Denice Mudra knows the Mower County Fair.

Saturday, August 07, 1999

Denice Mudra knows the Mower County Fair.

She has been there, done that.

She has watched her children, a boy and three girls, grow up at the annual August celebration of country life as 4-Hers.

She has assisted others in organizing and running various County Fair events as a 4-H parent and member of the Mower County Extension Committee.

This year she is the Fair Board office manager and will view the County Fair from an administrative perspective.

She has seen the County Fair inside and out. While her husband, Tony, prefers chili dogs, she’s a jalapeno poppers fan.

When it comes to entertainment, she prefers Fair Square. Why?

"I think it’s gotten better over the years," she said.

While the grandstands feature the "big" acts, the Godfather’s Pizza Fair Square features the "not-so-big" attractions.

The entertainment is all free and it’s varied. Obviously, the Fair Board tries to offer something for everyone.

This week’s lineup is packed with special attractions, including Puddy on Tuesday; Sacha, The OffCenter Band, teen talent show, Six Mile Grove rock band, Insynque and Austin Mayor Bonnie Rietz on Wednesday; Senior Citizens Day, Mel’s Polka Stars, Tina and Lena, the preteen talent show, Century Farm awards by the Mower County Fair Bureau, T.J. Sound Karoke on Thursday; Jim Jayes Puppet Show, amateur talent show, Buck Hollow band on Friday; SAVED! gospel music group, Banjo Bandits, 4-H Share-The-Fun acts, Heartland Country Dancers, Christensen Sisters, Who’s haunting Phil" rock band on Saturday; and the Old-Time Fiddlers contest, Bubbles the Clown, Amateur talent show finals and Jim Jayes Magic Show on Aug. 15.

However, there are other special attractions offered by the Mower County Fair Board in their constant effort to keep the County Fair "fresh," but also a continuation of tried and true events.

The Rochester Fire Department will display their traveling fire safety exhibit Aug. 13-15; a horse-pulling contest takes place Aug. 14 in the horse arena; the always popular mule contest is Aug. 12; the most beautiful gladiolus flowers will be on display August 13 in the horticulture building; Lynn Kittleson will broadcast his popular Minnesota Farm Network live radio show from Fair Square at noon Aug. 12; and all during the County Fair, there will be a Kiddies Farmyard with a "Scarecrow" garden.

Long-standing events are sure to attract crowds, including the induction ceremonies for the Mower County Livestock Hall of Fame scheduled at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday at Crane Pavilion and immediately prior to the 1999 Midwest Steer and Heifer Show.

The Mower County Cattlemen’s Association is recruiting entries for the Beef Cook-Off scheduled at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in front of Crane Pavilion, where the Midwest Steer and Heifer Show will be held that night.

Once again, local "celebrities" will compete in a celebrity livestock show 4:30 p.m. Thursday in Crane Pavilion.

For more information about the 1999 Mower County Fair, contact Denice Mudra, County Fair office manager, at (507) 433-1868.