Walworth County Fair blog
Sept. 7, 2010 -- Monday's Hat-of-the-day Contest Winner! Steve Leffelman from Elkhorn, WI. He made his winning hat with his wife, Beth, out of a tomato cage and some poster board.
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Sept. 6, 2010 -- Action from the demolition derby at the Walworth County Fair.
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Sept. 2, 2010 -- Congratulations to Michelle Dolensek of Franksville, the 2010 Walworth County Fair Country Idol talent contest winner.
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Champions gallery 9:10 a.m., Sept. 6, 2010 --
Grand champion barrow : Katelyn Gonzalez, Delavan VIDEO
Grand champion steer: Jeremie Siegler, Badger FFA
Grand champion cavy: Hannah Miller of Lake Geneva, Sharon 4-H VIDEO
Supreme champion dairy: Ariel Waswo, Sharon 4-H VIDEO
Grand champion market lamb : Sara Johnson, Richmond 4-H
Best in show doe : Jordann Bauer, Lake Geneva, Badger FFA,
Badger's equestrian club stresses teamwork 4:00 p.m., Sept. 5, 2010 -- This fall marks the second season for the Badger High School Equestrian Club. The five-member club—all girls—is a member of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Horsemanship Association, which was founded in 2007. STORY
Walworth County Fair meat sale spending surpasses $400,000 4:05 p.m., Sept. 3, 2010 -- Nearly $404,099 was made in the sale of about 475 animals, according to sale figures from the fair. The other average open-market prices were 50 cents a pound for hogs and $1.35 a pound for lambs, Reedy said. STORY
Century farms harvest generations of tradition 11:30 a.m., Sept. 3, 2010 -- There was a time in American history, and it really was not that long ago, when most Americans were farmers. Now, according to a Duke University study, only about one in 100 Americans can claim that title. The family farm, once the backbone of America, is slowly fading into history. Lisa Schmelz writes about four area families and their farms that goes back more than 100. STORY
Photo essay: 4-Her doesn't let cerebral palsy keep her from the show ring 12:56 p.m., Sept. 3, 2010 -- Photographer Terry Mayer tagged along as Emily Cadman, 14, of Whitewater, who took part in sheep judging Thursday at the Walworth County Fair. Cadman, a Lyons resident who attends East Troy Middle School and is a member of Spring Prairie 4-H, has cerebral palsy, but that hasn't hindered her love of the fair. Using a specially designed cart, Cadman was able to show Peanut, who came away the champion's trophy for its breed. View Mayer's photo essay HERE.
The fair's first senior idol winner 8:45 a.m., Sept. 3, 2010 -- It was a little bit country. It was a little rock and roll. But it was the yodeling that took the cake. Four people competed Thursday evening in the finals for the first-ever Senior Idol competition at the Walworth County Fair. John Fahey of Belleville won the contest, singing The Vogues’ “Five O’clock World.” See the story in today's Walworth County Gazette. Pick one up free at the fair from out booth behind the Agriculture building.
Today at the fair 8:36 a.m., Sept. 3, 2010 -- Highlights include the sale of champions, featuring the grand champions, at 3 p.m. Getchen Wilson performs at 7:30 p.m. on the grandstand. STORY
Egg farmers see a boost in business 10:01 p.m., Sept. 2, 2010 -- With the nationwide egg recall making consumers wary of large-scale egg operations, small-scale operations have benefited. Milwaukee's Fox 6 news was at the Walworth County Fair Thursday to find out about the benefits of locally raised chickens and eggs. "We can go right down through this barn, you will not find a sick bird in this barn," Bill Marquardt of Richmond Township said.
Small animals on a big stage at Cavy show 4:33 p.m., Sept. 2, 2010 -- Large animals are known as the rock stars of the Walworth County Fair, but they're not the only animals with hopes of brining home the grand champion's trophy.
Among the animals being judged Thursday were the cavies, a small domestic rodent similar to a Guinea Pig.
Hannah Miller's cavy, Coco, won grand champion and Megan Winchell's cavy took home reserve champion honors. Miller, of Lake Geneva, is a member of Sharon 4-H. Winchell is with Harvester's 4-H.
