I miss the old days. Twenty years ago you could not park inside the gate some years for the Howard fair. Partly because of the carnival setting up in the road but mostly because everybody went. That definitely was not the case tonight.
I just spent the evening at the concession stand of the Howard Fair. One of two of the last bastions of stupidity on the face of the planet. While the overwhelming support shown by the community could fit in a shot glass the ones that were there were very quiet and showed no emotion. I watched the grass grow between the third and fourth row of the bleachers about 3 inches between hamburger orders. By the way TOOT'S watch out Tom Watts can scald a mean hot dog. I will refer to him as the grillmaster from now on. The fair food aside why don't we contact SKT to shut down the cable system for about three hours tomorrow. Shoot the satelite dishes off all the farm houses and cut the fiber comming in to town. Then may be someone will be bored enough to sit through the always riveting Fair Parade @10:30.. But don't wait there is more it is the only parade that you will see not once but twice. Up the street and then turnaround and come back down the same street with the same candy. There should be a law that you at least have to throw different stuff the second time. Now we could go back a third time but there isn't time as the turtle race starts at 11:45.
PEP:Note to self buy two kinds of candy.....
Back to the fair:
A RED ribbon? All the time. All the months of planning. All the effort. The hardship on the parents. The ability to balance the cell phone, text a message, and correctly aim the staple gun.
For what. A red ribbon.
Who had the idea for the two chairs? What did the tin foil represent? Was there anyone at the meeting?
I believe in the future of farming in a faith born not of words but of deeds achievements...
I wore the blue coat many moons ago. I was a state farmer. I think we can do more...you need some creative inspiration?
If you missed the fair don't worry it is still going on tomorrow. But if you can't make it to the dance you will truely be sorry.
If you are busy this week don't dispare because this week is just practice we will do it all again in two weeks. At Longton. But remember it is the Free fair. This year with the every popular 4-H. Head Heart Hands Health
Remember the ole' man will be coming by to get your 4-H livestock sale funds so save your lunch money. You could buy the grand champion steer! You might get a plate of cookies and a ribbon for your wall.
Who made the cool lady bug bird bath?
The Fry family has more talent in their little toes than I have stupid comments in my entire little brain.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Funnel Cakes???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rodeo was good.
Remember when there were fights at all the fair dances? 500 people came. Two paid to get in and 498 sat outside.
The ladybug birdbath was made by Marjean Jacobs! Did you get a gander at my box turtle?
It was alot of fun getting ready for the fairr, my firist to enter.
I think the beginning of the end came when Longton decided they had to have a fair,too!
Just what year did Longton begin having a fair? Before that time, was the 4-H Fair always held at Howard?
The Annual Elk County Grange Fair started No. 9-10, 1945 (which must be November 9, 1945) per the Elk County history book.
The name Elk County Grange Fair name did not last long and it soon became the Elk County Free Fair.
The biscuits and gravy breakfast at the western heritage (or what ever it is call now)extension office was awesome. Lindsey prepped the food at 1:30 this morning. Pep hours she should have called I could have helped roll out the dough.
Alright I have to give props to the fair parade. It was a good show.
I really like the way cool fire fighting equipment. Is this new? How long have we had the big red fire trucks?
Did anyone but me wonder how you get all those little Kiminska kids to stay in the wagons during the entire parade...I think the political floats were a hit.
The pool lifeguard dancers must be really confident in their sexuality. If we can't have bikini's at the car wash at the church, then I don't think we should allow guys to wear them either. That would be reverse gender discrimination.
Don't we have a marching band .... out at the high school....
Quote from: pepelect on July 18, 2008, 10:47:19 PM
Then may be someone will be bored enough to sit through the always riveting Fair Parade @10:30.. But don't wait there is more it is the only parade that you will see not once but twice. Up the street and then turnaround and come back down the same street with the same candy. There should be a law that you at least have to throw different stuff the second time.
The Howard Fair Parade is not the only one that goes around twice. The Longton Fair Parade does and the Grenola Octoberfest parade does. I don't know why. It has always been done that way as long as I can remember. I don't know why people aren't interested in the fair, either. I think some of it is because the county does have two fairs every year. Part of the reason has to be because of the fuel prices.
Why weren't more people buying food? Probably because they couldn't afford to after paying the fuel prices. Of course, that's only my opinion.
Severy's Labor Day parade always goes around twice and, like you said, always has. I think it's so it seems like it's a longer parade. Even at that it's usually over in less than 15 or 20 min.
We actually had fun at the parade this morning.............although it could seriously use a marching band, but the kids had a blast picking up all the candy.
We had a wonderful time at the turtle races. It was my daughters first time to race turtles and she won her heat and since today was her birthday, winning that just made her day.
BUT, I will say that splitting the fair up on two different dates at two different places, I think that was a huge mistake. I think that takes away from the people that would come. There's no real reason to go to the fair grounds. There's nothing to see. I was really sad when we walked in there and there was nothing there. No bunnies, no sheep, no chickens, no pigs. It was sad. :(
But all in all, we had a good time. We didn't get to go back tonight as my daugher had her birthday party tonight, but would have liked to have gone.
