By Edwin Scherzer
Correspondent
With the last days of summer winding down, you can rest assured events and activities at the Walworth County Fairgrounds will be gearing up. The fair literally brings something for everyone, from 4-H members showing livestock to the Beach Boys serenading audience members at the grandstands. Throw in food, midway rides and vendors selling everything from kettle corn to corn pellet stoves and suddenly you are soaking in the Fair.
Being at the fair for a day or even the entire week has a familiar feel, so much so even a regular fair goer might assume nothing ever changes.
Walworth County Fair Board member Becky Merwin and the rest of those in charge of the 164th annual event say they’re always looking for new things. One new addition ties in perfectly with this year’s fair theme “Race to the Fair”, duck races, “We will have duck races, they are mallard ducks and they pick folks out to race the ducks and whoever wins gets a duck whistle,” Merwin said. Children and others who are interested can also pet the ducks after the races taking place in Kiddieland.
The owners, Mr. and Mrs. Duck, no, their actual legal name, come from New Mexico, were most recently at the Wisconsin State Fair and should not be missed. Also on a racetrack right next door to the ducks is the Swine Time, racing pigs. While the Fair has seen its share of pig races in the past, these new portly racers are pot bellies, and the team from Missouri gets the crowd involved by selecting audience participation.
A new gazebo structure and venue on the westernmost fairgrounds will feature an artisan village, where attendees will see blacksmithing, stained glass and pottery being made. A farmer’s market will be an extension of the village selling fresh produce. The area will have a renaissance fair feel, while being visually entertaining. Additionally a new scrap iron artist will set up shop by the Wiswell Center, creating art from abandoned metal.
Of course, no trip to the fair would be complete without food. Whether your taste buds favor the flavor of sweet corn, turkey legs or something deep fried, the fair has an amazing array of eats. Sometimes feeding a family can be expensive and the fair responded, “We asked our food vendors if they would have one item on their menu that would be family friendly, and a majority of them have come back supporting this,” Merwin said. Those vendors selling the value meal item will have a special checkered flag at their food stand so anyone looking for a bargain can find it easily.
Seating at the fair while enjoying those delicacies.
Over the years the fair has found ways to charge for things once free, such as parking and for grandstand admission to the demo derby. Concerts used to be free no matter where you sat. Now you pay for the good seats. I’m glad the food vendors are willing to offer some breaks on cost; wish the fair would too! And why was Pat’s Skee Ball evicted? At 25 cents a game it was the best fun you could have for the money. This is still a great fair but it isn’t the cheap fun it used to be.