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Four days of fun at the fair

By STEPHEN WIBLEMO AND KAY JOHNSON
By STEPHEN WIBLEMO AND KAY JOHNSON
Aug 23, 2021
Aug 23, 2021 Updated Sep 29, 2022
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After two years, the flags at the fairgrounds were raised Thursday morning to signal the start of the 149th annual McLeod County Fair.

Staff photos by Stephen Wiblemo

Elsie McDowell, left, of Hutchinson, keeps her eyes on the road in front of her as Sullivan McDowell, front, and Bennet Schumaci enjoy their ride on the Midway.

Staff photo by Stephen Wiblemo

Back by popular demand is the Everett Smithson Band 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 20, at Music in the Park in Library Square.

File photo

Nora Elbert, 7, of Hutchinson, gets a better view of the fair as she catches some air on a bungee trampoline ride at the McLeod County Fair in 2021.

FILE PHOTO

Mackenzie Breyer looks on with pride as a judge inspects her roosters in the poultry barn.

Staff photo by Stephen Wiblemo

While patrolling the grounds and keeping things safe, Hutchinson firefighters Daryl Rath, Jerrod Weckman and Nick Pagel enjoy ice cream shakes from the McLeod County American Dairy Association wagon.

Staff photo by Stephen Wiblemo

Everyone likes eating at the fair, even the horses. But don’t feed Rowdy, who has a hungry look in his eyes.

Staff photo by Stephen Wiblemo

Auctioneer Kathy Krone stirred up the bids for Kyla Visser’s sheep during the McLeod County 4-H Livestock Auction Saturday. The winning bid was $475.

Staff photo by Kay Johnson

A mother kangaroo with a joey in her pouch gets some attention from sisters Joslyn, Brooklyn and Madison Kottke, of Hutchinson, at the Wild Things animal exhibit.

Staff photo by Stephen Wiblemo

The Whitesidewalls drew a full house Sunday. It was a blast to the past as the Midwest’s favorite rock ‘n’ roll band sang a hit parade of classic songs.

Staff photo by Kay Johnson

Here’s a vegetable that would make Prince proud. Dr. Joan DeVee Dixon and her mother, Jacquelyn Dixon, show off their champion Depurple cauliflower.

Submitted photo

Theo Pessek, 5, of Hutchinson, reels in a whopper while playing for big prizes.

Staff photo by Stephen Wiblemo

These perfect potatoes grown by Brie Kobow earned her a purple rosette and grand champion title.

Staff photo by Stephen Wiblemo

The Whitesidewalls got the Hutchinson Senior Center’s line dancers up and moving during their performance Sunday afternoon. Leading their set of smooth moves was Sandy Juffer, front left.

Staff photo by Kay Johnson

John Arlt gives the McLeod County Toward Zero Deaths seat belt convincer a try, which simulates the force of a low-impact collision. As Arlt can attest, even at 5-10 mph, everyone should buckle up.

Staff photo by Stephen Wiblemo

Above: The line was steady for malts at the McLeod County American Dairy Association’s food booth. It’s a popular draw at the McLeod County Fair.

Right: Children are welcome at the Hutchinson Farmers Market.

Staff photo by Kay Johnson

The change of schedule — going from five days to four — didn’t put a damper on the 149th annual McLeod County Fair. It was business as usual as thousands flooded through the gates for good food, plenty of fun and fellowship with friends both near and dear. Whether you attended for the exhibits, 4-H and open animal judging, the Midway or food on a stick, there were plenty of opportunities for one and all. Live music drew a crowd to the Pavilion and Corporate Tent. Saturday it was tough to find a seat for an afternoon of live music with Josie Sanken and Tony Cuchetti. Sunday saw a sold-out crowd at the Xtreme Demo Derby in the Grandstand. Meanwhile plenty of folks showed up for the toe tappin’ old-time and polka music of the New Ulm Wendinger Band. Extra chairs were brought out for the overflow crowd for the evening’s headliner — the ever-popular Whitesidewalls. The threat of rain didn’t diminish attendance or the enthusiasm of the crowd for the Midwest’s favorite early rock ‘n’ roll band. It was a first-class finish for this longtime McLeod County tradition. — Kay Johnson

Whether you attended for the exhibits, 4-H and open animal judging, the Midway or food on a stick, there were plenty of opportunities for one and all. Live music drew a crowd to the Pavilion and Corporate Tent. Saturday it was tough to find a seat for an afternoon of live music with Josie Sanken and Tony Cuchetti.

Sunday saw a sold-out crowd at the Xtreme Demo Derby in the Grandstand. Meanwhile plenty of folks showed up for the toe tappin’ old-time and polka music of the New Ulm Wendinger Band. Extra chairs were brought out for the overflow crowd for the evening’s headliner — the ever-popular Whitesidewalls. The threat of rain didn’t diminish attendance or the enthusiasm of the crowd for the Midwest’s favorite early rock ‘n’ roll band.

It was a first-class finish for this longtime McLeod County tradition.

— Kay Johnson