Back in the day the fair showcased the local ag, industry, and commerical ventures of the area. Now there isn't one commerical or local vender even. The open class animals were a joke. There wasn't the sense of community that used to be there. The entire area used to come to help clean up before, work during, and clean up afterwards. Now the same 3 people do all three.
Ok maybe the other 24 people that showed up to the fair today got the message. The grand stands weren't overflowing but decent. For an off year. For anyone who doesn't know the off year fair is the one that doesn't have the 4-H. Everyother year the fair switches. I vote that we don't have the off year fair. The same 3 people work the same amount of time for the 24 people that show up as if they were a full staff to help. The amount of effort that it takes away from productive activity is enormus. I even was sucked in to working the concession stand again. More people showed up tonight but I really think there has to be something to see to draw a crowd...
I don't think gas prices are going to detract from the fact that there has to be something to see to drive to see it.
Maybe I am wrong and just burnt out but someone else needs to step up and not just say well we had one last year so we need to keep having it. The facilities are needing so upgrading. We had a RV plugged in by the show barn and the DJ amp was blowing its breaker. The RV gave me an idea what if we rented the fairground out all year as a RV park... We would need to add more plugs, water taps, and dump stations. If we could become a destination we could get RV packs to come for their retreats and gatherings. They come in spend a weekend or week tour the area stay at the fair grounds and leave with a small feeling of small town life. I think with gas prices high more people are going to travel smaller distances. If we could get SG or JO county traffic they would bring in a small micro economy with them.
Patrick, you have an idea there. If you keep pushing, I think it would work. I notice that the Christian rodeo that is held down here each spring has a good turn out and that is camping out. From the sounds coming from it, the kids are having a good time.
PEP - I think the reason you were recruited to the concession stand was for the entertainment value. Because there wasn't much anywhere else. As a "come here", it is pretty baffling how and why two fairs exist. I understand there is a history here. But that just shows that there is too much looking over our shoulders and not enough looking to the future. Honestly, if this was a family with these type of "wounds", we would be in counseling. I would be interested to know (Mr Gray - can you help me out here?) what the population of Elk County was back in 1945. I am sure the population is less now. Probably much less. We continue to try and do the same w/ less people and less money. We are being divided and conquered. By whom? Ourselves.
The fair and rodeo wasn't a distinated for many people or cowboys. I was really disappointed with the rodeo itself. Not much action. I think it might have been better Saturday as their were to be more bull riders. Don't know about other cowboys.
I agree w/ no fair on alternate years. Until there is one centrally located fair that all people energy and resources can be poured into, Howard should only conduct their fair on years when 4-H is involved.
Previous post - destinated = destination.
Patrick, are you on the Economic Development Council for Elk County? If not, you need to be. You're one the few that I've heard come up with viable ideas.
If you split the loss in half from 1940 to 1950, Elk County Population in 1945 would be around 7,430.
Population of Elk County in 1940 was 8,180.
In 1950, 6,679.
A loss of 1,501 over the ten year period.
2000 - 3,261
2005 - 3,075
If one goes back to the late 1860s and early 1870s, people were falling all over each other to get into this area.
Below is for the first fair in this area held at Longton the first year and Howard City the second year.
The single number is the number of prizes that could be won in that class.
The dollar amount is the total dollar value awarded in that class
Howard County Fair, 1872, 1873,
Class 1--Draft Stallions 1 $ 2.00
Class 2--Roadsters 2 $ 6.00
Class 3--Mares 6 $ 11.00
Class 4--Matches 3 $ 8.00
Class 5--Saddle Horses 2 $ 3.00
Class 6--Draft Horses 1 $ 2.00
Class 7--Jacks And Mules 2 $ 4.00
Class 8--Short Horned Cattle 9 $ 22.00
Class 9--Graded Cattle 10 $ 18.00
Class 10--Oxen And Fat Cattle 4 $ 9.00
Class 11--Fine Wool Sheep 7 $ 16.00
Class 12--Swine 13 $ 23.00
Class 13--Poultry 6 $ 2.25
Class 14--Farm Products 5 $ 4.50
Class 15--Table Comforts 5 $ 5.50
Class 16--Fruits And Preserves 1 $ 2.00
Class 17--Jellies And Pickles 2 $ 3.00
Class 18--Vegetables 13 $ 7.00
Class 19--Floral 1 $ 1.00
Class 20--Fine Arts 11 $ 10.75
Class 21--Machinery And Farming Implements 18 Diploma
Class 22--Domestic Industry 9 $ 3.50
Class 23--Vehicles 5 Diploma
Class 24--Vehicles, Continued 6 $ 10.00
Class 25--Boots, Shoes, And Leather 4 $ 4.00
Class 26--Stores And Tin Ware 3 $ 2.00
Class 27--Domestic Manufacture 12 $ 9.50
Class 28--Minerals 1 ?
