‘A county fair has a great story to tell’

It stands squarely and solidly, or at least it gives that impression to the folks who step up and visit with friends manning the kiosks, folks who come back year after year to offer their handicrafts and artwork. This is the Main Building, a centennial heritage structure that, if it could talk, would regale anyone listening to tales of past fairs when the only livestock being exhibited were shorthorn beef cattle. Visitors would hear tales of oxen pulling competitions and the standardbred pacing and trotting racehorses that would speed past the front, which faced the old racetrack. Actually the wide main entrance is still used, located on the highway side of the building.

Visitors these years might notice the broad stairway in front of that former, wide main door. The varnish still shows on the balustrade which tempts visitors to climb those stairs and discover the collection of flowers, plants, field crops, tall stalks of grain corn, garden vegetables, and apples on the second floor.

But that’s just a section of the delights visitors might enjoy here. The center is filled with cut flowers and plants of all kinds, single stems and hanging baskets, sometimes arrangements that might be designed for special occasions. The first surprise will probably be at least two scarecrows, standing like a welcoming committee at the top of the stairway. The back wall features the handiwork and talents at sewing, crocheting, spinning, knitting, along with artwork, quilting, and just about whatever the talented crafters have dreamed up during the winter. A right turn takes one into the youth section where, once again, imaginations and tiny fingers have been busy painting, gathering collections of anything from fieldstones to bark or tree leaves. Lego building blocks in the center could be working models of aircraft, dump trucks or whatever the imagination has conjured up. This section has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, with this display now spread across the rear corner and down both aisles. Paintings, posters and scrapbooks, photographs, singly or themed on a poster usually represent what impression a youngster has of his county fair.

Now, visitors are beginning to notice the difference in aromas, from flowers to the sweet smell of home cooking. An array of cakes, pies and cookies, squares and tarts, jars of jams and jellies lined up in their showcases finally leads to the section where coffee might be brewing and sweet treats are available for a modest sum.

Myrna Lowry, in charge of horticulture and overseeing the sweets section, understands the importance of putting together an exhibition here that will not only attract visitors but prove a county fair is not just about cows and horses. The items on display are grown

and prepared locally. Farm women have always tried to grow as much of their food as possible. They probably learned the art of canning and preserving from their mothers. Perhaps not many will shear their own sheep these days, card and spin the yarn, and keep a supply of knitted wool socks on hand. Some will tell of preserving a strip of linen cloth, probably made from the flax their grandmothers grew or recount their mothers’ stories about carding wool fleece, cleaning and spinning the yarn, finding the ingredients in the field and garden that would provide the dye to color that wool.

“I believe a county fair has a great story to tell anyone who cares to listen,” Lowry says, remembering the 40 or so years she has been involved with her county fair. “There’s no doubt, the display here depends on the summer weather we’ve had and surprisingly, folks are telling me the gardens are pretty good, plants and flowers also not too bad. So we’re looking for a great show in the horticulture section. Entries have been up to par so far and we’ve had a great face-lifting operation here too.” Visitors will find a newly decorated show area thanks to the ingenuity and determination of Barbara Ward. “Visitors will be pleasantly surprised to find lattice work in corners and edging display tables bringing a welcome change to the interior. We’re very proud of our Main Building second floor show this year,” Lowry said. “Be sure to come up, visit, and have a treat or two,” she invited.