143rd McLeod County Fair opens today
The 143rd McLeod County Fair is slated to open today (Wednesday). The fair runs through Sunday, Aug. 23.
Wednesday
The fair officially opens at 1 p.m. today, but the 4-H and open class goat show starts at noon. Other 1 p.m. events include the senior citizen program with entertainment by Sugar Loom in the Corporate Tent; Century Farm presentation, Corporate Tent; midway opens; and Lake Superior Helicopter rides until sunset.
Other events throughout the day include:
“All About Alpacas,” presented by Margaret Long, Legacy Stage, 2 p.m.; Wally Pikal in the Pavilion, 2:30 p.m.; Country Schools Interactive Experience by the McLeod County Historical Society, Commercial Building, 2:30 p.m.
Golden Entertainers Bell Choir, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 3 p.m.; fun and games horse show, outdoor arena, 3 p.m.; “Revamping Objects With Paint for Home Decorating,” presented by Amber Haugen, Legacy Stage, 3 p.m.
“History of Tea in United States 101,” presented by Lani and Shawne Worely, Legacy Stage, 4 p.m.; TDI Chapter 252 Therapy Dogs, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 4 p.m.; 4-H Beef Show, Show Arena, 4:30 p.m. “History of Quilting,” presented by Lynette Jensen, Legacy Stage, 5 p.m.; Mona Hjerpe & Friends, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 5 p.m.
Free sweet corn, 6 p.m. until gone; Prairie Rose Band, Budweiser Stage in the Corporate Tent, 6:30 p.m.; motocross, grandstand, 7 p.m.; nightly drawings, Commercial Building, 9:30 p.m.
Thursday
Lake Superior Helicopter rides, 9 a.m. to sunset; 4-H Dairy Show, Show Arena, 9 a.m.; Christian Lilienthal animal show, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 10 a.m.; “Sustainable Agriculture,” presented by Jerry Ford, Legacy Stage, 11 a.m.; Tuey Wilson, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 11 a.m.
“Organic Farming Panel,” Legacy Stage, noon; Christian Lilienthal animal show, Miller Manufacturing Stage, noon; Ken Wanovich, Pavilion, 1 p.m.; “Quality Produce From Garden to Table,” presented by Laura Frerichs, Legacy Stage, 1 p.m.; Tuey Wilson, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 1 p.m.
4-H Swine Show, east end of Swine Barn, 2 p.m.; “Oh, Honey,” presented by Wayne and Cindy Rusch, Legacy Stage, 2 p.m.; Theatre of Fools, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 2 p.m.; “Country Schools Interactive Experience,” Commercial Building, 2:30 p.m.
“Cook Fun Dishes with Local Produce,” presented by Tiffany Haag, Legacy Stage, 3 p.m.; Oaks and Pines Bell Choir, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 3 p.m.; 4-H Lamb Lead, Sheep Barn, 3:30 p.m.
“Cooking with Flameware Skillets,” presented by Betsy Price, Legacy Stage, 4 p.m.; Theatre of Fools, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 4 p.m.; 4-H SeaPerch Robotics exhibit, 4-H building, 4 p.m.-7 p.m.; 4-H sheep show, Sheep Barn, 4:30 p.m.
Gravel Road, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 5 p.m.; “Growing Orchids,” presented by Janet Dolezal, Legacy Stage, 5 p.m.; old-time sing-along with the Beer and Hymns Band, Legacy Stage, 6 p.m.; open class horse and pony halter judging, show arena, 6:30 p.m.
Ladies of the ’80s, Budweiser Stage, 7 p.m.; motocross, grandstand, 7 p.m.; nightly drawings, Commercial Building, 9:30 p.m.
Friday
4-H Horse Show, 8 a.m.; Lake Superior Helicopter rides, 9 a.m. until sunset; The On-Time Circus, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 10 a.m.; 4-H Poultry Show, Small Animal Courtyard, 10:30 a.m.; “Photography in the Digital Age,” presented by Kristine Leuze, Legacy Stage, 11 a.m.; juggler Jason Huneke, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 11 a.m.
“An Early History of Lester Prairie,” presented by Charlotte Ehrke, Legacy Stage, noon; The On-Time Circus, Miller Manufacturing Stage, noon; Andy Austin, Pavilion, 1 p.m.; “Minnesota Byways,” presented by Doug Ohman, Legacy Stage, 1 p.m.; juggler Jason Huenke, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 1 p.m.
“Norwegian Potato Lefse,” presented by Rosanne Simonds, Legacy Stage, 2 p.m.; Ole & Lena at the State Fair, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 2 p.m.; “Country Schools Interactive Experience,” Commercial Building, 2:30 p.m.; “Chive Dumplings, a Family Food Tradition,” presented by Charlotte Ehrke, Legacy Stage, 3 p.m.; the Gary Mons/John Beck Duo, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 3 p.m.
“Minnesota State Parks,” presented by Doug Ohman, Legacy Stage, 4 p.m.; Ole & Lena at the State Fair, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 4 p.m.; 4-H SeaPerch Robotics Exhibit, 4-H Building, 4 p.m.; kids pedal tractor pull, 4:30 p.m.; 4-H auction buyer appreciation meal, Show Arena, 4:30 p.m.