Class 29--Thoroughbred Horses 7 $ 19.00
Class 30--Racing 14 $118.00
Class 31--Riding 2 $ 15.00
Class 32--Plowing 1 $ 3.00
Class 33--Miscellaneous 7 $ 10.50
Source: Longton Weekly Ledger, September 23, 1873
I f Lionton was first then lets let them have it back...
I am going to build a wind based event west of town. I am using the Park City model and based on the fairs past I can have no doubt about its future.
Kite flying. Biplane fly overs. Vintage air show. First ever wind tower rodeo. Biplane pole bending will be the draw. Eight seconds...HA HA how about 8gs....
Hot air balloons. Helium ballons for the kids.. Tower repelling. Tower bungee jumping. Count the endangered bird carcasses for door prizes. Beetle bustin.
We have to have a full bar. One thing that last nights concession stand taught me, Molly hatchette's long lost warrior, the patrons buy more hambugers when the fire water is a flowin'. The entertainment will or course be Earth, Wind, and Fire or a tribute band. Are they still alive?
I will be installing wireless and cell towers because everyone under thirty can even wipe their *&% without having a phone stuck to the side of their head, blue toothless, or texting 90 to nothing.
It will of course still be walk-in hunting ground. No DUI but Teresa will have some target practice off the wind towers.
PEP RULZ WIND
Longton was probably selected first in 1872 because it was the largest town in the county at the time.
There were no fairgrounds.
Apparently, there was a decision to rotate it among towns.
In 1873, why they chose Howard City over Elk Falls or Peru, the county seat, would be a good question. There was nothing in Howard City at the time, not even a newspaper. By the time of the fair, the Howard City newspaper, the weekly "sickly" had moved to Boston.
When the fair was held in Howard City in 1873, interest dropped dramatically.
In 1874, and the years afterward there was no fair because of that interest drop and also because for a a few months in early 1874, for all practical purposes, the county did not exist.
sounds to me like Elk County needs to get unified. What other counties have TWO fairs? Elk County Fair should be ELK COUNTY FAIR, with no town name attached, and not alternated between towns. That way the Elk county fair grounds are the responsibility of ALL Elk county, not just Howard people. I think a lot of the work in Greenwood County is done by 4-H'ers throughout the county. Used to be, anyhow. There is an Elk County Fair Committee with officers. Is this just for the fair in Howard or the County? If it's for the entire county, then seems to me they could make a new rule - ONE FAIR FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.
Good ideas folks! Keep it up, you are really on to something. I especially like the tower repelling and bird bodies. You could have a volunteer fire fighters muster too. Bucket brigades, hose events, such as teams rolling barrels around, ladder events, etc. You all just need to reinvent yourselves.
And to settle the issue as to where it would be held, take it to the rodeo grounds at the north junction of 99 and 160. New buildings would have to be erected, but the rodeo arena is already there. A county fair does not have to be held at the county seat. The Sedgwick County Fair is at Cheney. The Kansas State Fair is at Hutchinson, not Topeka.
I think we have too many Howardites, Longtonians, Elk Fallsettes, Molineites and Grenolians and not enough Elk Countians.
Midway! Midway! Midway! Something for the young and old alike. Can remember when no one missed either fair.
I would vote in favor of one county fair and still encourage each of the towns to have its own festival. And I like the idea of having it outside Moline simply because it's more centrally located and easier to get into and out of and you don't have to drive through town. One fair means resources of people, money and work are pooled and efforts aren't duplicated. With one fair, perhaps there could be a midway with a few rides and games for the kids. It should include both 4-H and open class judging. And how about demonstrations, tractor pulls, contests (hay baling, fair queen and king, cutest baby, ugliest dog, maybe a talent show?) And I know this is a crazy thought, but charge a small admission to park and enter the fairgrounds. Maybe $1 or $2 to park and admission of $2 per adult and $1 per child. Those funds could be used for maintenance of buildings and grounds. Charge a small admission to concerts and shows so we can bring in some musical or comedy talent. What about a barn dance or square dance? None of these are original ideas, to be sure, but it's more likely to be a fair the way it used to be. Traditions such as county fairs shouldn't be allowed to die because of divisions between towns. The rate things are going now, with fewer people attending and participating, it will happen. Let's keep this slice of Americana alive for our children and grandchildren!
(wipes brow and steps down from soapbox)
(Takes a deep breath and steps back on the box)
PEP, you're onto something that should be explored and encouraged. Hubby and I have discussed for some time the possibility of Elk County hosting an "out of the box" type festival. Maybe not something as extreme as a Burning Man (I'm not sure if Elk County is ready for anything quite like that), but something that stands out and becomes an annual destination. If people will drive for miles to see decorated outhouses or farm equipment shows (such as the one mentioned in another thread), they might just come for something different here, too. Terrell and I especially like the idea of kinetic bicycle races and and a sailboat regatta. Polk Daniels Lake is a well kept secret and something that the area could use to its advantage. So.........
