Rediscovering home: The county fair

Nothing has changed during my time away as much as the Mineral County Fair.

The fair was little more than a few animals, photographs and baked goods (tasty as they were), when I grew up in Superior. The 4-H building (now called the Fair Building) was more familiar to us as a place for dances.  A band would rent it, and the fun would begin.  

How the fair has grown, led by the Lions Club’s Go for the Gold Rodeo. Saturday evening, folks were parked all the way up Fourth Street to Clark Conrow’s corner. My class celebrated its 50th reunion during the fair so I did not get to see as much as I wanted. The fair serves as a homecoming for many former residents.  

A visit to listen to music on Saturday night found the grounds alive, and the dance floor filled with folks of all ages. Thursday was family night at the fair, but it seemed like it was Saturday night as well.  “Saturday night was one of the biggest we ever had,” said Mary Jo Berry, secretary to the Fair Board.  

“Kids are asleep under the tree, while mom and dad are out there dancing,” said Berry. “It’s a safe fair, a fun fair, a family fair.” 

The rodeo and fair attract people from outside the county as well.  Berry noted one family from Florida that stopped while traveling through.  “We saw them all weekend here. They absolutely loved it.” 

Critics contend too much money is spent on bands, but she said, “You can’t get a crowd without a decent band.” She paid around $3,000 a band, which isn’t much when you consider it is split among band members, and the bands must travel here, set up, play, break down and return home. “The bands, that I am working with, like to come to Mineral County.  They call us (and say) I know your fair is coming up.”  

The fair is funded by the county and sponsorships. The budget for the fair was $47,100, which pays for the basics like garbage, utilities and wages for the maintenance person.   

The sponsors, who pay for the extras, get a banner and two tickets to the rodeo.  “They were gold this year.  The rodeo sold out very quickly this year.” 

Other than money, the fair’s biggest need is volunteers. The only paid person involved with the fair is the maintenance man, Ken Quick, who Berry says realistically makes about a dollar and a half an hour with the work required. 

While most fair activities saw increased participation, there were fewer nonprofits manning booths this year. Most of the booths are run by seniors, Berry noted, and those volunteers are often stretched then.   

“The young people need to step up,” Berry said, if the fair is going to continue to grow. 

About 80 volunteers helped out during the fair, but most of the advance work falls to the Fair Board members.  

Several events had record participation, or at least close to it. The parade was “one of the biggest ever” with 44 entries. Berry credited Ginny Tubbs with promoting the parade to area organizations. The Living Waters Worship Center hands out tickets during the parade. Families then gather at the fairgrounds as the church members draw winners. Berry said one’s heart warms when you “watch the little, tiny kids go up there” to collect their prizes.  “The fair board appreciates (the event).  It draws a crowd,” Berry said. 

Open class entries totaled 153 and there were 53 floral exhibits. Emily Park and the Montana State University Extension Office do yeoman’s work organizing the exhibits.  

The fair also featured a talent show, adult and youth art shows and an alumni evening for the first time (you will see it again next year). “The quilting show brings in a lot of people.  There were many beautiful quilts,” Berry said.  

Looking at the long range, one can see the fair is cramped, which would be worse without the cooperation of the school district.  

Parking is a problem that defies a good solution. Neighbors describe a “wild west show” taking place at times, with alleys blocked, horses getting loose and vehicles escaping traps by driving across lawns. However, the neighbors generally understand the importance of the event and take it in stride. 

A proposal to move the fair to the old sportsman’s club on Mullan Road was rejected, as it would move the fair outside the community and there was concern about fairgoers traveling down Mullan road. Berry noted local businesses benefit financially from the fair. Further, more space might lessen the cozy feeling one gets attending the fair. 

Carol Johnson, who served as board chair for many years, led a mainly unsuccessful effort over the years to have major improvements at the fairgrounds. A proposal was made to the commissioners last year to replace the Quonset hut with a stick building. Preliminary architectural and constructions estimates put the cost around $300,000. The building would have had handicapped bathrooms and a commercial kitchen and would have booths attached. The commissioners apparently saw higher priorities for the money. 

"We put lipstick on a pig – that’s what we do every year,” Berry said.   

I helped complete improvements to the Senior Center booth this year and can relate to her statement.  Volunteers worked many hours to improve the booth that deserves the title “senior.” 

More than one person has told me that Superior and Mineral County are coming back to life after years in the doldrums created by the closure of the sawmill.  Investments, both financial and human, are beginning to be made in the community, and such investments are vital if the pride is to be fully returned.   

Berry said she was “pleased with pretty much all that happened this year and am looking forward to making it next year even bigger and better.” She and fair board need the community’s help to make it so.

The Fair Board meeting at 5 p.m. Aug. 27 at the fairgrounds offers opportunities for gripes, suggestions and getting involved. There is talk that some find the fair needs to be even more family friendly and see the beer garden and live music at night contrary to that goal. Berry said the fair board has a responsibility to provide what the entire community wants, so it is important that the board hears from a broad spectrum of voices. 

P.S. Ugh! Third time is a charm.  It’s Meierle.