Racine County Fair

Some have never seen the county fair By Emmert Dose, Racine Journal Times, August 1, 1987. A sign of growing old, I’m told, is when one keeps thinking and talking about the past. But I can’t help doing that every year the Racine County Fair rolls around. I go to the fairgrounds and see the improvements every year, the new buildings, the blacktopped roads, the new features and I remember. I remember 1960, my first year in Racine and the first time I covered the County Fair as a news reporter. Coming here from Minnesota where county fairs were big events, I went to Union Grove to find a few wooden buildings lined up along the edge of Old Settlers Park. The fair officials spent the hot days in a small, hot brooder house. Small-time stuff, I thought. I asked myself, “They call this a county fair?” A few years ago, after more than two decades of expansion and improvement at the Racine County Fairgrounds, I was in Minnesota when my home county had its annual fair. I went. Not much had changed. Many categories paled compared to Racine County Fair entries. I asked myself, “They call this a county fair?” I’m not going to hype the Racine County Fair but I never cease to be surprised when a lifelong or longtime Racine area resident says he or she has never been to the County Fair. Never been to the County Fair? My year wouldn’t be complete without a trip or two to Union Grove for the fair. Where else can I scratch a goat’s nose? Where else can I eat a cream puff made by members of the Farm Bureau? Where else can a deplaced farm boy walk through a barn of cows, feel a sheep’s wool or admire a handsome horse? Where else can one see a building full of projects made by boys and girls and comment on the professional appearance of gun racks and rocking chairs built by 4-H members? Where else can one see so many items so well sewn, knitted, crocheted, baked, canned, carved, drawn or painted? Where else can one see so many rabbits at one time? Going to a fair is like old-home week. We were out Tuesday night, the first time the fair has had night judging. I ran into Elwin and Glee Leet, who have spent years serving the fair in one capacity or another. Elwin, a former county agricultural agent, was the fair secretary for many years. Glee always worked in the buildings where there were handicrafts, baking, quilting and such displays. She’s still doing that. Elwin works at the ticket gate now. We talked about the old days that night, about the small, hot brooder house the fair administration people worked in and about the vast improvements over the years. Years ago I said it would be nice if there were a big Case Co. display at the fair. Today there is. Years ago I said it would be nice if there were new barns for the animals. Today there are. Years ago, I said it would be nice if the poultry, swine and rabbits would be in permanent buildings instead of tents. Today they are. Last year we attended the Walworth County Fair, often called the granddaddy of Wisconsin county fairs. It’s a nice fair. But I’ll take the Racine County Fair any day. I told Elwin there are some things I might like to see done differently. Such as charge admission for performances in front of the grandstand and charge less at the gate. And (don’t let my friends hear this) I could get along without a beer hall. But overall, the Racine County Agricultural Society and anyone else who has had anything to do with making the fair what it is today should stand up and take a bow. Never been to the County Fair? If I hadn’t gone to the County Fair this year, I would never have seen the blue ribbon-winning photo of four cats, all their ears the same height, staring at the camera. That may not sound like much. You have to see it to appreciate it. But, as I said, I’m not going to hype the fair. Emmert Dose is the editor of Community.
Some have never seen the county fair
By Emmert Dose, Racine Journal Times, August 1, 1987.
Guest Editorial: Future of the County Fair, by Russell Rowe, a Kansasville farmer who is president of the non-profit Racine County Agricultural Society, sponsor of the county fair. Racine Journal Times, August 8, 1971. **Guest Editorial** **Future of County Fair** The season for county fairs is in full tilt, creating an enjoyable splatter of blue ribbon entertainment across the state. Attendance figures will be high, they have been going up every year. The Racine County Fair is expected to draw well over 40,000. The traditional county fair looks good on the surface, but actually about half of the county fairs are in financial difficulty. The Racine County Fair is doing all right this year, but its operating budget is always low and future prospects of state aid are cloudy. The money problem in large part dates to the reorganization of state government a few years ago when the fairs were taken away from the Agriculture Department and put in the Department of Urban Affairs. Before this reorganization, state aid for county fairs came from the state’s general purpose fund, but now it comes out of the profit of the State Fair. The future of the State Fair is in doubt. It is being held on grounds with dilapidated buildings and ways to revitalize it have been unsuccessful so far. The total aid channeled from State Fair profits to county fairs this year comes to about $360,000. But State Fair profits also are being used to service the debt on an ice rink and unless