A century long & still going strong

The O'Brien County Fair is gearing up for a celebration 100 years in the making this week.

The local fair turns 100 in 2024, and organizers are thrilled to mark the occasion in style July 19-25. Fair board President Darwin Gaudian said he is proud of the O'Brien County staple and looked forward to the week ahead.

"There have been just a lot of years of work to stay together this long and keep everything going," he said. "I've been a part of it for about 40 years, and seeing how it is today, it's just changed a lot over the years."

Gaudian said one of the biggest changes at the fair during its 100-year existence has been expansion.

"A lot of our buildings were from the Fifties and Sixties," he recalled. "The fair was growing, but we weren't growing structurally-wise."

Thanks to county and state funding, the fair board spearheaded renovations and additions that exhibitors enjoy today.

"Everything is pretty steady," Guadian said. "We have lost a few 4-H clubs over the years, but it's still a nice show."

Another change has been a bolstered entertainment lineup during the last 20 years.

"There was a time when the only entertainment was races," said Guadian. "Around 15 years ago we added the Bill Riley Talent Show and some other attractions, and we get a pretty good crowd out every year."

While entertainment and food bring in people who may not have attended the fair otherwise, Guadian said the primary focus is still on local youths' projects.

"We try to show the kids that we care about them and that they have an opportunity to stay in small towns and not leave for a big city," he said. "There are a lot of former exhibitors who've stayed and planted roots here."

Guadian said there's something on this year's schedule for everyone.

"It's a time to celebrate with the kids and check out what they've accomplished," he said. "Come out to eat, relax and enjoy yourself."

• Schedule

The fair kicks off at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 19, with the 4-H non-livestock judging in the open class building on the fairgrounds in Primghar.

Open craft exhibits can be brought to the fair on Saturday, July 20, with registration starting at 7:30 a.m. Anyone from O'Brien County is encouraged to exhibit, and the entry fee is only $1 per exhibitor.

The special class in photography this year is "Then & Now." Entries must be an 8x10-inch recent photo with no matting or frame. Bring along your original picture that was taken as the "before" picture. "Cupcakes" is the feature open class baking division this year, with the classes being chocolate, any other than chocolate, and a "decorated" cupcake especially for the 100th anniversary.

The Primghar JC's will have their fifth race of the season Saturday evening, with the flag to drop at 7 p.m.

There will be a worship service on Sunday morning, July 21, hosted by Grace Fellowship Church of Hartley, at 10 a.m. at the fairgrounds.

In the afternoon, the horse show will be held beginning at 1 p.m. The dog show will begin at 4:30 p.m.

"The Browns" from LeMars will provide a concert on the Wayne Maass Memorial Stage at 7 p.m. This family offers great music, everything from jazz to country and everything in between.

The O'Brien County fair board welcomes the Bill Riley Talent Show to the Wayne Maass Memorial Stage at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 22. There will be two divisions, sprout and senior, with the winners advancing to compete at the Iowa State Fair. Past O'Brien County Fair queens and kings will be recognized prior to the 2024 coronation.

Everyone is welcome to enjoy a pancake breakfast prepared by the O'Brien County 4-H Foundation, beginning at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23. A spelling contest is scheduled to be held at 10 a.m. at the Maass stage area. You may register for this event that morning, starting at 9:30.

Kayla James will do a juggling stage show at 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Ag Olympics will be held later that afternoon, as well as a skid loader rodeo at 4:30 p.m. At 5 p.m. the pedal tractor pull registration will begin, with the pull starting at 5:30.

The musical group "She's With Us," featuring Iesha Toft, of Royal, will entertain on the stage Tuesday evening, beginning at 7 p.m.

The fair board is hosting a cinnamon roll contest in the Open Class Craft Building on Wednesday, July 24. Registration starts at 11 a.m., with a 1 p.m. start for the contest. O'Brien County Farm Bureau is providing prize money.

Kayla James will again entertain at 2 p.m. The Share the Fun acts by 4-H members will start at 5 p.m., followed by the style show and project awards.

ATV races will be held at 6 p.m. and the JC's will have another figure-8 race at 7:30 p.m., with fireworks to follow. This will make for a busy night of action.

The livestock auction will be held on Thursday, July 25. A ribbon auction will also be held for 4-H'ers who do not participate in the livestock projects.

The petting zoo will be open daily at 10 a.m., and the "fair train" will be providing rides for the kids throughout each day.

The various livestock shows begin with the horse show Sunday afternoon. Monday's schedule includes the rabbit show at 9 a.m., the sheep show at noon, the poultry show at 12:30 p.m. and the goat and dairy shows to follow. The beef show begins at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, with the Clover Kids bottle bucket calves to show at 3 p.m. followed by the 4-H bottle bucket show.

The swine show is set to begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, with a "Premier Champion" in showmanship of all species to be awarded in the early afternoon. In celebration of this year's anniversary, there will be an "Alumni" showmanship show following each species show, with signup for that event to be that day.

Fair exhibit details, updates and a complete fair schedule, as well as times for the livestock shows throughout the week, can be found on the O'Brien County Fair website: obriencountyfairiowa.com and on the O'Brien County Fair Facebook page.