Click here to see pictures from the fairgrounds.

8:00 a.m. - Department F Sheep

8:00 a.m. - Department G Swine

10:00 a.m. - Department O Cakes and Candies (open judging)

11:00 a.m. - Department L Potted Plants and Glads (closed judging)

11:00 a.m. - 4-H livestock and article consignment deadline

1:30 p.m. - Harness racing

2:00-4:00 p.m. - Pick up 4-H premium checks at 4-H office at north end of fairgrounds

3:00 p.m. - Senior citizens entertainment, in Special Events Building

4:00 p.m. - Lin Pro dance, in front of Special Events Building

6:00 p.m. - Luehrs' Ideal Rides open

7:00 p.m. - Pig and Calf Scramble meeting

7:30 p.m. - Children's Chicken Scramble and Goat Scramble

8:00 p.m. - Pig Scramble (ages 9-15 as of Aug. 6, 2000)

9:00 p.m. - Calf Scramble (ages 12-17 as of Aug. 6, 2000)

8:00 a.m. - Chili Cook-off

8:00 a.m. - Department A Open Beef

8:00 a.m. - Department H Junior Beef

8:00 a.m. - 3-on-3 basketball

1:00 p.m. - Harness racing

2:00 p.m. - Luehrs' Ideal Rides open

6:00 p.m. - Quarter midget races

Kid’s Day-Kid’s Way 2000

Special contests for kids at the fair

[AUG. 3, 2000]  The theme of Kid’s Day-Kid’s Way 2000 at the Logan County Fair is "Mark the Millennium." Events for kids ages 2 to 12 will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, in the South Exhibition Building. Winners will receive prizes and tickets for Luehr’s Ideal Rides.

Competition and concessions - 1-3 p.m.

Competition

• Jump rope

• Hula hoop

• Water balloon toss

• Obstacle course

• and more!

Concessions

• Logan County Extension
• Family Nutrition Program – 2000 snack and bingo

• Farm Safety 4 Just Kids – safety tips

Contests - 3-4 p.m.

• Longest and shortest braid
• Longest and shortest pigtails
• Mom/daughter look-alike
• Dad/son look-alike
• Mom/son look-alike
• Dad/daughter look-alike
• Sibling look-alike
• Best "2000" attire
• Guessing jar

[AUG. 1, 2000]  How many years does it take to be considered the oldest 4-H'er around the hog barns at the Logan County Fair? Here in the town of Lincoln, 67 years in 4-H seems to be the going rate. That's right, Herb Rogers of rural Emden has been involved with 4-H since he was 16 years old. In the early years, Herb showed dairy and beef cattle. Later he moved on to showing hogs.

Herb mentioned that he has a few favorite moments from being involved with 4-H. Not necessarily choosing one thing as a favorite, Rogers stated, "Meeting a lot of kind people was and still is a favorite part of being involved with 4-H. It seems as time goes by, the more you show with 4-H, the more friendly people you meet." Rogers also said that "the competitiveness was always a plus."

Even though Herb was never a 4-H leader, he always encouraged kids to start young. "It's a great thing for kids to be able to be competitive and to want to win, but winning isn't everything." The motto of the 4-H club is, "To make the best better." Rogers also says, "Kids should never give up. Even if they don't win at first, their turn will come along."

Rogers remembers that as he was growing up, he worked extremely hard to have his pig become a champion at the International Livestock competition, but he never made it. Thereafter, Rogers worked even harder with his oldest son, but still no luck. Finally, working to their heart’s content, Roger, along with his youngest son, Matthew, got their barrow (pig) to the competition. At that competition Matthew received the Grand Reserve Champion barrow. From there Matthew also got his barrow into the Governor's Auction, where he received $14,500 for his pig. Herb remembers being envious and happy at the same time. He was envious that he had never gotten the chance to be in that position, but happy that his son had won.

Herb Rogers says that there is life after being in 4-H. He loves to attend showings. "It's always intriguing to be on the sidelines to see how eager the kids are to win," he says.