The cavy show was all down to business however. The costume contest allowed members to be creative and come up with colorful ideas to dress up their animals.
Rhiannon Wuttke of Lakeland 4-H took home grand champion honors in the costume category with a Harley theme. Stephanie Anderson of Harvesters 4-H was the reserve champion winner for a pirate themed entry.
Judging continues at 4 p.m. Friday in the Small Animal Barn with the rabbit pet class. The class also includes a costume category. The rabbit show begins at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Small Animal Barn.
Photos from the Fairest of the Fair competition 10:13 a.m., Sept. 2, 2010 -- Karen Schlichter of Elkhorn was named Fairest of the Fair during a competition Wednesday night at the Walworth County Fair. MORE The terms of the Fairest of the Fair will rotate this year as the board changes the program and crowns the 2012 winner on Sunday night of next year's fair. Schlichter will serve until June, when runner up Hannah Eucker becomes fair royalty. Samantha Simon will serve as fair royalty during the 2011 fair. Deanna Malin also competed. PHOTOS
Wednesday's hat contest winners 9:14 a.m., Sept. 2, 2010 -- Hannah Person, 5 and her sister Joslyn, 8 months, Elkhorn, won Wednesday's hat contest at the Walworth County Fair. Today's theme is Vintage 60ʼs or 70ʼs hat. The contest takes place at 3 p.m. at the Log Cabin. STORY
Photos from the fair 9:04 a.m., Sept. 2, 2010 -- Photographer Kerry Trampe can be found nearly everywhere as the official photographer for the Walworth County Fair. His photographs are updated daily on WalworthCountyFair.com. View photos from Wednesday HERE
Gonzalez wins grand champion barrow 4:53 p.m., Sept. 1, 2010 -- Katelyn Gonzalez won grand champion barrow Wednesday at the Walworth County Fair. Gonzalez entered her cross bread as a member of the Sugar Creek 4-H.
One of the highlights of the first day of the Walworth County Fair is the 4-H dog show in the Activity Center.
There wasn't much debate when it came to crowning this year's blue ribbon pumpkin in the open class at the Walworth County Fair. At 816 pounds, Joshua Yates entry dwarfed the other otherwise fine entries. The pumpkin is on display on the south end of the Agriculture Building. Dan Plutchak/staff.
Fair opens with barrow show 1:20 p.m., Sept. 1, 2010 -- The barrow show is under way in the swine barn at the Walworth County Fair. Judging continues throughout the day until a grand champion is crowned later this afternoon. Earlier today, Megan Ramussen of Lakeland 4-H took came away with the champion's ribbon in her division of the Spotted Poland class. Her entry will compete with the other Spotted Poland's later today, with the winner going on to be judged against the other breeds for grand champion. PHOTO GALLERY
Ribbon cutting 10:01 a.m., Sept. 1, 2010 -- Honorary marshals, from the left, Terry and Dianne Kegley, along with Gerald and Marilyn Thelen cut the ribbon to open the 2010 Walworth County Fair. They wore tie-tyed shirts to go with the fairs '60s and '70s theme. Dan Plutchak/staff.
Wednesday at the fair 5:30 a.m., Sept. 1, 2010 -- Although the ribbon cutting is at at 10 a.m. at the main gets, the fair will be in full swing by then.
The first big event, the barrow show, begins at 8 a.m. in the Swine Barn. Other highlights include the Fairest of the Fair contest at 5 p.m. and the County Idol semi-finals at 6:30 p.m., both on the park stage.
The complete schedule is HERE.
Fairgrounds spring to life as animals move in 8:30 p.m., Aug. 30, 2010 --With a little over 36 hours until the official opening of the Walworth County Fair, activity in the Swine Barn was in full swing. Check in and weigh in for barrows took place Monday evening, and most stalls were filled by 8 p.m.
Families put the finishing touches on signs and posters in the barn, while Austin Vorpagel, 10, Williams Bay and a member of Linn 4-H took the lead with a push broom and began sweeping the aisles.
The barrow show is the first big event of the fair, and gets under way Wednesday at 8 a.m. in the Swine Barn.