Stony Point, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 5 p.m.; “Zen Tangle,” presented by Shanda Landes, Legacy Stage, 5 p.m.; 4-H livestock auction, Show Arena, 5:30 p.m.; “Making Sauerkraut & Turtle Soup,” presented by Virgil Vacek, Legacy Stage, 6 p.m.; autocross, Grandstand, 7 p.m.; Hairball, Budweiser Stage, 8 p.m.; nightly drawing, Commercial building, 9:30 p.m.
Saturday
Lake Superior Helicopter rides, 9 a.m. until sunset; open class sheep show, Sheep Barn, 9 a.m.; 4-H rabbit show, Small Animal Courtyard, 9 a.m.; open class dairy show, Show Arena, 9:30 a..m; Cogley Sisters, Budweiser Stage, 10 a.m.; bean bag tournament registration, Pavilion, 10:30 a..m; Lego building, Creative Arts Building, 10:30 a.m.
Kevin Hall comedy and magic, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 11 a.m.; “Big Toy” rides, grandstand, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; draft horse hitch show, outdoor arena, 11 a.m.; “History of McLeod Rural School Houses,” presented by Lori Pickell-Stangel, Legacy Stage, 11 a.m.; bean bag tournament begins, South Tent, 11:30 a.m.; “Prescribed Burning for Better Habitat,” presented by Joe Stangel, Legacy Stage, noon; Dazzling Dave Yo-Yo Master, Miller Manufacturing Stage, noon; Clown Town, Horticulture Courtyard, noon.
Joe McPherson, Pavilion, 1 p.m.; “Chopped - 4-H Style,” 4-H Building, 1 p.m.; “Changing World of Robotics,” presented by the Hutchinson High School Robotics Team, Legacy Stage, 1 p.m.; Olen & Lena at the State Fair, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 1 p.m.; 4-H SeaPerch Robotics Exhibit, 1 p.m.-7 p.m.
“Maple Syrup,” presented by Lonnie Schmidt, Legacy Stage, 2 p.m.; Pinewood Derby races, Boy Scout Tent, 2 p.m.; Dazzling Dave Yo-Yo Master, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 2 p.m.; “Country Schools Interactive Experience,” Commercial Building, 2:30 p.m.; drawing for bike give-away, Corporate Tent, 2:40 p.m.
“Imagination Legos,” presented by Lego League, Legacy Stage, 3 p.m.; Kevin Hall comedy and magic, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 3 p.m.
Ole & Lena at the State Fair, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 4 p.m.; 4-H Round Robin, Show Arena, 4 p.m.; “Changing World of Robotics,” presented by Hutchinson and Eagan high schools, Legacy Stage, 4 p.m.
“Essential Oils,” presented by Connie Karstens, Legacy Stage, 5 p.m.; Kevin Hall comedy and magic, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 5 p.m.; “Belly Dancing,” presented by Tiffany Tieche, Legacy Stage, 6 p.m.; tractor pull, grandstand, 6 p.m.
Outlaws and Blackhawk with Maiden Dixie as the opening act, Budweiser Stage, 8 p.m.; nightly drawing, Commercial Building, 9:30 p.m.
Sunday
Lake Superior Helicopter rides, 9 a.m.-sunset; car and bike show registration, northeast parking lot, 9 a.m.; open class beef show, Show Arena, 9:30 a.m.
Create Your Veggie Car, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 11 a.m.; veggie races, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 11:30 a.m.; 36th annual McLeod County Talent Contest, Corporate Tent, noon;d“Eat Smart, Move Naturally & Connect Wholeheartedly,” presented by Heart of Hutch, Legacy Stage, noon; 4-H Dress Revue, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 12:30 p.m.
Draft horse halter classes, Outdoor Arena, 1 p.m.; “Old-Time Dancing,” presented by Polka Lovers Klub, Legacy Stage, 1 p.m.; 4-H SeaPerch Robotics Exhibit, 1 p.m.-7 p.m.
Wendinger Band, Pavilion, 2 p.m.; “Saving Monarchs,” presented by Lindsey Lucas, Legacy Stage, 2 p.m.; Patchouli, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 2 p.m.; “Country Schools Interactive Experience,” Commercial Building, 2:30 p.m.
“Let’s Clean Naturally,” presented by Patti Rutledge, Legacy Stage, 3 p.m.; junior driver cart team and farmers’ obstacle course, Outdoor Arena, 3 p.m.; car and bike show trophies awarded, northeast parking lot, 3 p.m.; presentation of dairy herdmenship awards, Arena, 3 p.m.; The Cogley Sisters, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 3 p.m.
Hutchinson Brothers, Legacy Stage, 4 p.m.; Patchouli, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 4 p.m.
Xtreme Demolition Derby, Grandstand, 5 p.m.; Beyond the Yellow Ribbon “Welcome Home” recognition program, Grandstand, 5 p.m.; Mona Hjerpe and Friends, Miller Manufacturing Stage, 5 p.m.; Whitesidewalls, Budweiser Stage, 5:30 p.m.; nightly drawing, Budweiser Stage, 8:30 p.m.