These days Herb is still around the fairgrounds, accompanying his grandchildren during the 4-H shows. Last year he helped his granddaughter, Casondra, show for the first time. This year it will be his grandson, Matthew's, first time to show.

The emblem of the 4-H members is the four-leaf clover. Herb said excitedly, "I can go out into a clover patch and automatically find a four-leaf clover. I must be a lucky man to be involved in such a great program for so many years."

(To top of second column)

A goat ate
Kara’s cup

Favorite, funniest fair events
[AUG. 4, 2000]  This year’s Logan County Fair has proved to be an intriguing attraction for visitors and vendors alike. From food to rides and other attractions, the fair has it all.

D.J. Fielder, 7, of St. Louis exclaimed, "The harness races are my favorites! I got the chance to meet a participant of the races, and his horse won, so I got to have my picture taken with the winning horse!" D.J. was accompanied to the fair by his grandmother, Janet Milleville, and his great-grandmother, Mabel Butler. Milleville says, "My favorite thing at the fair is definitely the food. I don’t care for the rides much." Mabel Butler stated in agreement, "The fair food is also my favorite."

Dena Hunter, 12, and her 7-year-old sister, Kara, both of Broadwell, agreed that the funniest part of the day was when a goat from the petting zoo ate Kara’s cup as well as the food in it. Dena and Kara were planning to attend the tractor pull later that evening with their parents.

Jane Smith, who works for Taft’s Concessions of Springfield, said, "Business this year has been on track compared to other years. Although I spend most of my time working, I definitely enjoy it when I get a chance to view the nearby exhibits."

Taft’s employee Jamie Long added, "Meeting the people is the best part of working at the fair. After a while, you get to know the repeat customers and eventually you know what they are going to order before they tell you."

[Cassie Hewitt]

Chatting with fans

At the racetrack

[AUG. 4, 2000]  A small but an enthusiastic crowd cheered on the horses as they roared down the backstretch of the Logan County Fairgrounds racetrack. That was the scene early Thursday afternoon as the harness races took center stage at this year’s county fair. Harness racing has long been a staple of the fair lineup and continues to be enjoyable for veteran race fans as well as newcomers.

Second-year attendee Roger Hunter of Mason City says, "Harness racing is the only thing I come to see at the fair." Hunter was accompanied by his friend Randy Elsberry of Lincoln, who stated, "Harness racing is definitely my favorite, but the demolition derby is a close second."

Dan and Marilyn Meyer of Lincoln attended Thursday’s races along with Dan’s sister, Mary Jane Novak, and her husband, Frank. These couples have been attending the races for many years – some since they were children.

Dan and Mary Jane vividly recall childhood harness rides on horses owned by their grandfather. Now they play the role of spectators, which they enjoy nonetheless.

"The main reason for watching the harness races is because I like the horses," said Frank Novak. It seemed to be a unanimous vote on the reasons behind attending the races.

Although viewing the races is for mere entertainment, Dan Meyer offers a theory for picking the winners of each race. Meyer explained, "I consider the appearance, stride and build of each horse. I also hope for a lot of luck."

Harness racing continues Friday, beginning at 1:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 p.m., so come on out and see what all the talk is about.

[AUG. 3, 2000]  The first people to greet visitors who enter the Logan County Fairgrounds are unsung heroes. The gatekeepers work diligently each day of the fair from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. without receiving much publicity or glamour. However, this is a job they wouldn’t trade for anything.

[Jack Kuznik and Dave McGraw have manned the West Gate for around 30 years.]

An overall favorite of the gatekeepers is "meeting new people."

According to Dave McGraw, the best part is "remembering the old acquaintances and meeting new people." McGraw first started working the gates in 1966 and still loves every minute of the job.

[Ace Hinman meets and greets at the East Gate.]

Harrison Turley, a 10-year veteran gatekeeper, says, "We get especially busy from about 4:00 on. The demolition derby is my favorite, and it’s also one of the busiest days."

Ace Hinman has been working the Logan County Fair gates for 40 years. Hinman exclaimed, "This job is great; the people are great; and best of all, people really don’t complain, and that makes this job easier."