What if... along with a wind theme, we add fire and water? Host it during the spring burning (which I know is already being done in Greenwood or Chase county, not sure exactly... but there's no reason we can't do it here, too). We've got plenty of places for RV parking (another good suggestion by PEP...smart fellow!) Have one part of the fest feature wind activities....don't forget there's a local RC plane club...hot air balloons would be awesome.....
Another area of festival would be sailboats and and lawn concerts (bluegrass? jazz? Just no opera, please!) at PD Lake, and campers there as well.....it's a beautiful location and can be so much more than a fishing hole or place to spend a few hours on the 4th.
It would take mucho work and organization to get this off the ground and see if it floats (puns intentional!) But we could start small and see if it picks up speed.
And yes, we're willing to help ...
YES, YES, YES...GO, GO, GO! Such good ideas! The Cecil County Fair, just up the road in Maryland is on now. It's a medium sized fair with a nice midway and some shows. I just looked up their ad to see what the prices were and what is happening when.
Adults $5.00, Seniors $2.00, Kids 6-12, $2.00, Kids under 6 free
Fri. evening. Sneak preview, tickets discounted. Sat. Old Time Farm Weekend Sunday Rodeo Monday Daycare Day
Tues. Ag Day Wed. 4-H Appreciation Day Thurs. Seniors Day Friday, Livestock auction Sat. Demolition Derby Day
All the fire police in the area, ours included, direct traffic and help with parking cars. It's always well attended.
I am an avid fair, community concert, festival, home town day, air show, frog jumping, chili cook off, car show, BBQ challenge fool. I have very fond memories of the Elk County Fair in Howard From the late 60's to the mid 70s. I remember a very vibrant fair from those days. I know I am far away from Howard but I would like to help if possible. My Howard exists in a time warp from 30+ years ago. I love event planning and have produced and worked on more than 100 events over the last 25 years or so. I have done tournaments\events for health clubs of 800 to 3000 members. I have been 2nd or 3 rd in charge of Racquetball tournaments that have been on ESPN. I worked on a Gold Rush days for Valdez, AK (population 3400) which is about the size of Elk County. Unfortunately I have no current knowledge other than what I get from the forum on Elk County. I am not asking to be paid, it would give me a chance to exercise a muscle that I don't get to use anymore and help people for whom I feel a connection. Now I will ask some questions:
What was the best part of the fair this year.
Why did you not go to the fair this year.
What was the attendance of the fair.
Who were the sponsors.
I was looking for information on the fair and other than this forum and a small blurb in the archive of Rudy's paper I found no mention or web presence. Nothing on the ElK County Government site.
What I can say now with little information:
You need to cast a bigger net. The two counties in California that have fairs combine two or three counties.Though the smallest county(1500 people) in California has a huge nationally known festival called the Bear Valley Music Festival.If I am butting in I apologize this is just an area of interest that I have experience in and would enjoy helping my forum friends. Sorry for the long post. If I can help let me know.
David
p.s. If what the forum did on discussing the school issues is any indication I think the forum is just the place to solve the fair problem. Also, let me say that as someone who has no kids in any school, doesn't live in Kansas, but knows the importance of education to the future of the world- I was riveted to your school issues just as if I was living in Howard. You all should be very proud how you handled it.
Thanks for the resume. You will certainly be kept in mind, even maybe on the short list.
Thank you Wilma I would love to help my Elk County friends revive their county fair. I have so many fond memories of the Howard Fair. My last project increased the fair population from about 130,000 people to 142,000. Proof of what can be done. Just to brag a bit I would bet that the livestock and 4-H we had here in the big city of the San Francisco Bay Area is bigger compared to any in Kansas. You all think we are city boys, but we love our rural roots. I bet there are more Kansans in California than in Kansas. Hope you all solve your problem about the fair.
Just wanted to help.
David
I like the idea of the fair being out on the highway or somewhere sort of in the middle of all the towns. That would end the decision of what town to put it in.
I also like the idea of a barn dance. That would be really cool!
Also, my husband mentioned in Valley Center something they do that was a big hit is to show old movies outside by projection onto a sheet. The kids and families brought their own blankets and flopped wherever and watched an old movie. Something else for families to do that might draw them.
Why couldn't we do the movie thing every weekend? I'm sure that we could russell up some sheets. Longton used to do movies on the side of the grocery store on main street. Back in the Regan years when I could still chase blondes I went to one in a vehicle without a back seat even. It was as close to a drive in as you could get in Elk county.
I think that we could build up the local events to a larger scale by spending a little money on more regional advertising. There are people is surrounding areas that would come to events we have here but find out about them after the fact.
I think that the newspaper does a good of reporting the news but maybe we should advertise in it before the events happen. I don't mean a blurb on the coming next week is the fair. But a full page get some attention from the people kind of a thing.
One or two full page color ads in two or three editions and Rudy could at least buy some deck shoes or a life jacket for the wife.
Yes, yes, I like the way this conversation is going!
By the way, Patrick, I talked to your wife at the fair and she claims you are officially addicted to the forum.
Isn't there a pill for that malady?
