From Exhibits, Animals, and Food booths to Night Shows, Blaine County Fair was one for the books

With Fair week over, time to get back to normal and Fair Manager Debbie Ramberg is glad. Relaxing in her office, Ramberg said things ran very well. "It was a huge success." Attendance was good thanks in part to the cooler weather and the entertainment available.

Ramberg said she had 27 vendors displaying their goods in the commercial building and on the midway. "A few dropped out, but that is to be expected," said Ramberg. Besides the free rides on the midway, patrons enjoyed the petting zoo, the caricature artist and a fan favorite, Pippi the Clown. "She always does a good job," said Ramberg.

The food booths were busy throughout the day, and very busy at night. Some even running out of food on the last day. "We ran out of pronto pups early Saturday night," said Lions President Jay Eslick. "It was a very busy day, and we appreciate the business."

Exhibits were up this year and both Bonnie Ortner, Open Class superintendent and Julie Snedigar, Blaine County Extension Agent, were pleased with the entries. "The kids worked very hard and it showed in their exhibits and showmanship.

"We had 4 schools display students work this year," said Ortner. She said that the number of exhibits was right at 450, up from 353 last year. Ortner also thanked Tomi Simenson of Shore's Floral for providing children with flowers and instruction in floral arranging. "As a result we had many more entries in that division than in years past," Ortner said.

The nighttime entertainment included the rodeo and the demolition derby making a return after a long hiatus.

Both nights of the rodeo were well attended. Attendance numbers were not available at press time, but rodeo organizer Dennis Kleinjan said the numbers were way up from last year. "The Grandstand was full," said Kleinjan. "Best rodeo we ever had."

Thursday and Friday night also included the mutton busting where the kids get to do a little rodeoing of their own. Kleinjan said it was a lot of fun and the kids enjoyed it. Thursday night featured amateur night where a dozen local ranch hands got to ride broncs for money. "We do it every year, something fun," Kleinjan added. He said they lose a few of the top contestants on Friday because of other local rodeos, so they added this event.

Stock was provided by J Bar J Rodeo Company a top contactor of the NFR. Sparky Dreesen has won several Remuda Awards which is given annually to the top bucking stock at the NFR.

The Small Town Beat Down Demolition Derby was a huge success with a standing room only crowd. This is the first Demolition Derby at the fair in a long while according to one of the organizers Winston Anderson. "We really didn't expect the turnout we had," Anderson said. He estimated well over 2000 attended the final night event. "We had 41 cars entered in 4 separate classes," said Anderson. With the unexpected turn out they are already making plans to make entry better for next year, increasing the number lines for entrance as well as other plans to make the derby more enjoyable.