The 2008 Mower County Free Fair is coming Aug. 5-10 and there’s a lot going on in advance.

Next year there will be more to celebrate when the Mower County Fair observes its 125th anniversary.

Karen Wolff, the fair board’s office manager, is busy handling daily inquires from vendors and exhibitors.

Ron Osmon, chief fairgrounds caretaker, is applying the finishing touches to an already immaculate-looking fairgrounds.

Volunteers for the Austin Future Farmers of America chapter are refurbishing the exhibit pens at the popular Children’s Barnyard.

There’s new flooring in the historic Liebenstein Hall 4-H building.

Everywhere, pride is showing; so much so the fair board will introduce a special event in August to recognize pride.

The “Pride of Mower” awards program will be a new event presented at the Mower County Fair this year.

“The event will bring together and recognize those people and organizations of Mower County who contribute so much to improving the quality of life in our county and inspiring and encouraging all of us,” said Ken Trom, fair board secretary.

The awards being presented include “Outstanding Senior Citizen,” “Livestock Hall of Fame,” “Century Farm,” “Outstanding Service Organization,” “Farm Family of the Year” and “Fair Person of the Year.”

Recipients of the awards will also receive a gift provided by Farmers and Merchants State Bank, who is sponsoring the program. To nominate someone for an award, call 433-1868.

The program will be held at the Fair Square stage on opening night of the fair, Tuesday, Aug. 5, starting 7 p.m.

Masters of ceremonies for the event will be Dan Conradt and Carla Johnson. A meet-and-greet program will be held following the presentations.

Two of the awards are new: Outstanding Service Organization and Farm Family of the Year.

Nominations for the two awards are still being collected and may be submitted through Friday, July 25.

The Outstanding Service Organization honor is intended for a local unit and not a regional or district organization.

Presently, Trom is encouraging all the fair board directors to scour the county for candidates for the Outstanding Service Organization and Outstanding Senior Citizen of the year honors.

“I know there are plenty of candidates out there. We just have to find them,” he said.

For more information, contact the fair board administrative offices at the fairgrounds, 433-1868 or go online to mowfair@ smig.net.