Patrick, has any thought been given to a Ranch Rodeo and Chuck Wagon Cook-off. This type of Rodeo is very popular in West Texas and brings the locals and area people out. It is not as expensive as a regular rodeo as the participants in a Ranch rodeo are vying for the honor and bragging rights and not the money. If there is any interest in it, I could put the powers to be in touch with the people in West texas that put it on every year. The events are Wild Cow Milking, Branding, Penning,, etc.
Quote from: frawin on July 21, 2008, 08:50:33 AM
Patrick, has any thought been given to a Ranch Rodeo and Chuck Wagon Cook-off. This type of Rodeo is very popular in West Texas and brings the locals and area people out. It is not as expensive as a regular rodeo as the participants in a Ranch rodeo are vying for the honor and bragging rights and not the money. If there is any interest in it, I could put the powers to be in touch with the people in West texas that put it on every year. The events are Wild Cow Milking, Branding, Penning,, etc.
I'd come just for the wild cow milking! LOL Fun to watch someone else besides me get kicked once in awhile.
I think advertising in surrounding counties would be a good idea. Not sure the best way to reach people, maybe several different ways would be best. You'd probably draw more people from other counties, especially Greenwood and Butler I suspect.
I like the idea of the movie night. Maybe not every weekend, but once a month would be neat. Or just at the fair.
Someone mentioned about more open classes at the fair. A couple of years ago me and the kids did have rabbits in the open class, but we were the only ones. We didn't do it again after that. Just not much fun competing against ourselves. I think it would be nice to have more open classes though. Also, perhaps a dairy goat class? Now I haven't been to the livestock show last year, but the year before there were sheep, but no goats.
There was open class at the Howard Fair for animals. Just no one brought any. We usually, the kids and I, take things to the open class. I just haven't had time to make much. I wanted to take some of our chickens, but just didn't have the time. I don't think Longton has open class animals this year. At least that is what I was told. The Jr. Leaders are having a younger kids showmanship contest the same night as the Adult Round Robin. If you have questions about what they are having at Longton call the extention office, Lori or Richard will tell you. We are preparing for the 4-H fair this week. The oldest daughter has her sewing done, her buymanship is almost done, her woodworking is done, her foods are not going to be done till next week, her painting is done, and her sheep are pretty well done, I guess. This is why we didn't have time to enter things for this fair. Just to much going on. I tend to spread myself to thin, and no more of that!!!
Just received my Flint Hills Express for July 16.
An item mentions $250 in total prize money being awarded in the various categories for this year's fair.
If we go back to that first Howard County Fair at Longton in 1872 and the second at Howard City in 1873, both fairs had a total of $355 prize money awarded.
If one uses an inflation calculator, $355 in 1872 is equal to $8,727.47, today.
That is right. I have noticed for years the Chautauqua, Elk and Greenwood County Fair Boards do not give out near enough prize money. They would certainly get more entries if they paid out more. Nowadays, the gas money to take your entries to the fair and pick them up costs more than the prize money you might win.
I used to enter things in the Sedgewick county fair on a regular basis. I always just signed and returned my checks to the fair board. I entered for the fun anyway; they always had a nice little fair although it was getting pretty commercialized the last few times we attended.
I use to enter a Mare and Colt and other age group horses every year and it was just for the ribbon, fun and bragging rights.
Frank
Even if one does not take inflation into consideration, prizes in 2008 are almost one-third less than they were in 1872 and 1873.
PEP,
In reading about early advertising. Has anyone started talking about the Elk River Festival? I think it is a couple of months away, but if they would start now and contact venders and different entainment it might be better. It seems to me it also has declined since it was first started.
Maude
Great ideas folks! And great passion.
Good news. There should be a movie, this year, at the Elk County Fair (Longton). Elk Konnected is organizing and sponsoring this. I don't know the details yet, but my roommate is on the Action Team putting this together and it sounds like it is going to happen.
I would encourage all of you to get involved in real space and take your ideas and energy beyond cyberspace. Now, I know many of you are involved in local organizations. But we need more. Elk Konnected is working on many of the projects that are mentioned on the forum. We will be having a Community Forum in August. Come and find out what is happening and how you can get involved. Other organizations that are moving us all forward include the Howard Chamber of Commerce, the Elk County Community and Education Foundation, and there are others.
We need you. We need each other.
David
Ok, here is my two cents worth.
PEP, I remember when you and your brothers were active in the Elk County Fairs!!!!!!!
Point #1. County fairs were established as a celebration for bragging rights for the agricultural production in a county. It was a local thing.
Point #2. How many of your young people in the county are involved in agricultural endevors?
Point #3. I was at the fair on Saturday night and there was approx. 50 high school age kids there "socializing" about the time the dance started. We left at approx. 11 p.m. and followed most of the kids out of the fairgrounds. Other than the retired citizens of Elk County, which demographic group has the most disposible income to spend? The teenagers!!!!!! I'm not knocking the music, the problem is I'm middle aged now & that was my kind of music. If the fair board is going to use the dance as a money maker, they need to cater/market to the group that will come and pay to dance/socialize.