something happens to change the situation, state aid for county fairs is in jeopardy. The Racine County Fair at Old Settler’s Park is one of the larger ones in Wisconsin. It receives a state subsidy of about $6,000 for operating expenses and the Racine County Board is helping out with paying for three large buildings which have been constructed in recent years. **State Guidelines** The Racine County Fair is one of 76 county and district fairs in the state. Every fair is different because the facility, location and exhibits are different. The state, however, does set uniform guidelines in the form of a premium list on exhibits. State aid is paid on a percentage of premiums that come under the list. There is a good chance Wisconsin will lose its State Fair and that is too bad. I and other members of the Racine Agriculture Society have attended hearings in Milwaukee and Madison pertaining to the moving and maintaining of the State Fair. When we left the hearings, it seemed that something would be done, but nothing happens. I know it would cost millions of dollars to set up a new fair grounds, but I think Wisconsin needs a showplace, not only to be used two weeks out of the year, but as a year-around facility for exhibitors and recreation. It should be self-supporting if properly managed. If the State Fair goes, the county fairs will suffer. I have attended the county and district fair convention, and the feeling there was that a good many fairs could not operate without state aid. We of the Racine Agriculture Society believe our county fair has a definite place and serves a worthwhile function in this community. As long as we can put on the kind of fair that the people will come to and support, we will continue. **New Bleachers** We might have to ask the County Board for more help. We plan on having more events at the county fair grounds throughout the year. We have the new bleachers that were purchased last year and we feel they should be used as much as possible for such events as rodeos, horse shows and even snowmobile races in winter. The Racine County Fair is more than a livestock show and a carnival. It is one of the few places where city and country people can mix together in mutual pleasure. The county fair gives youth in 4-H, Future Farmers and Future Homemakers a place to show their animals and learn to compete. Competition, in turn, leads to progress. In historical perspective, the fair started as a festival at the harvest time so that farm families could come together, do a little socializing and see what the other fellow had accomplished. The fair today has grown into much larger purpose. It combines recreation, education in open classes and commercial exhibits by businessmen in the community. We believe it can have a good future just as it has had a good past and will do our best to keep it going. --- *Editor’s note: Today’s guest editorial is the first in what will be a regular weekly feature on the Journal-Times Opinion Page. Through these editorials, individuals will be able to express their own views on relevant topics. The author of today’s article is Russell Rowe, a Kansasville farmer who is president of the non-profit Racine County Agricultural Society, sponsor of the county fair.*
Guest Editorial: Future of the County Fair, by Russell Rowe, a Kansasville farmer who is president of the non-profit Racine County Agricultural Society, sponsor of the county fair. Racine Journal Times, August 8, 1971.
Racine County Fair, Union Grove, Wisconsin, Sept. 9-10-11. Racine Journal-News, September 8, 1924. **Racine County Fair** **Union Grove, Wisconsin Sept. 9-10-11** **PROGRAM** **Tuesday, Sept. 9th—Old Settlers’ Day.** 9:00 A. M. Gates Open. 10:30 A. M. Concert Burlington Harmony Band. 1:00 P. M. Old Settlers’ Program, Pavilion. 2:30 P. M. Free Acts in Front of Grandstand. 3:00 P. M. Baseball, Sturtevant vs. Racine Industrials. 7:00 P. M. Evening Show Opens. Free Acts, Concert, Riding Features. **Wednesday, Sept. 10th—McCormick-Deering Farmers’ Day.** 8:00 A. M. Gates Open. 9:00 A. M. Judging Begins in All Departments. 10:30 A. M. Concert Burlington Band. 1:00 P. M. Free Motion Pictures in Pavilion. 1:45 P. M. Address, Mr. L. A. Hawkins, of the International Harvester Work A Fine Talk. 2:30 P. M. Free Acts. 3:00 P. M. Baseball, Burlington vs. Eagle Lake. 7:00 P. M. Evening Show Opens. **Thursday, Sept. 11th—Racine-Burlington Day Children’s Day (Free for those under 14).** 8:00 A. M. Gates Open. 9:00 A. M. Judging Continues. 10:00 A. M. Concert, Waterford High School Band. 1:00 P. M. Concert by Schulte’s Band of Racine. 2:30 P. M. Free Acts in Front of Grandstand. 3:00 P. M. Baseball. Winner of Tuesday Plays Winner of Wednesday. 