Fair filled with frolic, fun

Warm weather greets visitors to Brown County Fair on ag day

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- A slight breeze provided a little relief from the heat Friday during the second day of the 133rd annual Brown County Fair, which continues today.

Friday, which was billed as Kids' Day and Ag Education and Awareness Day, brought visitors from all over Brown County to participate in a variety of 4-H events, or to take advantage of the variety of rides available on the midway.

"There is also a kangaroo here, which is something new for New Ulm," Fair Board President Renee Retzlaff said.

Children could spend all day riding as many rides as they wanted for a single price, which drew crowds to the midway, sponsored by Min-No-So-Dah Premiere Shows of Dalton.

"They have a better selection of rides than they did last year, which makes it much more fun," 14-year-old Timothy Domeier of rural Springfield said. "I plan on riding as many as I can."

For the daring, the rides are as varied as the Ring of Fire, the Sizzler, the Zipper, or the Hammer. For those preferring a more mellow ride, there is the Octopus, the Ferris Wheel and the Dragon Wagon. For the younger riders, there is the Elephant Ride, a miniature Ferris Wheel, a Merry-Go-Round, the Train Station, Scooter, boats, motorcycles and the Bear Affair. Rounding out the selection of rides is the Fun Slide for children of all ages, and the walk-through House of Terror.

"We try to provide as much variety as possible on the midway, which can be tricky when there are several fairs going on at the same time," one Premiere Shows spokesman said.

Highlights of the day included a children's pedal pull, a livestock auction, a pet show, an arts-in performance, and a performance by Thomas Krueger, who entertained the crowds with his unique blend of balloon animals, stage magic, hypnosis and magical DJ show. The day ended with a performance by Uncle Fester, who entertained the crowds well into the evening.

The overall highlight of the day was a new variety of entertainment for the Brown County Fair, the American Wrestling Association's Superstars of Wrestling, which drew thousands of people to the grandstand, some standing in line for over an hour to buy their tickets.

The fair opens at 8 a.m. today with a 4-H swine judging in the agriculture barn at the north end of the fairgrounds, continuing throughout the morning and early afternoon.

Today is billed as Family Day and features Games World, including such life-sized games as Gladiator Joust, Human Darts, Bungee Run, Bouncy Boxing, and a giant obstacle course. Children can play as often as they want from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. for a single price of $5. One adult is admitted free with each paid child.

Other 4-H events throughout the day include a favorite food fair at 1:30 p.m., a variety of demonstrations beginning at 3 p.m. in the 4-H building, and an Arts-In performance, featuring a variety of dances from around the world developed as a tour.

Other events throughout the day include a performance by hypnotist Samantha Dare at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the entertainment tent; a performance by Four Shadow at 2:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. at the entertainment tent; a Brown County Amateur talent Contest 3 p.m. in the agriculture tent-there will be a $3 per ticket charge for the event; a teen dance from 8 p.m. to midnight; and a performance of Alibi beginning at 8:30 p.m. in the entertainment tent.

The highlight of the day will be an encore presentation of the demolition derby at the grandstand at 7 p.m.