Gearing Up At the O'Brien County Fair

July 16, 2014
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It’s the middle of July, and if you live in the state of Iowa, that means its County Fair time. County fairs all around the state are in full swing and showcasing the best of the best. If you know my family—our life pretty much revolves around the Fair. Throughout the year, my sisters and I would spend hours getting our 4-H projects ready for that long-anticipated week. Preparation would entail re-sewing the zipper for the twentieth time in my clothing project, attempting to lead a stubborn steer or dragging an unruly goat across our yard, and most likely, gluing the upholstery on a refinished chair the morning of project evaluation. No matter the chaos that the Fair brought about, my family soaked it all in.

This weekend, I am headed back home to Northwest Iowa to gear up for the O’Brien County Fair in Primghar, Iowa where the 4-H Building is packed full of unique projects, Pizza Ranch is the meal of choice for dinner, and the Figure 8 races can be heard for miles around. Despite living in Des Moines for the summer and working at the Iowa State Fair, I can’t seem to slip away and miss a day at the O’Brien County Fair. I try my best to still stay involved—I help coordinate the King & Queen Contest and the Bill Riley Talent Show—and keep in touch with those who grew up around the Fair like me.

It always amazes me how fast this time of year rolls around. We wait all year long for a week full of ribbons and fried food, and in the blink of an eye, it is gone! Before you know it, it will be time for the big one—the Iowa State Fair. We are busy at the Blue Ribbon Foundation putting together the final details for the “Amazingly Amusing” Iowa State Fair. Be sure to try the new Fair Berry Crunch Fair Square, check out the new merchandise items, and sneak a peek at the new improvements at the Cultural Center and Youth Inn.

There is going to be lots of amazing thing to see, and amusing things to do...we hope to see you there! 

-Paris