Good weather, good times seen at Gogebic County Fair

By P.J. GLISSON

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Ironwood - Despite ominous weather reports directly before the Gogebic County Fair, Mother Nature smiled upon what turned out to be a busy four days that were loaded with activity at the Ironwood site.

"We had a great weekend," said James Byrns, chairman of the county Fair Board, at a Monday meeting.

According to Fair Coordinator Marlene Saari, the daily and seasonal tickets sales totaled 5,091. That's a significant rise from last year's combined sales of 4,058.

In addition, Saari said that the Sunday pie auction resulted in $16,815 in sales, and a quilt auction the same day took in $678. All of those funds go toward future fair costs.

Sharlene Shaffer was named Homemaker of the Year. Ed Lakner was named Adult Volunteer of the Year, and Jaylee Somero was named Youth Volunteer of the Year. They are all from Ironwood.

Several fair structures were off limits this year. The exhibition building remained closed for the second year in a row due to needed repairs. The grandstands and poultry barn also were closed off due to pending demolition.

The grandstands normally get significant use by viewers of events such as harness racing and mud racing. This year, however, fairgoers appeared to take the loss in stride and instead used bleachers and benches that were brought in and set along the track fence line.

"It's really fun," said Michelle Tomas of Sagola, as she watched Friday's harness racing. "You think you're flying. It's amazing."

She said that her friend's husband, who is a harness race driver, allowed her to try it once.

"This is total Americana," said Tomas of the fair at large. She added that she's happy to see that such county fairs still exist.

Volunteers, including county 4-H kids, worked hard to give poultry a well organized new home within about one-half of a race horse barn.

"It looked nice in there. It really did," said Fair Board member Linda Nelson.

Like last year, exhibitions were displayed in the multipurpose building of the fairgrounds, which also provided a home for the 4-H ice-cream booth.

Members of the Northern Lights Quilting Guild displayed colorful and intricate quilts made by members. One had been fashioned from leftover masks made during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guild members also offered live demonstrations over three days.

Ardith Carlton was in charge of antiques, which included a long list of categories, including "items of curiosity."

As an example, she displayed bookends that included two little metal ashtrays set within Rocky Mountain goats' feet. Other items included a Japanese Batman game, a stamp collection, and an 1868 book written in German.

To quality for display in the antique division, Carlton said the item must be at least 50 years old.

Another category managed by Corky Visminas featured small figurines, including a small army of horses in all types and colors.

Some of the new activities at this year's fair included a booth by the Ironwood Carnegie Library, a display of stock cars, a craft show and a flea market.

Live music was provided on Aug. 10 by Superior Horns and Blue Ice and on Aug. 11 by Mike McGee, Flashback and Outlaw'd.

Attendance is free to seniors on Friday, and that day also resulted in a free hamburger or hot dog lunch at the Aurora Club pavilion. Mary Kusz of Ironwood organized that event, which was made possible by donations from a local business. Club volunteers prepared and served the food.

Next year's fair will run from Aug. 8-11.

The Fair Board will meet next on Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. in the meeting room of the fairgrounds' multipurpose building.