Grant County Fair connects youth with community

With arts and crafts displays, animal barns, political booths, vendor offerings, carnival rides and much more, the Grant County Fair has something for everyone.

The Grant County Fair is a long-standing tradition, rooted deep in our agricultural community. At one time, people used the fair to show off their livestock, crafts and homemade food and clothes. This is still the case, but society has changed, people are busier, and homemade clothes and recipes made from scratch aren't as prevalent.

Even so, the spirit of the fair is still alive and well in Grant County. Youth groups, like 4-H and FFA, help keep area youth active by teaching them how to save, budget and care for a fair animal. The animal can be as big and expensive as a 1,200 pound steer on down to a 3-pound rabbit.

During fair week, steer, horses, pigs and sheep are shown before judges and the public. Youth have to perform under pressure in the heat against their peers. They have to show judges how well they can handle and care for their animals all while making it look easy.

The fruits of their labor are shown at sale day Friday, when stock is auctioned to the highest bidder before a big audience of their peers and the community.

Many kids use the money for school clothes, cars, and their college funds. Their parents and 4-H and FFA leaders deserve some credit too because of the work, commitment and patience involved with mentoring youth and working with animals.

Nonprofit food booths raising money for charities are another highlight. Groups like the Rotary, Kiwanis, Lioness, Lions, Block 40 and Knights of Columbus have many of their volunteers out this week working in their respective food booths. (If we failed to mention a civic group, please accept our apologies, as so many great groups make up the fair)

We appreciate all the volunteers' work, and efforts from fair staff to make the event a great one.

We encourage you and your family to learn more about agriculture and check out the Grant County Fair this week.

Editor's note: This editorial originally appeared during fair week last year. We think the message is worth repeating, especially in the times of declining budgets and fewer county fairs.

- Editorial Board