Demo Derby - There was standing room only at the Demo Derby on Saturday July 12th at the Cherokee County Fair. Photo by Ken Ross

Although the early part of the fair on Thursday and Friday (July 10-11) was a bit hot and humid, the weekend weather on Saturday and Sunday (July 12-13) was perfect for an outdoor event.

Carol White, a fair board member contacted at the fairgrounds on July 14th, said it was a great county fair.

Some of the highlights included a standing-room-only demolition derby, bull riding, a concert by Tom Wurth, the fair queen crowning, numerous 4-H events some involving farm animals and others involving more urban friendly projects, a pedal tractor pull, go-kart races, mud volleyball, an open cattle show that is new this year, a quilt auction and a carnival.

2008 Fair Queen - Jessica Alesch addressed the crowd after being crowned 2008 Cherokee County Fair Queen. Photo by Ken Ross [Click to enlarge]

There were 43 bull riders this year.

White noted that the fair has been without a carnival for a few years. There was only light attendance of the carnival on Thursday and Friday, but there was good participation on the weekend at the carnival.

There were not as many entries at the Demo Derby this year, but that had the advantage of resulting in the Demo Derby ending while there was still time to finish off the evening with a few rides or a meal on the Midway.

Good participation The junior division of the 4-H cattle feeding show had 14 entrants. [Click to enlarge]

Although there were a couple of food vendors who backed out, there was still a variety of food items available, including "fair food" - such items as cotton candy, funnel cakes and mini-donuts- not readily available except at fair time.

Blues Amusements' rides were featured on the Midway at the Cherokee County Fair this year. Photo by Dan Whitney [Click to enlarge]

Brenda Medick, youth and 4-H coordinator, said that there was excellent 4-H participation in events this year. There were many farm animals shown as well as other 4-H projects.

The 2008 Cherokee County Fair provided a wide range of entertainment for people from throughout the county and beyond.

4-H Swine Show Results

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Thursday, July 10

Grand Champion Market Barrow: Amber Neisius

Reserve Champion Market Barrow: Mitch Brady

Grand Champion Market Gilt: Amber Neisius

Grand Champion Market Individual Overall: Amber Neisius

Grand Champion Pen-of-Three: Mitch Brady

Reserve Champion Pen-of-Three: Alissa Brady

Reserve Champion Breeding Gilt: Audrey Winterhof

Grand Champion Senior Showmanship: Dalton Jones

Reserve Champion Senior Showmanship: Ben Hueser

Reserve Champion Junior Showmanship: Gracie Winterhof

4-H Carcass Contest - Live Placings:

5 - Amber Neisius

4-H Swine Carcass Show Results

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Results were determined by ultrasound anlaysis. Each exhibitor in the 4-H swine carcass contest receives a cash award presented by the Open Swine Show Committee and its sponsoring businesses and organizations.

4-H Rabbit Show

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Thursday, July 10

4-H Poultry Show

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Thursday, July 10

4-H Dairy Show

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Friday, July 11

Open Bucket/Bottle Calf Show

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Friday, July 11

Mitchell Brunsting

Raegen Brunsting

Becca Cowan

Drew Duccomun

Jaden Duccomun

Chase Fuhrman

Jacob Furhman

Carter Jacobson

Josie Kindwall

Coleton Pitts

Rylee Pitts

Kristian Stowater

Kyle Stowater

Brendon Sullivan

Cole Timmerman

Bretton Urban

Austin Wilkie

Jared Woltman

Sydney Woltman

4-H Horse Show

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Friday, July 11

Grand Champion 1st & 2nd Year Exhibitor

Reserve Champion 1st & 2nd Year Exhibitor

4-H Exotic Animal Show

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Friday, July 11

4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contests

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Friday, July 11

Cherokee County - Individuals:

District Contest - Teams:

District Contest -- Individuals:

4-H Pet Show

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Saturday, July 12

Fun Events:

4-H Dog Obedience Show

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Saturday, July 12

4-H Sheep Show

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Saturday, July 12

Grand Champion Commercial

Grand Champion Commercial

Rate-of-Gain

4-H Meat Goat Show

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Saturday, July 12

Grand Champion Market Meat Goat

Reserve Champion Market Meat Goat

4-H Beef Show

2008 Cherokee County Fair - Saturday, July 12

Breeding Beef:

Market Beef:

4-H Beef Show - 2008 Cherokee County Fair

Page 2

Market Beef

Rate-of-Gain: Placing Daily Rate of Gain

4-H Advanced Cattle Feeding

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Saturday, July 12

Reserve Champion Advanced Cattle

Advanced Cattle Feeding

Rate-of-Gain:

Placing Daily Rate of Gain

4-H Clothing Revue 2008 Cherokee County Fair Saturday, July 12

Advancing to State Fair:

Pride of Iowa Contest

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Saturday, July 12

4-H Communications

2008 Cherokee County Fair - Sunday, July 13

Educational Presentations:

Jill Bird & Alissa Brady -- "Butter vs. Margarine" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Nicole Springer -- "Measuring Up" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Renae Hinkeldey -- "Johnes Disease" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Beth Hanner -- "Energy Drinks" - Red

Working Exhibits:

Nicole Springer, "Pretty Treasures" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Jill Letsche & Sara Bird, "Shake Rattle & Roll" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Sara, Joe, & Mark Peters, "Gourdaments" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Jill Bird & Alissa Brady, "I Spy" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Ashley Brady & Casey Wurth, "Door Hangers" -- Lavender -- Advances to Clay

Clara Wulfsen & Shelby Rahn, "Creative Cards" -- Blue

Britta Stowater & Amber Melton, "Card Making" -- Blue

Share The Fun:

Renae Hinkeldey -- "Adagio & Allegro" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Sheridan Stars -- "Fun with Pavers" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Gracie Winterhof -- "Sea Voyage" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

David Peters -- "Juggling is Fun" -- Lavender -- Advances to Clay

4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contests

Friday, July 11

Cherokee County - Individuals:

District Contest - Teams:

District Contest -- Individuals:

4-H Pet Show

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Saturday, July 12

Fun Events:

4-H Dog Obedience Show

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Saturday, July 12

4-H Sheep Show

2008 Cherokee County Fair

Saturday, July 12

Grand Champion Commercial

Grand Champion Commercial

Rate-of-Gain

4-H Meat Goat Show

Saturday, July 12

Grand Champion Market Meat Goat

Reserve Champion Market Meat Goat

4-H Beef Show

2008 Cherokee County Fair - Saturday, July 12

Breeding Beef:

Market Beef:

Market Beef

Rate-of-Gain: Placing Daily Rate of Gain

4-H Advanced Cattle Feeding

Reserve Champion Advanced Cattle

Advanced Cattle Feeding

Rate-of-Gain:

Placing Daily Rate of Gain

4-H Clothing Revue 2008 Cherokee County Fair Saturday, July 12

Advancing to State Fair:

Pride of Iowa Contest

Saturday, July 12

4-H Communications

Sunday, July 13

Educational Presentations:

Jill Bird & Alissa Brady -- "Butter vs. Margarine" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Nicole Springer -- "Measuring Up" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Renae Hinkeldey -- "Johnes Disease" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Beth Hanner -- "Energy Drinks" - Red

Working Exhibits:

Nicole Springer, "Pretty Treasures" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Jill Letsche & Sara Bird, "Shake Rattle & Roll" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Sara, Joe, & Mark Peters, "Gourdaments" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Jill Bird & Alissa Brady, "I Spy" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Ashley Brady & Casey Wurth, "Door Hangers" -- Lavender -- Advances to Clay

Clara Wulfsen & Shelby Rahn, "Creative Cards" -- Blue

Britta Stowater & Amber Melton, "Card Making" -- Blue

Share The Fun:

Renae Hinkeldey -- "Adagio & Allegro" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Sheridan Stars -- "Fun with Pavers" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Gracie Winterhof -- "Sea Voyage" -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

David Peters -- "Juggling is Fun" -- Lavender -- Advances to Clay County Fair

Extemporaneous Speaking:

Alissa Brady -- Purple -- Advances to State Fair

Brenda and Tom - Brenda Parker took a moment Friday night after the Tom Wurth concert to get her picture taken with Tom. Photo by Vanessa Reusch. [Click to enlarge]

Marcus native Tom Wurth and his band were the headline entertainers at the 2008 Cherokee County Fair. Photo by Dan Whitney [Click to enlarge]

Renae Hinkeldey - Red