb and Jr. Fairest McKenna Newton ended their 2015 reign and directed the event. Each participant was sponsored by local businesses. Selected to represent the 2016 Green Lake County Fair as Fairest of the Fair was Brooke Navulis (sponsored by Grand River Bookkeepers) and Junior Fairest of the Fair representative, Kennedy Hoch (sponsored by Goeden Farms). Both of these young ladies did the Fair and Green Lake County proud!

Rich Swanke of Princeton hosted the Truck and Tractor Pull on Thursday evening and the WTPA Pull on Friday evening. Both events were very well attended and successful. The Demolition Derby, organized by the Fair, continues to be a fun-filled, exciting track event on Saturday evening. This year’s event totaled $9,713.00 in gate receipts.

The Fair would like to commend all the volunteers that gave of their time before, during, and after the Fair. Volunteers help out at the Fair Office, as Superintendents, gate tenders during track events, and countless other activities going on throughout the Fair. Without the assistance of these volunteers (consisting of youth and adults), from set-up to take-down, the Fair would not be the success it is. Volunteers are the most important resource community organizations have. The ability of people to work willingly together for the betterment of their community and themselves is a valuable resource.

According to the Staff/Volunteer Hours Report for 2016, the total of volunteer hours equaled 953. In 2015, the national average estimated dollar value of volunteer time was $23.56 per hour (http://independentsector.org/volunteer_time) which translates to a total dollar value of $22,452.68. Volunteer numbers and hours are approximate and may fluctuate from year to year based on events held. Staff hours are not used in the computation. The estimate of volunteer time helps acknowledge individuals who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to making a difference. The total number of volunteer hours also reflect the amount of community support the Fair receives.

The Fair established a charitable endowment with the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation in 2009. The Green Lake County Fair Fund will support the future development of youth and the fair, along with general operations. Endowment funds are permanent charitable funds that provide long-term financial support. To date, four contributions have been made (Kinas Excavating, Inc., Markesan Chamber of Commerce, Norb Wianecki Agency-Princeton and Paul Splittgerber).

2016 Green Lake County Fairest of the Fair, Brooke Navulis and Junior Fairest

of the Fair, Kennedy Hoch.

The Community Involvement Program (CIP) continues to attract business, organizations, and individuals who donate time, services/materials, and financial support to help enhance the Fair. Monies are primarily used to supplement family entertainment and youth exhibitor premiums. The following is a list of 2016 CIP participants:

A.F. Gelhar Sand FLASH, Inc. North Bay Sport & Liquor Adams Rib Flyway Mutual Insurance Company Peterson’s Happiness Acres, Inc. Adams-Columbia Electric Coop Fox River Patriots 4-H Club Petraszak Excavating Ltd. Al’s Pumping Service Glover Metal Building Erectors, Ltd. Pollesch Construction, Inc. All-Wood Cabinetry “Golden Rule” Community Credit Union Prairie View Rockets 4-H Club Alliance Laundry Systems Greater Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce Pulvermacher Enterprises, Inc. Alliant Energy Corp Services, Inc. Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Ray’s Sanitation Associated Veterinary Clinic LLC Green Lake Greenways Ripon Electric, Inc. Badger Mining Corporation Green Lake Rotary Ripon Pick’n Save Green Lake Senior Center Green Lake Senior Center Ross Motors Marge Bostelmann Heidel House Resort & Spa Scott Construction-Lake Delton Brandon Meats & Sausage Hometown Broadcasting David & Helene Severson Century 21 Properties Unlimited Kinas Excavating, Inc. Shepards Drive-In Chris’ Floral & Gifts Kwik Trip, Inc. Spaulding Chiropractic Health Center LLC Country Clovers 4-H Club LAKE Real Estate, LLC Spoehr Smits & Blazel Law Office Culligan M.P.B. Builders, Inc. Stahl Plumbing & Heating, Inc. DD Associates Markesan Chamber of Commerce State Farm Insurance-Caren Reich Dalton Lumber & Supply, Inc. Markesan State Bank Stuart’s Landscaping & Garden Center Del Monte Foods, Inc. Markesan Veterinary Clinic Sunrisers 4-H Club Design Specialty Builders Mashuda Contractors, Inc. ThedaCare Fairburn/Jolly J’s HCE Club Modern Rentals Tuscumbia Golf Resort “Farmer” Grahn Montey Welding Vines & Rushes Winery Farmers State Bank National Exchange Bank & Trust Waste Management-Fond du Lac Ness Electric, LLC Kurt A. Zemke, D.D.S.

Check out the 2016 highlights in slideshow format!

Visit greenlake.uwex.edu, click on Fair heading and then 2016 Fair Highlights & Annual Report. Hope you enjoy!

“The mission of the Green Lake County Fair is to provide positive youth development and leadership skills, along

with promoting agriculture, family and community involvement through education and tradition.”

For questions or more information, please contact Kim Zills at 920.294.4033 or e-mail kim.zills@ces.uwex.edu

“the best little Fair around”

With the books just about closed on the 2016 Fair, it’s time to Weigh anchor and set sail towards 2017 where a pirate adventure awaits you AUGUST 3-7. Thar be treasures and grub for ye all who attend.