Preparing to go to the Fair
by Tammy Mathison
hpioneer@itctel.com
Emily and Joseph Rybinski practice walking their calves with a lead rope to prepare for showing them at the Lincoln County Fair.
From young Cloverbud and 4-H members to the most seasoned participant, throughout Lincoln County people of all ages are getting ready for the 2010 Lincoln County Free Fair, which will be held July 29-31 and Aug. 1 in Tyler.
At 91, last year’s Lincoln County Senior Citizen of the Year, Leona Christianson of Hendricks, has also been recognized for being the oldest fair participant. Christianson said that while neither she nor her children were ever in 4-H, over the years she has entered many items including cookies, embroidery and quilts for judging at the fair.
Gail Kvernmo of Hendricks has been participating in the Lincoln County Fair since the ‘40s and ‘50s, beginning with her own experience as a 4-H member. “It was so much more detailed in my day,” said Kvernmo. “In November we knew what we would take the following year to the fair. Today it is more relaxed. The records aren’t as detailed as they used to be either.”
Through the years she has remained involved with 4-H and the fair with her children as members and now her grandchildren. Kvernmo and Karen Zylstra are the Superintendents of the Kitchen and Pantry at the Lincoln County Fair and Kvernmo judges at the Pipestone, Lyon and Yellow Medicine county fairs and at the Minnesota State Fair. In addition to working with the fair, Kvernmo also participates, entering items of her own to be judged in the Open Class division. She pointed out several freshly made jars of jelly that she will be entering in the fair. “I get excited,” Kvernmo said. “Right now I am looking at the premium and making a list of what to bring.” She said she will also be checking her flowers and garden regularly to see what to bring.
Kvernmo commented on some of the changes she has seen in the 4-H program over the years. “You know, 4-H started out as a rural program and for animals, you could only take cows, sheep or pigs. They have since added small animals and horses and the projects are more modern. There is entomology for example and the clothing can be purchased now in addition to handmade items. The kids learn how to read labels and compare the cost and time compared to making the item by hand. Knitting and crocheting can also be done by machine. It encourages kids to use the sewing machine in a different way. Cooking is another thing. Today there is Modern Baking, where you can use mixes. And, we can cook healthy. Back in my day, we had cream and eggs. Who read labels back in my day? Today they are learning to read labels and look at the sugar and carbs,” said Kvernmo.
“We are keeping old skills alive, but changing the way of thinking,” said Kvernmo. “There is change taking place and we had to do that on the premium list,” said Kvernmo. Kvernmo said that she and Zylstra look at the premium lists from the surrounding county fairs to see what they are doing and make changes to the Lincoln County premium list as needed.
“I love it. I love working with kids,” said Kvernmo commenting on her judging experiences at the fairs. “You do drink a lot of water,” she said with a smile. “I try to be constructive in my judging and I tell them ‘see you next year’ and I hope I do see them the next year,” said Kvernmo.
Kvernmo is a strong advocate and supporter of the fair, and encourages others, like Leona Christianson to enter items and brings them down to the fair herself. “I’ll call about 50 people to see if they got the premium list,” said Kvernmo. “Then I will ask them what they are taking this year, and let them know to get it to my house by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 28th,” said Kvernmo. “If anyone wants to send something to the fair, just give me a call and have it out to my house by no later than 6 p.m. on the 28th,” Kvernmo said. “I’ll take it down.”
As Cloverbuds, Emily and Joseph Rybinski, children of Shelly (Orren) and Joe Rybinski are just getting started on their Fair experiences.
They, with some help from their parents, have been busy getting their calves ready to show at the Lincoln County Fair.
When Cloverbuds show their animals, it is required that an adult also have a hand on the lead rope, however, the judges do direct the questions to the child.
While Joseph said that he is “kind of nervous” about the fair since this is his first time, Emily, a second year fair goer, is excited. The children explained that they have been walking with their calves a couple of times a day to train them on the rope and their next step will be giving the calves their first bath. “We’ll use baby shampoo and brushes,” said Emily.
“It’s fun,” said their mother, Shelly commenting on being in 4-H. “We like it. It’s so family oriented. It involves the whole family and we have some good times. I enjoyed 4-H as a kid and that’s one of the reasons I wanted my kids in it. There is so much variety.”