Lifetime of special memories

Big Ex has been a vital part of Robert Wentzell’s journey

For Robert Wentzell, it’s the simple things that make the South Shore Exhibition an annual tradition.

“It’s just seeing old friends that you haven’t seen for many years and talking to new people,” he said.

Wentzell, 74, a past president of the Big Ex, has been going to the event since he was a child when his father and grandfather showed sheep. His contributions included showing cattle. He has also been on the board of directors for the last 25 years. Wentzell’s wife used to help with one of the barbecues and his children were involved in 4-H.

“I’ve gone … since I was about five years old and I haven’t missed too many days since,” said Wentzell.

Outside of the exhibition, Wentzell is a retired mechanic who now spends his days “floating around the farm,” in West Northfield.

“It’s an excuse to get out in the fresh air,” he said. “It’s an excuse to get up in the morning instead of laying in bed till late, getting exercise when you’re done with your daily chores, that sort of thing. Sometimes when you get old you need an excuse to get out of the house.”

In July, before the exhibition, Wentzell was worried about attendance, given the event was cancelled for the last two years due to the

COVID-19 pandemic.

“We hope that people come there again and the new ones, the new people that’s coming along (as exhibitors) are going to show animals and ride

horseback, that sort of thing,” he said at the time. “We hope it didn’t get pushed by the wayside because of the pandemic and people picked up something new to do in July.”

For him, nothing can replace the sense of camaraderie the exhibition offers.

“A lot of us young fellas who went to school together, we ended up being at the exhibition at the same time, so we ran around and get into mischief,” he said. “We had a great time.”

And while this year’s exhibition is over, Wentzell is looking forward to next year’s event. Although, there is one thing he’d like to see come back – the highwire act.

“When I was first going to the exhibition, they had a high wire act every night at 11 o’clock and they don’t do (that) anymore. I’m not sure why; maybe they’re not allowed to do it anymore or there’s nobody crazy enough to go up there and do that,” he said. “(But) back in the early ‘50s that was something that happened every night.”

MATT DAGLEY Robert Wentzell has a lifetime of memories from the South Shore Exhibition. Not only has he been actively involved in many aspects, the Big Ex was a tradition for his family as well.