Over in the Dairy Barn, Kevin Gregory, better known as Hog, of Woodstock encouraged his group by singing "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" while they spread bedding in the stalls.
The fair is like a reunion for this group of family and friends who all grew up in Walworth County and have spread out over the years.
Friends Stacey and Dan Ambort of Sauk City make the annual trip to Elkhorn. "I live 51 weeks in Sauk City," Stacey said. "And one week here."
Brother and sister Sean and Erin Lynch also helped get their portion of the dairy barn ready. The Dairy Show begins Wednesday in the Activity Center
A fair grandstand favorite returns ... for the fourth time 6:30 a.m., Sept. 1, 2010 -- The grandstands at the 2010 Walworth County Fair will host a healthy lineup of country music acts, as well as the fourth visit by an old fan favorite. The Beach Boys return this year, after headlining in 2000, 2001 and 2007. This year, they perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the grandstand.STORY
Canning isn't a lost art for this Walworth County couple 5:30 a.m., Aug. 31, 2010 -- Writer Lisa Schmelz visits Bill and Helen Austin as they puts up some jars of mixed vegetables, a new combination he’s trying this year. Bill will be entering his preserves and canning in the Walworth County Fair. He’s already garnered a drawer full of ribbons from past entries.STORY
Walworth County Fair carries colorful history over its 160 years 5:30 a.m., Aug. 30, 2010 -- For Al Gruling, the Walworth County Fair naturally means horse races and livestock judging. But it means millstones, trains and a cemetery, too. Gruling, a self-described history buff, is an East Troy resident who’s lived in Walworth County since 1951. A charter member of the East Troy Historical Society, he’s the author of “Good Ol’ Fashioned School Days,” a book about East Troy’s one-room schoolhouses. STORY
Poll: How many days will you go to the fair? 6 p.m., Aug. 29, 2010 -- Take our poll. How many days do you plan to attend the Walworth County Fair? VOTE.
Walworth County Fair officials expect boost in attendance 4 p.m., Aug. 29, 2010 -- Officials at the Walworth County Fair are talking expansion and remain hopeful this year the economic pendulum begins to swing back in their direction. Bob Handel, vice president of the Walworth County Fair Board, said he believes more than 160,000 people will attend this year’s fair, which would be the most since 2005.STORY
Photo gallery: Walworth County's 4-H clubs 5 a.m., Aug. 29, 2010 -- View a slideshow of Walworth County 4-H clubs HERE.
Sep 6, 2010 at 9:34 a.m.
Suggest removal
I was absolutely appalled to find out that Walworth County Fair would decide to begin charging for parking in the midst of today's economy.
We were so looking forward to attending what we believe is the BEST, family oriented fair in SE Wisconsin. But when we found out about the price hikes and new parking fees we just could not in good conscience attend.
Sure, we personally could afford the new fees, but we believe it's time for those of us with the means stand with those who are without. Quietly attending and paying the increased fees simply condones this "raking of families in hard times".
Walworth County Fair should be ashamed for charging people of the county to park on land they basically own communally. That land was donated to the residents of the county under the stewardship of the County board with the intent that it be utilized for the benefit of the county residents and society at large in promoting farming, agriculture and a rural lifestyle and culture.
The complete commercialization and the notion of charging what the market will bare is so far from the original spirit and intent of what the Walworth County Fair stood for.
I suppose I should congratulate the fair on evolving into another unaffordable, commercialized, non-family-friendly entity disguised as a "County Fair". What's on tap for next year, a liquor license perhaps?
Go ahead price a good percentage of your residents out of the market, increase the pain of the ever increasing income gap in this nation...it seems to be the American way. How absolutely "patriotic" of you.
Sep 3, 2010 at 10:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
I do wish the fair a great turnout and Sue my best for all her hard work- but really the unemployment rate needs to be considered too -you would have a lot more people attending if they could afford to get in. I have heard many people making the same comments. I want to go but can't afford to get in =once in they can afford the rides and food that you get commission on also. Please think about that next year. The rain last night proved you can't depend on a shuttle to take you back to your car when you need to leave.
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