MONROE - In less than a week's time, the Green County Fairgrounds has transformed into a bustling ecosystem of vendors, pavilions, rides and attractions, thanks to the efforts of dozens of volunteers.
One of them, New Glarus resident Rob Ready, has volunteered at the Green County Fair for five years - and throughout the community for more than 20.
"I had a lot of people help me as a kid," Ready said. "So I'm trying to help the next generation of kids."
Among other things, Ready helped set up the fair's equestrian events, as he has worked with horses since he was "about 5 years old."
The horse-related events - which include stunt riding and barrel racing - will hopefully get children interested in working with horses, Ready said.
"I'm hoping we can open up doors for these kids," Ready said. "Hopefully we can help these kids find mentors."
Ready said the value of working with horses does not only come from the relationship with the animal. Children who travel with rodeos learn about the business side of horse events and can learn valuable personal interaction skills. Others may become interested in other fields, such as genetics or medicine, thanks to their interactions with horses.
Ready called himself "only one volunteer out of hundreds," adding that he was grateful that the fair had provided much of the equipment necessary to set up the equestrian events. "So I feel OK paying them back by helping to set up the exhibition hall," he said.
When not volunteering at the fair, Ready - a lieutenant for the Madison Fire Department - coaches for the New Glarus Youth Baseball Association and volunteers at the Wisconsin Summer Camp for Burn-Injured Youth in East Troy. Ready said he takes several consecutive 24-hour shifts at the fire department to free up time to volunteer at the fair.
"A lot of my coworkers are into baseball or hockey," Ready said. "So I'll put in some extra time in the winter so they can go to their kids' hockey games, and they'll give me some summer time off for the fair."
This is kind of a passion of mine," Ready added.
One of them, New Glarus resident Rob Ready, has volunteered at the Green County Fair for five years - and throughout the community for more than 20.
"I had a lot of people help me as a kid," Ready said. "So I'm trying to help the next generation of kids."
Among other things, Ready helped set up the fair's equestrian events, as he has worked with horses since he was "about 5 years old."
The horse-related events - which include stunt riding and barrel racing - will hopefully get children interested in working with horses, Ready said.
"I'm hoping we can open up doors for these kids," Ready said. "Hopefully we can help these kids find mentors."
Ready said the value of working with horses does not only come from the relationship with the animal. Children who travel with rodeos learn about the business side of horse events and can learn valuable personal interaction skills. Others may become interested in other fields, such as genetics or medicine, thanks to their interactions with horses.
Ready called himself "only one volunteer out of hundreds," adding that he was grateful that the fair had provided much of the equipment necessary to set up the equestrian events. "So I feel OK paying them back by helping to set up the exhibition hall," he said.
When not volunteering at the fair, Ready - a lieutenant for the Madison Fire Department - coaches for the New Glarus Youth Baseball Association and volunteers at the Wisconsin Summer Camp for Burn-Injured Youth in East Troy. Ready said he takes several consecutive 24-hour shifts at the fire department to free up time to volunteer at the fair.
"A lot of my coworkers are into baseball or hockey," Ready said. "So I'll put in some extra time in the winter so they can go to their kids' hockey games, and they'll give me some summer time off for the fair."
This is kind of a passion of mine," Ready added.