So if you head out to the fair this week, give the gatekeepers a warm hello. They’ll appreciate the friendliness.

[Cassie Hewitt]

Businesses meet the public
[AUG. 3, 2000]  The midway walk and Exposition Building of the Logan County Fairgrounds has proven to be the perfect site for local businesses to advertise. Business such as P&M Communications have been manning booths at the Logan County Fair for 13 years, elaborated owner Bob Metz. "Business really excels after the fair, especially for two months afterwards," Metz exclaimed.

There were also a few first-timers at the fair this year, including businesses such as Lincoln Logan Insurance Service and Drake Eyecare Center. These businesses are hoping to gain a boost in customers due to advertising at the fair, similar to that of P&M Communications.

Although advertising comes first, the employees of these businesses have still found time for leisure activities. Harlan Atteberry and Robert Jeckel, both of Lincoln Logan Insurance Services, feel that some of the best things about the fair are "meeting people and visiting the livestock barns." When Jeckel was growing up, "Coming to the fair was my summer vacation. I was always showing animals, so I practically lived at the fair."

For area businesses, the fair proves to be an outstanding way to meet new people and gain customers.

[Cassie Hewitt]

[AUG. 2, 2000]  Competitions were the order of business Tuesday morning as the Logan County Fairgrounds in Lincoln played host to the beginning of the 64^th annual Logan County Fair. Contestants from all over the area took aim at various titles in competitions featuring floriculture, arts, ceramics and rabbit showing.

Judging for the floriculture competition began at 11 a.m. as anxious competitors put the finishing touches on exhibits. Pat LaForge of New Holland has been involved in flower competitions at the fair for "about 15 to 20 years." LaForge, along with her husband Wayne, produced 81 entries for this year’s fair. LaForge excitedly stated that competing "takes a lot of work, but it’s definitely worth it!" Pat’s accomplishments in past floriculture events include winning the Steve Gleason Memorial Award last year. This award is presented to the contestant who displays the best arrangement of three different types of cut flowers.

[Pat and Wayne LaForge relax after presenting exhibits at the floriculture competition.]

Also presenting at the floriculture competition was two-time defending state rose champion Dan Keil of Decatur. Keil and his daughter Shawnda compete throughout the area at competitions including the Macon County Fair, Illinois State Fair and Heart of Illinois Fair. He noted, "We like to support the different fairs, but the Logan County Fair always has one of the better flower shows. This fair seems to show more flower exhibits than other fairs."

The ceramics competition was overseen by Scotty Hinman of Lincoln, who also teaches a ceramics class at the Lincoln Park District. As the assistant superintendent in charge of ceramics, Hinman noted that this year’s competition included 17 entries. According to Hinman, her job is to "place the pieces in the correct category and to make sure they are presented nicely. I am also present during judging and when the exhibit closes so that the contestants can get their things."

The art competition shares the same building with ceramics. Art judge Andrea Niehaus, a Lincoln resident, said, "I look for entries with completeness, balance and originality. I like to see people put their thoughts into perspective. It’s nice to see the individuality of the artwork."

Amanda Baker was one of the 152 artists exhibiting at this year’s fair. The 12-year-old student at Zion Lutheran School in Lincoln won the first prize blue ribbon for her colored pencil drawing. This was not Amanda’s first taste of victory in the art field. She stated, "I’ve had several first-place finishes, including a ‘Best of Show’ award when I was 6 for a watercolor drawing."

[Amanda Baker proudly displays her colored pencil artwork and blue ribbon.]

While floriculture, ceramics and art competitions took center stage on the midway, the livestock area was playing host to the 4-H Rabbit Show. Among the competitors was 10-year-old Kaleb Gordon of Lincoln. Kaleb garnered two first-place awards for New Zealand White rabbits. When asked to name his favorite part of the fair, Kaleb exclaimed, "I like everything, but mainly I just love rabbits!" He also said, "I’ll be back Saturday to show my dogs."

[Kaleb Gordon and his New Zealand White rabbit display their first-place trophy and awards.]

[Cassie Hewitt]

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