New events highlight growing county fair

For the first time since the Presque Isle County Fair branched out on its own, there are going to be rides. There other events which have been added to the 2004 fair, but the rides have created the most buzz. Schmidt Amusements has been signed by the fair board to bring rides for four days of this year’s fair in Millersburg. “We’ve never had the grounds to speak of,” said fair board president Marlowe Paul, of not having them in the past. “We now have the space.” The fair, with its demonstrations, animal exhibits, games, and music will run Wednesday, August 25 through Sunday, August 29.

The Presque Isle County Fair began as a county fair in Millersburg in the 1920s and gradually became an agricultural fair, mainly conducted at the Posen Potato Festival. It moved to a temporary location at the Moltke Township Hall before returning to Millersburg. Since relocating to Millersburg, the fair continues to grow, and this year, the board decided to take some bold new steps with the addition of the carnival, a queen’s pageant, a horse speed race, and a tractor raffle.

“I HOPE it all works,” said Paul. Schmidt Amusements will be bringing eight rides, vendor booths, and games. They’ll be open from 4 p.m. to dusk on August 26; noon to dusk August 27 and 28; and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. August 29. The fair queen’s pageant will be at 6 p.m. August 26, with one of four young ladies to be crowned the fair queen. There are four contestants: Autumn Chesnutt of Onaway, and Jillian Liedtke, Vanessa Paquin, and Lacey Karsten, all of Rogers City.

The 2004 queen and her court will spend the next year promoting the county fair, as well as attending events in Onaway, Posen, and Rogers City. The horse speed show is Sunday at noon with 100 percent of the entry fees going back to the winners. The raffle of the $19,000 tractor is the final activity of the weekend, Sunday, August 29 at 3 p.m. Paul said tickets will be available during the fair.

WHILE SOME events have been added to help the fair grow, it wouldn’t be a fair without the animals and 4-H. Entries for the small and large animals will be accepted between 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. August 27. Small animal judging begins at 1 p.m. the same day, while the large animals will be judged at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 28. The annual livestock auction is scheduled for 6 p.m. “There will be a bidders luncheon proceeding that beginning at 4:30 p.m.,” said 4-H agent Ashley Roseberry. “For anyone interested in bidding on the animals, we are going to provide lunch for them. They’ll have time to review the animals.” Roseberry said the number of p

articipants and animals has continued to go up as the fair has grown.

ANYONE INTERESTED in being a bidder may contact the MSU Extension office in Rogers City. The number is 734-2168. The auction will take place at the recently-constructed merchant building. Exhibits will be open August 26, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; August 27, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; August 28, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; August 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Roseberry also said 4-H displays will be set up during the event, which officially opens Wednesday. Vendors will begin setting up from 6 until 9 p.m. Youth and open class entries can start registering at 7 p.m. August 25.

For more information, or to obtain a ’04 fair book, contact the MSU Extension office in Rogers City.

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