By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Despite late storm, fair stays the course
13071a.jpg
Times photo: Brian Gra From left, Joel Dieckhoff, 14, and Deb Dieckhoff, both of Brodhead, and Jessica Schieldt, 16, New Glarus, help clean up Monday after the Green County Fair. They and other 4-H club members helped clean up the fairgrounds. Deb Dieckhoff said it doesnt take long to get things cleaned up, because so many 4-H club members volunteer to help.
MONROE - With the exception of Friday night, when lightning and rain forced the midway to shut down and the Neal McCoy concert to be canceled, attendance at the Green County Fair was typical, Fair Board President Sam Kaderly said.

About 23,000 people attended this year's fair, he said.

There were 3,889 people at the fair Wednesday; 5,836 people Thursday; 3,136 on Friday; 4,971 people at the fair Saturday; and an estimated 5,700 people at the fair Sunday.

Those numbers are about average, Kaderly said.

"Obviously the weather hurt us Friday," he said.

The weather always is a wildcard during fair week. Sometimes the warm temperatures can keep people away. Rain always is a possibility, and while it might be welcomed by farmers, it isn't always a popular attraction for people who want to enjoy the rides or sample food.

Friday's weather was an exception rather than the rule.

"The other four days were phenomenal," Kaderly said.

Kaderly and other fair board members heard lots of good things about the rides this year.

"We've heard very positive comments about the midway. People were happy with it," he said.

Saturday's Fur and Feather auction numbers were down a little, but it still could be considered a good year, Green County ag agent Mark Mayer said.

The feather auction brought in $13,030 for the kids who sold poultry. The large animal sale brought in $201,256 for the kids.

The average price for a pig was $3.41 a pound, which is almost 10 times the amount a pig would be worth at the market.

"That's a record high for the fair," Mayer said.

Mayer said sheep sold for an average of $3.57 a pound, and steers sold for an average of $1.33 per pound.