Point #4. I saw an advertisement in the spring for a ranch rodeo, was it held? If so, how many of the downtown businesses advertised to support it? Was it a sanctioned ranch rodeo so the participants could get points for a bigger show? How big of a crowd does the mud runs bring in? If you started renting out RV spaces at the fair grounds, what arrangements will need to be made for their "gray" water? Have you tried to stock the City Lake for future bass tournaments and court the small fishing clubs within a 3 hour travel limit? Think of the people with money to bring to Elk County, with the idea that most of the Wichita money with any interest is only for hunting or fishing.
Whoops, I think that was 5 cents worth.
Dad was Howard fair board president for ten thousand four hundred and eighty seven years. My brothers(both the lazy taco pusher and the old get out of work free one) and me have cleaned the entire barns after the 4-H fair more than enough times to consider is a very bad memory. I think we wore out 3 snapper lawn mowers and a couple of weed eaters. The paint on every board of the grand stands must have been white washed every year. We used to put the stupid 7 million pound antique oak glass topped cases above the stage right after we broke down all 16 booths, put out all the chairs and tables from under the stairs and sweept the floor three times before the dance while at the same time getting your steer ready for the sale. Learned how to make popcorn at three months. Never knew every one didn't know how to cook with a 30qt roaster.
We picked up enough beer bottles and cans Sunday morning to pay for the prize money ten fold... That was because the grounds were packed till dawn... The fights wouldn't start till after ten... They were usually started by some hot cowgirl putting a come here in her place. The boy friend would get knocked in the head by a brother or neighbor...... or a dreaded out of towner cowboy would show up to start some "cow pattie" TF Wiseman or one of the Juaire's usually put them in their place.
If the 4-H was at Howard first you didn't sell but took the animals home and did it all again at Longton.
Their dances weren't near as violent...
I HATE FAIRS................but I am not bitter.
The 4-Her's should be cleaning up the barns! We always did. After a show you would never have known we were ever there, except for the big manure and straw piles out back and that got taken away and spread. Some kids group should be picking up cans and bottles. Scouts, swim team? White washing, same thing, with supervision. Older teens surely can mow and weed whack. Older kids should be able to do the tables and chairs too. Glass topped cases? You better do that! Now we take you back to yesteryear....If it was done before, do it again. If not, start it. Go,Go,Go!
I do know that the Kids do go down and prepare the barns before the fair. At least we have the past 4 years, but it is really just cleaning out the barns and putting up panels and things. Nothing is really done inside the fair barns, that is that I know of. I do know that last year the Flinthill boosters did paint inside the fair barn in the bathrooms last year or the year before. I also know that Parker has clean out her bucket calf and steer pens in the past after the fair. You know, I am sure that the 4-Hers would help if asked. I was thinking to myself this year, that no one asked me to help at the concession stand like in the past. Oh, well. I think the big part is that people arent asked, or if they are they are busy. Don't know.
Sounds like all you really need then is to reopen some communication lines again. If a lot of people do a little, then rarely is anyone too busy to help do something. Ask 'em...which hour, or block of time, may I put you down for. Send thank you notes, especially to kids and first time helpers. Make them feel a part of things. Print helpers names in the paper. Make a fuss over them. Can you find some sponsors? I can get free cheeseburger coupons from our Mc Donald's whenever I need them to give to helpers for projects. Maybe Sonic?
Angie.. I think that the people are asked to come to the fair meetings.
I am guilty as charged for not helping. One year I jumped in with both feet and organized adults contests.
We had the kids stuff.. so I thought that to get the adults involved in the evenings we should have some old fashioned fun stuff.
We had the nail driving contest.. the egg throwing contest, the cowpatty throwing contest. the 3 legged race contest.( of which my sister and I laughed so hard we couldn't synchronize or steps came in last place) . We all had fun that year.. or so everyone said that they did..
I had several other ideas too.
I have had some ideas for entertainment etc.. thrown them to the "powers that be" which have fallen on deaf ears.
Sooo.... I don't go to the meetings. and that is my fault... because I am so very much into traditional stuff. I want my grand kids to enjoy the old fashioned fair time. I realize that Carnivals are going bankrupt and lets face it.. After having Worlds of Fun and 6 -Flags and Steal your Dollar.. errr I mean Silver Dollar City and all the rides that they have, a ferris wheel ride and the Bullet and Octopus ride isn't a big draw to the young people, like it was to us. BUt still, the agri/farm part is a huge draw and entertainments a draw, and ANYTHING to get the people to actively join in and have fun and laugh could be a draw.
I would work if ask, and I am sure lots of people would.. but to be fair, we shouldn't have to BE ASKED.. we should be more community minded and go to the meetings and let ourselves be heard.
And if they don't listen.. we just talk a little louder... ;D
Free Family Movie sponsored by Elk Konnected is Thursday, July 31st at 9:30 p.m. Movie yet to be announced. I hope all can come and support and enjoy the movie. Should be a fun time.
DW
Where is this at? Do we bring blankets, lawn chairs or can we back the truck up?
