Fair opening spotlights 4-H
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 7, 2002
"What would the County Fair be without 4-H?" asked Ron Seath. "4-H people comes to the fair day after day. They are the County Fair."
The Mower County Fair Board has named Mower County 4-H the recipients of its Outstanding Fair Person of the Year award for 2002.
Seath, a former long-time Mower County Extension Service agent for 4-H, and Ann Walter, his modern-day equivalent, accepted the award at Tuesday's opening ceremonies for the 2002 Mower County Fair.
This is the 100th anniversary of the creation of 4-H and special observances will be held Friday to commemorate the occasion for Mower County 4-Hers and their families.
The ceremonies were held in historic Crane Pavilion, which has been the focal point of over $250,000 improvements this summer.
Joel Nelson, the Fair Board's marketing director, was master of ceremonies.
Nelson introduced the Four Word Followers music ministry group from Blooming Prairie. Brothers Howard and Rolli Kittleson and their sisters, Janette and Judy provided musical entertainment with a patriotic theme.
Loren Hanson, president of the Fair Board, welcomed guests.
Color Guards from every veterans organization in Mower County marched into Crane Pavilion carrying the American and state flags to start the ceremonies. American Legion posts from Grand Meadow, Lyle, LeRoy, Austin, and Adams, as well as Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1216 and the Disabled American Veterans chapter and Minnesota National Guard were represented.
Guest speaker was Norm Hecimovich, a retired long-time school principal and retired decorated U.S. Army veteran, who served in the Korean War, Vietnam Conflict and Operation Desert Storm.
Hecimovich was introduced by Ken Trom, Fair Board director, who planned the patriotic themed open ceremonies.
Hecimovich said America's veterans have an "unfailing love
of their country." that, in part, motivates their military service.
He also discussed American flag history and concluded his remarks with the familiar "I know but one country … ." essay. Hecimovich received a long ovation from the crowd.
Special guests were introduced and Four Word Followers added Lee Greenwood's classic song, "God Bless the USA."
The Austin Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the crowed and the 2002 Mower County Fair was declared officially open.
In the audience were former Outstanding Fair Person of the Year award winners including Cy Halsey, Ella Marie Lausen, Gerald and Margie Meier and Dave and Jan Andree.
Ms. Lausen, also a Mower County Livestock Hall of Fame member with her father and uncle, said the passing of time hasn't dimmed her enthusiasm for the Mower County Fair. "I still get excited about coming to the County Fair every year," she said.
Fair Board director Neal Anderson said, "Things have changed a lot since I was a kid and showing 4-H projects, but it's still the Mower County Fair. It's our Fair and we've got a good one."
Another Fair Board director, Don Konken, was even more enthusiastic. "The County Fair is going to be even bigger and better this year," said Konken. "We've got new thigns like the Energy Tent and we're happy to have a John Deere exhibit with us this year. We've got something for everybody. You just wait and see."
Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at
:mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com