The Mower County Fair officially opened on Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting and a salute to those who support of the fair, farming and community.

The tributes paid during the Pride of Mower County awards began with the late Bill Wuerflein and his wife, Vicki, who were honored as the Fair Persons of the Year, and members of their family. Several in the family have been longtime members and supporters of the Mower County Mounted Posse. Bill was captain of the group.

“Bill was very active in the posse, with kids,” said Mower County Fair President Kevin Finley. “We are very honored to have them as our Fair Family of the Year.”

Other awards were plentiful. Gerald and Diane Sampson, and Darlene Miller, were named to the Mower County Livestock Hall of Fame, and Barb Francis was named Outstanding Senior.

Mower County’s Century Farm award went to the descendants of the Joseph Mueller farm, now owned by Dick Epley. Matriarch Margaret Epley, 101 years old, was on hand to help accept the award.

The Mower County Farm Family of the Year award went to the Roger and Lori Read family of Lyle. The Mower County Mounted Posse was named Service Organization of the Year. The posse’s 14-member group is the only one in the state of Minnesota to have full control of security at a fair. It is also a search and rescue group that helps in natural disasters, and provides basic first aid and CPR when needed.

The Outstanding Wildlife Conservationists of the Year, recognized by the Mower County Soil and Water Conservation District, were Ben and Diane Jacobsen of LeRoy.

Color guards from the county’s veterans posts helped open the ceremony, as did the Austin Chamber Ambassadors.

Betsy Singer and her husband, Ken Quattrin of KAAL, served as masters of ceremonies.

Daily Calendar

Wednesday, Aug. 9 – Day Care Day

Light Horse Show, Horse Arena, 8 a.m.

4-H Dairy Show, Crane Pavilion, 9 a.m.

4-H Poultry, Rabbit and Poultry Barns, 9 a.m.

Day care activities (pre-registration required), Fair Square, 10 a.m. to noon

Carnival Opens (wristbands 5 to 10 p.m.), 3 p.m.

4-H Rabbit Skillathon, Rabbit and Poultry Barns, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Strong Man Show, Fair Square, noon to 1 p.m.

4-H Goat Show, Crane Pavilion, 1 p.m.

Open Poultry, Rabbit and Poultry Barns, 1 p.m.

4-H Cow-Calf followed by Cloverbuds and the 4-H Beef Show, Crane Pavilion, 2 p.m.

The Strong Man Show, Fair Square, 3 to 4 p.m.

Fair Parade, on the Fairgrounds, 4:30 p.m.

The Strong Man Show, Fair Square, 5 to 6 p.m.

Teen Dance, Fair Square, 8 to 10 p.m.

Them Pesky Kids, Beer Garden, 8 to 10 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 10 – Senior Day (Seniors age 65 and over park free of charge)

Open Class Rabbit Show, Rabbit and Poultry Barns, 8 a.m.

All Swine Show, Barrows, Gilts and Showmanship, Crane Pavilion, 8:30 a.m.

Exhibits for senior citizens, Fair Square, noon

Ray Sand and The Polka Dots Band, Fair Square, noon to 1 p.m.

Carnival Opens, Kid’s Day (wristbands $15, 1 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m.), 1 pm.

4-H Horse Fun Show, Horse Arena, 1 p.m.

String Man Show, Fair Square, 1 to 1:30 p.m.

Ray Sand and the Polka Dots, Fair Square, 1:30 to 2 p.m.

FFA Beef Show, Crane Pavilion, 4 p.m.

Fair Parade, on the Fairgrounds, 4:30 p.m.