I'll bring bug spray...
How many white sheets do you need? :)
Teresa, how far away is your 6 flags and all? Will fuel costs be a consideration now? Maybe closer to home is better provided the rides don't cost too much to bring in. Bounce houses and dunking tanks are a big draw here. I'd pay to try to dunk Teresa or your school board! ;D
Mean! You are just plain ole' mean! :'(
The free movie is going to be at the Longton Fair Grounds on Thurs - Rumor has it that popcorn will be provided - still looking for a monkey to deliver the popcorn... details, details, details... One of the problems with the outdoors movies is the licensing fee - it is $150/movie/location.... does anyone know Oprah... the Elk Konnected Youth Development action team is organizing this and Ks Communities is sponsoring (paying) for the first movie - we are in need of other donors so we can hopefully do a movie in each town before summer and fall is over... Love all the ideas to improve the fair...
I will say that when I first got on the commission I was a "one county" fair - and therefore cut the budget that the fairs get from the County - now only the "4-H" fair gets $3000/year. Unfortunately my attempt at creating one fair was not successful... I also went and spoke at the Longton Fair meeting right after their barn burned and urged them at that time to consider moving to one fair - not successful. There is a lot of family feelings in that Longton fair - we have 2nd and 3rd generation keeping it going... I do think each of the town needs their "event" but we do need to modernize them and search and see what we can do to make them more enjoyable...
I too am guilty of not being involved in the fair assns... my hat is full right now. However, when Doug & I first got married we did help with the Longton Fair - and again sometimes the attitude is we don't want too much change...
A solution to the county fair problem in Elk County--and more.
In the old days, the state legislature had to create or destroy a county. There was no other way.
For instance, the Kansas legislature created Howard County and the Kansas legislature destroyed Howard County giving birth to Elk and Chautauqua.
However, now there is an entirely new ballgame.
The governor of Kansas signed Senate Bill 379 into law almost two years ago.
Five percent of the voters of any two or more counties may petition their commissioners for a vote to consolidate without the legislature becoming involved. Once the voters in each county approve via an election, they can merge creating a new legal county.
My suggestion is for the people of Chautauqua and Elk County to consolidate into a new county called Howard.
Naturally, Howard the town and Sedan get dumped, so to speak.
The new county seat location should be at the north 80 acres and the south 80 acres on either side immediately west of the intersection of road 13 and Valley Road. [On commercial maps it is shown as road 24 but the street sign says 13]
There they can build a huge new courthouse and a huge new fairground.
The new county seat would be called Boston.
There is already a cemetery there so all they would need to do would be expand it.
Naturally, the Elk County Fair and the Chautauqua County fair would both be terminated due to lack of a sponsor.
The next fair would be a huge effort and would take up where the 1873 fair at Howard City left off.
The $355 price money of that year would be adjusted for inflation and then some.
It would be called the 3rd Howard County Fair.
Longton could do what they want.
Citizens in Howard would rename their town, Howard City.
With the new taxes the citizens eagerly approve, water distribution and fair prize money would be no problem.
So Waldo, would you be willing to share whatever it is you've been having? :D :D
Combining counties is a radical idea, but I first heard this mentioned a few weeks ago by a Howard resident. He was saying the courthouse upkeep is a big expense to the county and one that will have to be addressed sooner or later.
Would it resolve all the town rivalries or create more? Who's to say...
I do know, after speaking with a Sedan resident, that the Chautauqua county fair this year was a fizzle with low attendance, and that they'll be having a 4-H fair soon, too. Again, it seems such a waste of resources to spread it around so thinly that no one gets any real benefit. It seems like a lot of duplication to me. Many hands make light work.
Teresa, I do like all the ideas you had for adult contests. I also like the idea of focusing on farming's roots...antique machinery and such, so those old-fashioned games add that sense of yesteryear.
Sixdogsmon,
As Judy Tenuta would say as she squeezed her accordion, "It could happen."
Shucks, Jenny would see a newspaper would be needed in the county seat and she would convince Rudy to consolidate the Flint Hills Express and Sedan Times-Star into the Howard County Messenger.
The move would catapult Rudy to Thomas E. Thompson fame.
Elk Falls, though, would be the only area in the new county that was not happy.
Why do we need a court house?
To hold court?
I am game - at one time, I thought the idea of a GW, WL, EK, CQ county combination - the total population would be about the same as Butler Co - but you would have a ton of roads...You could eliminate all the duplication in services with the C/H but your road infrasture cost probably wouldn't decrease and that is the large part of these small county budgets... 1.2 million this last year and probably going up next year.
Quote from: pepelect on July 22, 2008, 08:44:33 PM
Why do we need a court house?
You know Patrick....
Pay taxes, buy deer permits, get tags, register to vote, GO TO COURT......Tell time on the clock.......register deeds......ahhhhh
I don't know why we couldn't do that in a much smaller building with about 4 employees.......
OK, I get you now
Howard County surveyed with 2,677 miles of 66 foot wide section roads.
Many have been abandoned but there is a hunk left in both Elk And Chautauqua.
