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Meet the oil that keeps the fair's wheels turning
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By Judy Hanson
Green County Fair Board
As you visit this year's Green County Fair, July 21-25, take notice of all the people it takes to make this fair happen. It all begins with the Fair Board. The fair is owned by stockholders, who elect a nine-member board to handle the day-to-day business of the fair. The current board consists of President and Swine Superintendent-Sam Kaderly; Vice President and Superintendent of Amphitheater, Steve Digman; Secretary and Superintendent of Speed, Joyce Binder; Treasurer, Judy Hanson; Superintendent of Dairy, Duane Meier; Asst. Superintendent of Dairy, Nathan Hartwig; Superintendent of Beef, Bryan Witt; Superintendent of Concessions, Marvin Rufi; and Superintendent of Goats and Sheep, Dave Koning. All board members have been members of 4-H/FFA and/or have had children involved in 4-H/FFA. This experience gives us an insider's view and understanding of the fair and its activities. Helping with the youth part of the fair is the staff of the Green County Extension office. They contact judges, recruit volunteers to act as superintendents for the different project areas, work with the youth auctions, organize the paper work necessary for all the youth activities, help enforce regulations and answer lots, and lots of questions involving the fair. Ag Agent Mark Mayer; 4-H Agent, Alissa Grenawalt; and secretaries Kristi Leonard and Jayne Butts, all add 4-H/FFA involvement to their resumes as well. Before we can begin with our fair activities, the grounds has to be readied. Gene Wilson heads up the grounds crew, with assistance from board members and Kellie and Dennis Wilde. Work begins early with mowing, repairs and general maintenance. During the fair they help with just about anything that needs doing, from bleacher moving, garbage can emptying, to the next big emergency. If there is no communication, we are in trouble. That's where Tower Sound comes in. They handle all our sound needs, from paging equipment, to the sound and lighting equipment for the grandstand shows. Electricians are on call during the entire fair to handle any problems that may arise. A big thank you goes out to all the area news media. Without their help in promoting the fair, area residents would not know about the fair's activities. These media include Big Radio, The Monroe Times, Independent Register, The Brodhead Free Press, Valley Leader Pecatonica, Post Messenger and Channel 15-Madison. The board hires all the entertainment, security, office help and cleaning staff. Also hired is a staff to man the gates, sell and take tickets and direct activities in the grandstand. The Rock Valley Veterinary Service provides the fair with assistance in doing all the health checks that are required for animals to be allowed to show at the fair. Members of the fire department and EMS are present at all activities where their assistance may be required. There are 11 major Green County Fair sponsors, who add financial support to the fair - The Swiss Colony; First Banking Center; Precision Drive & Control; Reffue, Pas, Jacobson & Koster; Ruda Chevrolet Toyota; Sloan Implement; Marv's Farm Toys; New Glarus Brewing Co.; Bronzed Image Tanning Salon; 1st Community Credit Union; the Monroe Times; and Studer Super Service. All the trophies and special ribbons given each year at the fair are also provided by local donors. Be sure to say thank you, the next time you do business with any of these local businesses, who help support our fair. Last, but not least, are the members of the local organizations, that are there to lend a helping hand in the food stands and booths, all the vendors who are there to offer up their wares and the carnival workers who keep the midway running. The fair only happens when we call come together. See you at the Green County Fair.