Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Winners chosen early as fair opens Friday

SAXON, Wis. - The poultry and rabbits were active with a cool north breeze drifting through their weekend home at the Iron County Fair in Saxon on Friday.

Two geese were cackling in their cage, greeting fair-goers who were checking out the poultry barn that was full of animals.

The clouds left and the skies brightened in the early afternoon as cattle judging was taking place in the livestock ring in mid-60s temperatures.

A familiar face to fair-goers, Dan Meyer, was judging cattle in the show ring, offering his comments about the animals. He said a young Hereford bull shown by Brooke Piilola was a bit bow-legged, but appeared strong and has potential to become a sound adult.

The champion hogs and steers were on display in the cattle barns, having been judged in the morning.

The barns included a pair of Hereford hogs named Luna and Reba, raised by Morgan Thomas and Ty Sivula. They were taking a nap in their sawdust bed.

With color patterns similar to Hereford cattle, the hogs can reach up to 600 pounds, but Luna and Reba aren't quite that big.

The 1.5 inches of rain that fell the day before softened up the mud run pit and served to keep the dust down for the three-day fair.

In the 4-H building, the best of show winners that were judged before the fair were displayed on a large table, with the huge gold ribbons signifying the excellence of the exhibits.

The large carnival was scheduled to open at 2 p.m. Friday and the food booths were beginning to do some brisk business, although the cool weather kept ice cream sales down a bit.

New at the beer booth this year, fitting the cattle competition, is Spotted Cow in cans.

The fair opened with a double dose of entertainment on Friday night, as Lake Effect was followed by the Dweebs.

Today's highlights include the antique tractor pull at 11 a.m., followed by the Red Clay Classic mud runs at 1 p.m. and the 2:30 p.m. Bulls and Barrels Shock and Awe Tour with bull riding in the horse arena.

Marty's Goldenaires drum and bugle corps will perform at noon today, with Lake Effect, Finn Power and White House Players also providing musical entertainment.

The traditional horse pulling contest begins at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Johnny Propane performs at noon and the pie auction begins at 3 p.m.

 
 
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