Does anyone know just how many miles Elk has?
When times were simpler and there was no gravel, the local farmers were hired to maintain apportioned stretches.
Grass and weed cutting was required only once a year.
Don't know how farmers graded but I would imagine they used their plow and harrow.
OK, I've been gone a week and it took me 2 hours to read this thread all the way through! (Of course, I was working, too...)
As a "come here", I've always been dismayed by the lack of COUNTY community efforts in regards to the fair. I've said it before, and I'll say it publicly... 2 fairs is DUMB and a waste of money. Just think about the local businesses; they probably feel like they have to help support both fairs and donate items and/or money to each fair. If there was only one fair, they could donate twice as much! The ribbon/award money would really increase! The attendance would increase! The activities would increase!
I can say that I went to the 4-H fair in Howard last year for the first time, and I was sorely disappointed. Not by the 4-H kids' projects, by any means, but by the amount of people and support that was there. And by the facilities. No one took pride in the fair. To be honest with you, if there was one fair with more events and activities, I'd drive clear across the county to attend. It wouldn't matter where it was if it was good. We used to drive to the dreaded "Oberlin" (our biggest school rival) from Atwood just to attend their awesome Decatur County Fair and HOME OWNED AND OPERATED Carnival. No kidding; all the rides are owned and operated by the people in that county. They make enough money each year to get a new ride or activity to add to the carnival, making it bigger and better each year. No scary "carnies" to run the rides, either. You could let the kids run wild with their alloted amount of tickets and they'd find you when they ran out.
So, who are the fair board members? Are they elected? Where does the money go from each of the fairs? I don't remember a scholarship fund, but I could be wrong. Is the fair simply a "for profit" event for the members of the board? Who has the power to make the boards combine? Do the fair boards own the land and buildings at each of the fair grounds (I think the Howard Fair board owns the land at Moline rodeo facility)?
I believe that 4-H is an important part of the county fair; that's half the reason to go! My dad would spend most of his time at the Decatur county fair just looking at the livestock (and comparing ours to theirs). The Lions club sold cotton candy and popcorn. The Livestock Association sold hamburgers and sausage burgers (and sold out if you didn't get there early). There were multiple buildings that had different things to look at (and they doubled to house the carnival rides during the rest of the year). Eventually, they even got some great concerts! I got my picture taken with Toby Keith (during his first stint in country music)!
BTW, PEP... some kids at our 4-H fair would even receive a WHITE ribbon if the project wasn't good enough. But our project judging also included an interview process; the kids had to meet with the judge and review their projects and the judge would explain what they did right and what they could improve on the next year.
Having one fair in Elk County would make it much better to promote. As a newspaper, we have trouble getting every merchant lined up to sponsor our fair edition(s), then we must wait until both fairs are completed before we can print all the results. That delay creates a loss of oomph.
I'm not in on the inner workings of the fair, but anytime I have asked questions, I've been told there are strong feelings both ways. Obviously, the folks in Longton want their fair to continue --- it's the oldest in the area. And, nobody would suggest that we do away with the Howard fair. But I would think that a true rotation would work better than the way they're now scheduled.
We're facing the same situation over in Sedan. Their fair has been split and it has really impacted the event in a negative way. But you'd be surprised how many people think it's just great --- as long as a dirty carnival is found right in the middle of it.
I say give up the Howard fair and spend all the energy on the River Festival. If Longton wants to have a fair great....
The same people work every event every time.
Why not market to a larger crowd not just because we have always done it. I want people to see ELK county not how it used to be but how it is now. I think fairs have served there time very well but as times change the events we hold should change.
I would love to see a combined fair/festival to have the downtown events with the fair events showcasing the actual agricultural life we live. The rest of the country has no idea what our area is like until we show it to them. We market livestock differently than we did even 20 years ago. The farming game is more high tech now than we could have ever imagined. This life is still very much envied across the nation just not on TV. We need to pull more of our youth out of the house and in to the real life.
Wonderful idea, PEP
We had friends from Russell KS and another couple from Aransas Pass, TX call us a week or so ago and wanted to come see where we are, during the summer. We were delighted of course, and the next day I called them back and suggested they get off 400 and come 99 through OUR part of Kansas. They had never been in this part of the state before and were amazed and delighted with the rivers, creeks, timber, crops and trees -- just the over all beauty of our Elk county.
Fred and I took all the credit for all the beauty that they enjoyed ( no, just kidding) but we were so happy they got to see and enjoy it. Kansas has beauty that other states do not have, especially in the east and south eastern part.
Tobina - you may have a good idea (or two...) Has anyone been to the Kiddie Park in Bartlesville... don't know all the particular but it is a permanent kiddie park with little people rides ran by teenagers in the summer time... all the rides are like $.25... (I believe it was left to the city and is probably funded with public funds or the estate). We have a lot of talented people around here... how about it - any of you welders want to turn out a ferris wheel...we can turn the fair grounds into a mini amusement park...
How about an animated Hubbels Rubble? ;D ;D