Iron County Fair now underway at fairgrounds in Saxon

By P.J. GLISSON

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SAXON, Wis. - The Iron County Fair got off to a rolling start with registrations starting on Thursday evening at the fairgrounds in Saxon.

There was activity throughout the grounds, with riders running their horses in formation on one end of the property while 4-H exhibits stood ready on the other end. In between, stalls for cattle and goats were mostly full while registrations were expected to continue into Friday.

Spread throughout were food and beverage sites, along with game booths and carnival equipment all standing empty but ready for crowds expected throughout the weekend.

Registering her horse was Diane Foris of Ashland, who was with her little granddaughter, Jaida Hanzlick of Colorado. Jaida was all smiles with an outfit completed by little cowboy boots.

Foris said her horse's barn name is Nelson, but his registration name - sort of like a stage name - is "Classical Minute."

Cortney Ofstad, Gogebic County Fair secretary/treasurer, was checking them in.

"She's going to show all day tomorrow and all day Sunday," said Foris of Jaida, "and Grandma is showing on Saturday."

Foris assured that Jaida has been "practicing and practicing" and is set to "learn a lot."

Meanwhile, in the cattle barn, Larry and Diane Erickson of Oma were visiting with longtime friends and neighbors, Jerry and Melissa Movrich, whose main home is in California.

The Erickson farm is a 4th-generation farm that has been operating since 1900.

The Ericksons already had registered their polled Herefords, who looked a little confused about their new surroundings.

Both Nala and Tulip had their calves with them - Ruby and Beth, respectively - and at one point they both decided to nurse at the same time.

Erickson said Tulip, 11, had won multiple accolades over the years, including the status of grand champion.

Jerry Movrich raved about the Erickson animals, calling them "such good stock" and "healthy and gentle."

In the next aisle of the cow barn, Matt Luoma of Saxon was preparing to wash a couple of yearling heifers named Maggie and Tilly. He said they are a mixed breed of Angus Hereford Simmental.

As he led Maggie outside of the barn, she began balking, and Luoma explained that she was upset about being separated from Tilly, who is her best buddy.

"They've been in the barn all winter," he said. "They've been together all winter. They're nothing but big pets."

Maggie calmed down when Tilly also was led outside, and Luoma proceeded to hose, soap and scrub them in preparation for their weekend showing.

"They love it," said Luoma of the washing process. "I've actually had them drink water out of the hose."

Luoma said that, since, 2001, he has worked at the Luoma Farm of his grandparents, Eugene and Joan Luoma. The farm has been in existence since 1918.

"There's no time off," he said. "You're always working."

He added, "When we're done showing (the animals), I've got to haul six antique tractors here."

There's always a reward, he said, when he sees people's reactions at the fair.

Regarding kids interacting with the cows, he said, "When you see them petting them, it's all worth it."

He also recalled that, at a previous exhibition of antique tractors, an old man had tears in eyes as he recalled his own memories of working a farm.

Larry Erickson said that the fair, in general, comes down to "lots of history," with many families and farms having been involved for years.

Also in stalls in the cow barn were several animals raised by 4-H members who were expected to sell them at today's livestock auction at 6 p.m.

Near the fair entrance, Neil Klemme, 4-H Youth Development leader for the University of Wisconsin Extension Office in Hurley, was in the 4-H Youth Building, supervising a neatly arranged exhibit of entries by 4-H students.

Judging for the 4-H entries - which includes a variety of artwork and homemaking items - already had taken place on Sunday and Monday.

"We're down in exhibitions this year," said Klemme, "but the judges were all impressed with the quality of the projects."

He added that he has encouraged 4-H members not to bring in every single project on which they've worked. Instead, he said, "I've tried to instill in them that 4-H is where you bring your best."

Front and center at the 4-H exhibition area is a grand prize painting by Jayme Harma of Hurley. Klemme said that she has been in 4-H since she was a young child and just graduated from Hurley High School this year.

Next to the 4-H exhibits also were silent auction items that ultimately will help to fund the Sisu Endurance Team, the 4-H camp program, and state or national trips by 4-H members.

Klemme said that funds earned from the dairy booth funds and the Sunday pie auction also will finance 4-H needs.

He reminded that pies must be checked in by the 1 p.m. judging time, with the auction to follow at 3 p.m. in the pavilion.

Check the full fair schedule and many other details at ironcountyfairwi.net.