Mineral County Fair to offer new events

"Always Fun in the 54" is the theme of the 48th Mineral County Fair set for Aug. 3-5, with many favorite events but a whole sack-full of new stuff.

Like the Youth Art Show that will be held in the Superior High School. There are three categories for any public or homeschooled student to enter with nifty prizes for top honors.

Rather than a petting zoo, kids will enjoy pony rides from an outfit in Idaho that has special sized horses for young’uns. And the crazy big inflatable bouncy ball get-up kids love jumping in will be bringing its baby sister for the smallest of the kids to play in away from bigger kids.

Hey, that pie-eating-contest that was held for the first time last year? Well, it’s back and they won’t be frozen this time (sorry ‘bout that!) so contestants should be able to gobble more in less time for prizes.

If you haven’t had a chance to visit the new Butterfly House at the Missoula County Fairgrounds, those folks are bringing up a smaller version of what they have to entice you to go see their Mothership this summer.

Don’t forget about the biggest parade of the year that is taking place on Saturday! If you want to be a part of it, there is a release form in the Fair Book that you’ll find on the counter of almost every business between Saltese and Alberton. That form needs to be filled out and dropped off at the parade registration table near the Flat Creek and east Mullan Road intersection between 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. Have you heard that Al and Nancy Acheson are the Grand Marshalls this year? Great choice!

You’ll be shakin’ a leg to live music each night, Go for The Gold Rodeo sponsored by the Superior LIONS, a talent show and a dog show (not the same event), bingo, 4-H livestock judging followed by the auction, Cabin Fever Quilters in the high school, the Methodist Men Pancake Breakfast each morning from 7 to 11 a.m.. The Fair Book has greater detail along with Open Class information for entering veggies, breads, pickles, meats, fruits, flowers and most anything else that might get a ribbon pinned on it.

Mary Jo Berry, Secretary of the Mineral County Fair Board is excited about the 2023 Mineral County Fair.

“We have a mostly new board and they are all go-getters and doing a fantastic job! For the first time in years, the decision was made to increase our prices. The conversation has been talked about for years, and with the price of everything increasing, the board looked at other scenarios and made the tough decision to increase. It’s not a huge increase if you think about what you are getting,” she explained.

“Most of our vendors totally understand our reasoning, but we’ve had a few who disagree and that’s okay. The community has been asking for a variety, food, vendors, etc. and this year they are going to get it.“

So far, 38 vendors will be selling food, T-shirts, raffle tickets, jewelry, Montana Made products…. you get the picture. Board member Maura Johnson went on to say that vendors are also having a devil of a time recruiting volunteers to fill shifts, and then the price increase knocked the wind out their sails.

“Every organization is in dire need of volunteers, not only to help them through the fair, but to keep their doors open,” she said.

Most of the service organizations in the county are being run by the long-time people who all have white hair (any hair) and they are plum tuckered out. Everybody is wondering if the spirit of volunteering to help communities is dying off?

An off shoot of the Mineral County Fair board is a brand spanking new 501C (3) with the handle, "Friends of the Fair, Mineral County." Once they became a full-fledged nonprofit, they became a sparkplug with new blood raising money with big ticket raffle items.

“Friends of the Fair is attempting to focus on improving facilities and access at the fair,” Johnson added as one of its founding members.

“What may be different this year from past fairs is the inclusion of so many local nonprofits coming to share themselves with our community,” beamed AnnaMarie White who is a new director but longtime volunteer for the fair. “We have Montana Kinship Navigator Project, Mineral County Juliette Girl Scouts, We Care, Area VI Agency on Aging, Prevention - Western Montana Mental Health Center, St. Regis Senior Center, Mineral County Recreation Club and Mineral County Conservation District just to name a few. And I’m actively still soliciting others! If anyone would like to participate, please contact me directly,” she said.

Several new local food trucks cooking a variety of menus will entice patrons to have all their meals at the fairgrounds over the three-day event. Handmade noodles bowls, homemade giant cookies, fruit cups, Philly steak sandwiches. and for the first time ever The Superior High School Coffee Cart while be whipping up Americanos all day long.

White enthusiastically shared more news.

“We’ve spent very little money to beautify the grounds and help patrons feel more comfortable and stay longer. You’ll see picnic tables with colorful umbrellas offering shade while folks enjoy their meals near the Food Trucks Circle-Up. I’ve purchased ten gorgeous hanging flower baskets from St. Regis FFA students that we’ll proudly be showing off! Then at dusk, nighttime outdoor hanging party lights will cast a moody glow.” As a fair volunteer, this is something White campaigned for as fair-goers requested low-lighting for the evening atmosphere.

“Our vendor booths that have seen better days have gotten a thorough once over with a fresh coat of paint and new countertops,” White continued. “We’ve ordered new colorful signage to help folks find where certain events are to be held and happening. Such as our Youth Art Show, Open Class Photography and Horticulture and the Quilt Show at the (Superior) High School. A separate area dedicated to our 'littles' that will offer a place for nursing mommy’s or diaper changing needs under shade is being sponsored by Mineral County Moms. I want everyone to feel at home!” smiled White.

Rodeo royalty will be hosting a Kiddie Rodeo with stick pony barrel racing, roping dummies and bouncy buckets for bull riding. The queen and both princesses will be available for photos in front of a rodeo themed backdrop as these young ladies have become role-models over the years through community service and their personal honor and character.

“We are a huge 4-H family and dearly appreciate the 4-H Program in Mineral County,” said White. “The confidence our girls have developed through raising livestock, I don’t believe could have been taught any other way to them.”

There are 33 Livestock Members so at the Market Auction, a combination of 33 hogs, steer and lambs will be sold to the highest bidder. This is one of the mainstays of the fair each year and the 4-H kids raising the livestock have followed firm rules set by the National 4-H Program on care and feeding.

Unless requested otherwise, Superior Meats handles the meat processing and will call when your animal is ready for pickup. There are some bidders and buyers who participate in the buy-back program if they do not wish to keep the animal but still want to help the 4-H’er who raised it.

For this option, the buyer pays the difference between the bid and the base price (market) offered by a support buyer. The support buyer then pays the base price and takes delivery of the animal. This is to financially help the stock grower with an additional bump in selling price.

“Buy-back amounts have not yet been determined for this year’s Fair,” shared White. “We do need Buyers! Buyers can register to bid by calling the Extension Office or let a 4-H’er know they’d like to be registered as a bidder and it will be done.”

The auction is at 1 p.m. on Saturday behind the 4-H barns and it doesn’t hurt to bring some sunscreen.

Talking with White, Berry and Johnson on organization challenges to make this a rootin’-tootin’ good time for everyone, White made an insightful observation.

“The world isn’t all doom and gloom like some might want you to think. There are still good, wholesome and honorable people all around us who want what’s best for you and want you to succeed and thrive. And when you assume the best, I think you’ll find out people often won’t disappoint you. By putting something so wholesome and honest as a County Fair out there in this modern sometimes disconnected world, it’s a pleasant treat I want to protect! Our small County Fair is a way to reach our local communities and a way to connect to one another while making a few coins for our own businesses, non-profits and personal projects not to mention while showcasing ourselves and each other.”