Farm show runs 'smooth as silk'

By SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- A real, live rooster not only made his presence known, but he added his brand of "country" to the 20th Annual Farm City Hub Club Farm Show at Vogel Arena Saturday.

The event began Friday evening and continues from noon to 4 p.m. today at Vogel Arena, New Ulm.

Live birds were a new attraction to the show this year, brought in by Runnings, Future Farmers of America and the Brown County Pigeon and Poultry Association.

"Live livestock has been a nice addition," said Farm Show Director Frank Stuckey.

Stuckey reported a steady attendance throughout Saturday.

"We've had an excellent day," said Stuckey. "We had a high percentage of rural people today. We've had an awful lot of people especially from the west. We've also had people from Iowa, South Dakota, St. Cloud, Waconia, and Waseca.

"We've also had an awful lot of families come through here. It's been a good family day."

This year's group of 145 exhibitors has turned out to be a good group, Stuckey said.

"This is the neatest bunch of exhibitors we've had," Stuckey said. "They've been cordial... and they've been socializing and selling. No complaints, no problems. It's just going as smooth as silk."

The event started out 20 years ago at the Holiday Inn, said Don Potter, of the Farm City Hub Club.

"We're lucky nobody fell in the pool," joked Stuckey.

This was the first year that the Brown County Poultry and Pigeon Association brought an exhibit to the Farm Show, according to the President of the association Nick Semple, of New Ulm.

"Live animals make the farm show," said Semple. "The Farm Show gets us out and gets us known."

The group brought birds such as White-Crested Black Polish, Black Silkies, American White Giant Runt hens and Grizzle Flying Rollers, Semple said.

John and Eleanor Paulmann of Gaylord, exhibitors for Bongard's Creameries based in Norwood, said the Farm Show is a well-run show.

"It's fun coming back every year and seeing the same people," said Eleanor Paulmann. "I see lots of Sibley County people here."

The Paulmanns have exhibited for the past 5 years and plan to come back next year.

Exhibitor Darwin Niss, owner of Darwin Niss Associates 2-way radio sales, said he appreciated the "little extras" that the Farm City Hub Club does for the event.

"It's a really well-run show," said Niss. "They do the little extra things, like giving you coffee and rolls in the morning and before the show opens, and they have a break room for the exhibitors during the show."

Dan Hall, an exhibitor from rural Butterfield, feels the personal contact he can make by just being able to talk to people face-to-face is beneficial to his business, Southwest Minnesota K-Fence, of Butterfield.

"If I can talk to at least three people, then it's been worth my time here," said Hall. "I feel I'm trying to do a service."

Stuckey said he looks forward to a "big" day today.