Another day at the fair

Heat, humidity hold

attendance down at Brown County Fair

Saturday

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Oppressive heat and humidity made for smaller crowds than normal on Saturday, the third day of the Brown County Fair.

"We are down somewhat today, but that is probably because it is so hot," Director Renee Retzlaff said. "I anticipate that we will have a sold-out crowd for the demolition derby. And the fact that the sun is behind the haze won't be as bad as it would if it was beaming down on everyone."

Attendance on Thursday was up, and attendance at the demolition derby was up 7 percent over last year, she said.

"We invited all the day care centers in Brown County to the fair on Thursday," she said. "We had a lot of participation. That was something new this year for us, and it worked out really well."

Friday was a busy day, because it was arm band day and children could pay one price and ride as many rides as they wanted, as many times as they wanted, she said.

"Arm band day is always busy for us," she said. "We had a few growing pains with the program, but it worked out okay for us."

The midway rides remained mostly silent throughout the day, but started to get busy as people began lining up to buy tickets to the demolition derby, one of the day's highlights.

Saturday, which was billed as Family Day, drew parents and children from all over the county, as well as nearby counties, to participate in a variety of activities, such as Human Darts.

Participants dressed up in outfits resembling darts with Velcro, and then jumped at the board to see what they could score.

"This is my fifth time today," 11-year-old Jeremy Rotteling of rural Courtland said. "I have been over to the boxing ring and the jousting ring and have had loads of fun. What they really need on a day like this is a water slide."

Over in the entertainment tent, crowds laughed as hypnotist Samantha Dare had volunteers from the audience looking for their bottoms and performing other stunts while under hypnosis.

One of the highlights of the day was the amateur talent show performed in the agriculture tent, featuring singing, dancing, and other forms of entertainment performed by Brown County residents.

"This is billed as amateur talent, but some of these acts are pretty good," Melissa Etheridge of rural Comfrey said. "It was well worth the $3. Besides, sitting under the tent with a little breeze helps cut down on the heat a little."

The day ended with a performance by Alibi and a teen dance, which kept the crowds around following the demolition derby.

Fair goers can do everything from observe pig racing events, play Bingo, ride a camel, sample Chinese food and other traditional fair food, see a 44 pound catfish at the Izaak Walton League building, pet a kangaroo, and see a pair of black bears, a lion cub, or even a binturong at the exotic animal exhibit.

On the midway, there are such activities as breaking a bottle to win a prize; throwing balls to win a knife; shooting cork guns at plastic ducks to win prizes; or shoot a water gun.

"As far as dollars, we are up over last year, but actual amounts won't be known until after the fair is over and everything has been totalled together," Retzlaff said.

At one end of the fair grounds, Jeff Zinniel of Sleepy Eye is demonstrating his wood carving talents using a chain saw to create various works of art, including a Schell's beer stein created, on request, to celebrate the 140th anniversary of Schell's Brewery, scheduled for later this month.

The items, with the exception of the beer stein, will be auctioned off at 5 p.m. today. The auction did well last year, and a sizable crowd is expected today, Retzlaff said.

"We are doing a variety of events in commemoration of Schell's anniversary Sunday at the fair," Retzlaff said. "We asked Jeff if he would make a special stein for that. He never did one before, but he did an outstanding job. It has been carved and will be embossed with the Schell's logo. The Bockfest Boys will be performing as well (at 2 p.m. in the entertainment tent)."

She is working with members of the fair board and the Marti family regarding possibly donating the stein to Schell's after the fair is over.

In honor of Schell's, fair officials will be giving away up to $400 worth of Schell's merchandise throughout the day today. Anyone wearing clothes with the Schell's logo, or carrying anything with the logo will get prize, Retzlaff said.

The fair continues today with a WSCA Horse Show beginning 10 a.m. at the arena. Admission is free. There will also be State Fair meetings at 11:30 a.m. and noon; a 4-H photo shoot from 1-2 p.m.; 4-H premiere showmanship judging at 2:30 p.m.; and an Arts-In performance at 4 p.m.

The main highlight of the day will be the Brown County out-of-field antique tractor pull, scheduled at noon at the grandstand., which is a new event for this year's fair, according to officials.