Iron County Fair draws crowds

By MEGAN HUGHES

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SAXON, Wis. - The Iron County Fair drew crowds to Saxon last weekend, with people gathering to enjoy fair goodies, live music, demonstrations and shows at the fairgrounds as temperatures reached the 80s.

The celebration ran from Thursday through Sunday with a variety of events.

Saturday's live music performance by Snake Oil performance was a big draw and part of the busiest day of the fair, with rides open into the evening, a crowd flocked to the field in front of the grandstand to watch their performance.

Other musical acts at the fair included Shawn Kitto, Flashback, Dave Cormier and IV Play.

Penokee Range 4-H members brought their best to the fair, with livestock and other entries on display for judging. There were also the highly anticipated livestock and pie auctions.

The livestock auction on Saturday afternoon was as popular as ever, and raised more than $90,000. All money raised at this auction went directly to the member who raised that specific animal, according to organizers.

Many of the animals were groomed ahead of the auction to have them looking their absolute best. This included a steer raised by Brant Swartz, named Ricky. Ricky was scrubbed down by Swartz's mom, Natalie, in preparation for the show. "He's so sweet," she said about the steer, "and really friendly."

Sunday brought the annual pie contest and auction, drawing a large crowd in and around the pavilion, that began gathering an hour in advance of the bidding.

There were 43 pies entered for the tasting competition and set before a panel of judges.

This year's grand champion adult pie - a wonderment of peach and blueberry - was baked by Deb Leonard, a veteran pie baker who has won the first place ribbon a number of times in the past.

The youth grand champion pie was baked by Azaylia Jewell, 9. According to her mother, this was her first time entering a pie. Her pie was a strawberry pretzel pecan.

Once the auction began, bidding was fast and furious. Leonard's pie bought $300. Some other pies went for upwards of $500.

Jason Rowe purchased Jewell's pie for a record-breaking $2,000, according to 4-H organizer Neil Klemme.

"That last pie put us close to last year's auction," said Klemme. He said there were a few more buyers this year and that Jewell's pie easily broke the record for a single pie. "I think the last record was around $1,400."

This year's pie auctioneers were Nolan Salzman, who made his return at the fair after a year off as auctioneer, and Mackenzie Backman. The pair traded places during the auction, calling out for bids as a team of volunteers walked the crowd, keeping an eye out for potential bids. Members of the 4-H walked the pies around, including Lauren Geach, 11.

"I didn't bake a pie," said Geach. "I'm just walking them." She is a member of the 4H Green Team.

All of the money raised at the pie auction will be used to fund 4-H programming in the area, ranging from their agricultural and science projects to trips to various conventions and other experiences.

Penny Lutz won the Iron County Champion Exhibitor Award. She entered more than 130 items into the fair displays. She had a total of 3,445 points.

The winner of this year's 50/50 raffle was Jim Harma. The prize was $1,635.

On a Facebook post following the closing of the fair, officials announced that this year marked a record attendance, with more than 7,600 people visiting the fair.

The post reads: "We are so thankful to every volunteer, every vendor, every exhibitor, every performer, every attendee. The fair could not happen without all of you. We love our community and we love putting on this event each summer. While we're sad it's over, we're excited for next year."