6:00 P. M. Official Closing of the 1924 Fair. **Come to the 1924 Fair—Be a Booster—Help Make It a Success** **PREMIUMS WILL BE PAID AS FOLLOWS IN ADDITION TO THOSE PUBLISHED IN THE PREMIUM LIST** **Department G — Bees and Honey** **Class 7 — Honey** | No. | Description | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |-----|--------------------------------------------------|-------|-------|-------| | 1300| Most attractive display of comb honey, labeled with name of variety | $5.00 | $3.00 | $2.00 | | 1301| Most attractive display liquid extracted honey, labeled with name of variety | 5.00 | 3.00 | 2.00 | **DEPARTMENT C — SHEEP** **Class 11 — Dorset-Horn Sheep** | No. | Description | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |-----|--------------------------------------|-------|-------|-------| | 1302| Ram, two and over | $7.00 | $5.00 | $3.00 | | 1303| Ram, one and under two | 5.00 | 3.00 | 2.00 | | 1304| Ram lamb | 3.00 | 2.00 | 1.00 | | 1305| Ewe, two and over | 7.00 | 5.00 | 3.00 | | 1306| Ewe, one and under two | 5.00 | 3.00 | 2.00 | | 1307| Ewe lamb | 3.00 | 2.00 | 1.00 | | 1308| Champion ram | Ribbon| | | | 1809| Champion ewe | Ribbon| | | | 1810| Pen 4 lambs, either sex, bred by exhibitor | 5.00 | 4.00 | 2.00 | **DEPARTMENT A — HORSES** **Class 11 — Standard Bred** | No. | Description | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |-----|--------------------------------------------------|--------|--------|-------| | 1811| Stallion, 4 years old or over | $15.00 | $12.00 | $8.00 | | 1812| Stallion, 3 and under 4 | 12.00 | 9.00 | 6.00 | | 1813| Stallion, 2 and under 3 | 10.00 | 6.00 | 3.00 | | 1814| Stallion, 1 and under 2 | 5.00 | 3.00 | 1.00 | | 1815| Stallion, foal | 4.00 | 2.00 | 1.00 | | 1816| Mare, 4 years old or over | 12.00 | 9.00 | 4.00 | | 1817| Mare, 3 and under 4 | 10.00 | 6.00 | 3.00 | | 1818| Mare, 2 and under 3 | 8.00 | 5.00 | 3.00 | | 1819| Mare, 1 and under 2 | 5.00 | 3.00 | 1.00 | | 1820| Mare, foal | 4.00 | 2.00 | 1.00 | | 1821| Stallion and 3 of his get (ownership not limited to one person) | 15.00 | 10.00 | 5.00 | | 1822| Champion Stallion. (Open to first prize winners only) | Ribbon | | | | 1823| Champion mare | Ribbon | | |
Racine County Fair, Union Grove, Wisconsin, Sept. 9-10-11. Racine Journal-News, September 8, 1924.
Fair Attracted 12,609; Biggest Crowd on Sunday. Racine Journal Times, August 8, 1960. **Fair Attracted 12,609; Biggest Crowd on Sunday** By Don Reed Journal-Times Staff UNION GROVE — The 38th annual Racine County Fair closed a successful four-day run, Sunday evening, with a total Sunday attendance of 4,061. The final day’s paid attendance brought the total for the four days to 12,609, slightly above the total of 12,587 of last year. **Ideal Weather** James Mangold, Fair Association treasurer, said the ideal fair weather swelled the attendance. On Sunday there was a drizzle of rain early in the morning but by the time the crowds arrived the skies had cleared and the sun shone throughout the remainder of the day. A daily breakdown of the paid attendance showed: Thursday, 1,800; Friday, 2,723; Saturday, 4,025; and Sunday, 4,061. Sunday was City of Racine Day and observers at the fair gates praised the support given to the fair by Racine residents. One gate-man said that 90 per cent of the autos coming to the fair came from the east end of the county. **Just Had Fun** The Sunday fair crowd spent the day just having fun. All of the judging had been completed so fair goers walked through the livestock barns and exhibition tents viewing the ribbon winners. The midway was crowded all day and the refreshment stands reported a record business. A free grandstand show in the afternoon and evening drew capacity crowds and an estimated 600 persons attended the quarter midget auto races during the afternoon. A parade of prize winning livestock was held before the grandstand crowd. **Modeled Clothing** Also during the afternoon members of 4-H Clubs of Burbank, Franksville, Kneeland, Linwood, Norway, Mygatts and Tucker, modeled clothing they had made. Vernon Molitor, superintendent of privileges, said all of the 65 commercial exhibitors were well satisfied with the response they had during the four-day fair. Although some vacant space was seen in the mercantile buildings, Molitor said the exhibits were excellent. Outdoor exhibits of machinery, house trailers and automobiles was also large. **Many Exhibitors** Elwin Leet, fair secretary, termed the fair one of the most successful as a total of 967 registered exhibitors competed in the judging contests in untold numbers of classifications. The number of livestock animals and other items judged would run into the thousands, Leet said. He pointed out there were 88 exhibitors in the open class competition and 879 exhibitors in the junior fair competition. --- **Photo caption (from the page):** Sunday was the final day of this year’s Racine County Fair, and fairgoers turned out in droves at the fair grounds near Union Grove. The day was weather-perfect and hundreds of automobiles were parked in fields surrounding the fair grounds. A portion of the parked cars are shown in top photo, the majority of which had brought Racine residents to the fair. Sunday also was labeled as “City of Racine Day.” The drivers and passengers poured through the gates, photo above, to view the exhibits, enjoy the midway rides and concessions, and spend a carefree day at the fair.
Fair Attracted 12,609; Biggest Crowd on Sunday. Racine Journal Times, August 8, 1960.
This combines two Racine History subjects -- WRJN radio station and Racine County fairs, July 30, 1958: HELEN THOMAS Will Conduct Special “PARTY LINE” Broadcasts from the COUNTY FAIR Thurs., July 31—7:30 p.m. Fri., Aug. 1 — 3:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Aug. 2 — 7:30 p.m. Meet her in person at these times in our Racine County Fair Exhibit WRJN Your Personal Radio Stations AM 1400 • FM 100.7
This combines two Racine History subjects — WRJN radio station and Racine County fairs, July 30, 1958:

HELEN THOMAS Will Conduct Special “PARTY LINE” Broadcasts from the COUNTY FAIR