Iron County Fair opens with horse show, music

SAXON, Wis. - Sounds of children laughing and cows mooing filled the air in Saxon Friday to mark the beginning of the 89th annual Iron County Fair.

Under sunny skies, children played traditional carnival games. With a smile on his face, Alexander Kundinger, 6, of Hudson, rode the merry-go-round with his grandfather, Jimmy Francis. Elsewhere, Mason Bendixen slid down the giant colorful slide.

Cows mooed in the barn as 4-H beef animals were judged. With careful consideration, judge Russel Rindsig awarded Brodie Erickson's steer, Moonica, the Best Beef Animal of the Fair.

Rindsig said he liked Moonica because the steer will do well in a bigger show.

"It's really a stylish calf," he said.

Brodie's mom, Farah, of Oma, said she was "very proud" of her son. "He spent a lot of time taking care of his animal this past year," she said.

At the horse arena, young riders competed in a 4-H show. Riders competed in a number of contests, including pole weaving and barrel racing.

Later in the evening, The Dweebs returned to the stage for a musical show fit for all ages.

Fair highlights today include an antique tractor pull at 11 a.m., a performance by Marty's Goldenaires at 1 p.m., the Bulls and Barrels Shock and Awe Rodeo by the Rice Bull Riding Company at 2:30 p.m., a 4-H livestock auction at 6 p.m. and a musical performance by Raised Reckless at 7 p.m.

The fair continues through Sunday, with cool, sunny weather predicted for the weekend.