Local News
Monroe County Fair celebrates Albia’s 150th anniversary
This year’s theme, ‘Timless Traditions,’ pairs with the sesquicentennial
ALBIA — County fairs have a long history; everyone knows that. But organizers of this year’s Monroe County Fair are trying to give those historic ties to the community a special emphasis this year.
Angela Tratchel, the 4-H youth coordinator, said this year’s theme of “Timeless Traditions” pairs with celebrations of a major anniversary for Albia.
“Our fair this year has a special theme to it. Albia is celebrating its 150th anniversary,” she said.
That’s a sesquicentennial, for those who want the specific term.
The fair opens today with the livestock weigh-in. The process of getting large, sometimes uncooperative animals to hold still on a scale takes time, leaving little for festivities until Friday. That’s when the exhibits open.
Friday also marks the start of the animal shows. Many of those will have special guests. Tratchel said the fair invited grand champions back to be honored at the start of this year’s competitions. Finding those people meant searching through 73 years of cattle results, 50 years of winners for swine and sheep and another 46 years of champions from the horsemanship competition.
There are no definite figures for just how many of those past champions will attend, but Tratchel said as many as half the winners have indicated they will try to make the fair.
While the exhibits and some animal judging takes place during the day, Friday evening will be a major focus as the fair crowns its 2009 king and queen.
The fair is open all day Saturday, ending with a demolition derby. A dance caps Sunday’s kids day, which schedules a variety of events for children and their families.
The final livestock auction ends the fair on Monday.
Matt Milner can be reached at (641) 683-5359 or via e-mail at mwmilner@mchsi.com
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