Lots of local winners at Rapid City Ag Society Fair
- Details
- Published on Sunday, July 3, 2016
By Sheila Runions
Banner Staff
Rapid City Ag Society, and its many partners, hosted its 136th annual fair on Saturday, June 25. Rapid City Nursery School planned to kick off the day at the fairgrounds by offering a breakfast but when they arrived to discover the overnight wind storm blew down the tents, plans quickly changed. The meal was served at Rapid City Legion and nearly 200 people feasted on the food. Brittney Bootsman won the 50/50 draw worth $129.
Several people commented the parade, the fair’s next activity, was “really good” and “bigger than usual.” Rapid City Chamber of Commerce secured judges who deemed Rapid City 4-H Beef Club as first-place winners, then Rapid City Nursery School/Rapid City Library as second and Rapid City Musem as third. These groups enjoy bragging rights as well as $25, $20 and $15 respectively. Once the parade completed its round-trip route so people could see each side of the float, most parade participants or spectators travelled slightly north to the fairgrounds to see some exhibits or eat even more food; Rapid City United Church manned the luncheon canteen.
During the official opening at 1:20 p.m., Kirk Bridgeman asked everyone to remove their hats in a show of respect for members Myrna Bayes and Ivan Hearn. Myrna would have served as secretary at her 22nd fair that day but she very suddenly and unexpectedly died three weeks prior. Ivan was a long-time horse director who had been sick for several years; he passed away last month.
The exhibit building had a lovely selection of flowers; obtaining the most points in horticulture was Bernice Finlay. Bernice reports baking entries were “way down” but high points were still awarded, to Janet Fearnley. Gladys Simpson had the most points in senior categories while Marcy Forbes of Bassano, Alta. claimed high points in sewing/handicraft. Margaret Sangster of Kenton won the Red River Ex Best of Show ribbon so she may now enter her quilt in that competition if she so chooses.
There is no cattle competition at Rapid City, save for the 4-H show; results from that will be supplied by the club at a later date. Drew Horner received the best beef animal on the grounds award from the ag society. Horses were plentiful! The champion pony was Pepper, owned by Madison Robins; champion miniature horse was Bruce, owned by Susan Wright; champion light horse was KJ Chip Sho, owned by Marsha Dudar of Ethelbert.
Rapid City Parent Group was thrilled that for the third consecutive year, they sold all 200 ducks for their late afternoon fundraiser; winning $50 in that race was Kathy Kenler.
To conclude the day, Rapid City Rink Board served a pork loin supper. Other fair activities included a kids carnival, mutt show, decorated bicycle contest, tractor display, tours of a fire safety trailer, gift basket draws, prizes from Rapid City Emergency Services and a dirt dig (people who found poker chips in the dirt redeemed them for prizes).
