‘Racing on into the Guthrie County Fair’

 

Learn about new and improved features this year.

 

By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times

The theme of the 2024 Guthrie County Fair is “Racing on into the Guthrie County Fair.” That theme seems appropriate for two reasons. Various types of racing have been popular events at the fair over the years, and the fair has traditionally been well attended by folks from throughout Guthrie County and beyond. In fact, historical reports describe traffic jams of horses, buggies and wagons as people raced to get in on the fun of the Guthrie County Fair. 

 

History

The Guthrie County Fair is one of the oldest in the state. In 1858, the first fair was held in Guthrie Center and was successful enough that a small tract of land was purchased just west of the river as a site for future fairs. Over the coming decades, more land was gradually added, and buildings were constructed and enlarged.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the fair often included various racing events. Horse and mule races, car races, and human running races were commonly seen.

When the Great Depression hit, attendance dwindled, so organizers had to come up with creative ways to attract more people to the fair. One example was in 1933 when organizers offered a free wedding (including the pastor and wedding license) for any couple who would agree to be married at the fair. Two couples accepted, and a double wedding was held. The identity of the marrying couples was kept secret until the ceremony to heighten the excitement.

Unfortunately, the fair has had its share of setbacks as well. Due to the low-lying location, heavy rains occasionally submerged parts of the fairgrounds during the fair, but organizers and attendees generally slogged through the challenges. In February of 1948, a fire at the fairgrounds destroyed the 4-H barn and scale house. The cause was determined to be an overheated stove. Luckily, the fire was contained so no other buildings were lost. A replacement building was constructed in time for the fair that September.

 

Old and new

According to Collin Clark, Guthrie County Fair Board president, the 2024 fair will be a blend of the familiar and the new. The Guthrie County Fair Queen coronation is a highlight of the fair. Riley Gibson, daughter of Jim and Karwyn Gibson, is the reigning queen and will pass her crown on to the new queen on Sunday at 6 p.m.

The parade is another longstanding tradition of the Guthrie County Fair. This year’s parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31. There is no sign-up; those wishing to be in the parade are simply asked to line up beginning at 9 a.m. along School Street (between Highway 25 and the high school). The parade route will go north on Highway 25, then turn west onto State Street to go through the business district. Questions can be directed to Cathy Sheeder, parade coordinator, at 641-757-8226. 

Clark described some of the other features of the fair that will be much the same as in previous years.

“We’ll have a rodeo again with mutton busting. That’s kind of a staple with our fair, and the carnival is coming back. It’s Scott’s Amusements, and we’re keeping the rides still free,” Clark said.

Longtime residents of Guthrie County will recognize a familiar face, according to Clark.

“Toby the Kid is coming and will be walking around the grounds a couple of days,” Clark said. 

Toby has clowned around at area events for many years, bringing his magic and comedy to kids of all ages.

One familiar and unique feature of the Guthrie County Fair is the fact that a large campground is adjacent to the fairgrounds, and the camping option has been a longtime and popular option for those attending the fair.

“We have 83 acres there and 280-some camping spots. It’s always full, and there’s a waiting list,” Clark said.

Camping has been so popular that reservations are taken during the fair every year for the next year’s fair. The camping fee is $210, which includes two season passes for the fair. Tent area camping costs $50. Check-in for all camping spots opens at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, and check-out is Monday, Sept. 2. More camping information and guidelines are available on the fair’s website.

According to Clark, the headliner of “new and improved” features at this year’s fair centers around a new building.

“The showring is going to be our big new thing this year. It’s been a lot of work. 4H had their own food stand before. Now they’re going to be inside the new showring. That way, we’ll have an eating area in the showring, and there will be a picnic area in there so they can serve out of both windows,” Clark said. “The extension office will be in the showring as well. It’ll have air conditioning, which is nice. We added that last minute.”

Over the years, the Guthrie County Fair has occasionally seen flooding of the grounds, due to the fact the fairgrounds are in a low area near the river.  But the fair board has taken steps to help alleviate that potential problem. Clark explained that several members of the board helped put in new tiling while the new showring was being built. 

Clark mentioned several other changes to this year’s fair.

“Wayne Francis is coming to the Little Amphitheater. He’s a ventriloquist, which we’ve never had before,” Clark said. “There’s also going to be a juggling and aerial show. That will be new.”

Clark also pointed out a change regarding grandstand entertainment.

“We did change Sunday. Rather than having another motorsport event, we decided to bring in a band,” he said. “And before that, we’re going to have nag races. Essentially, it’s a golf cart, and one person is blindfolded, and the other is telling them where to go.”

The band for Sunday night will be Tyler Richton and the High Bank Boys. Following the band will be fireworks.

Asked about a “best kept secret” at the fair, Clark mentioned the Little Amphitheater. 

“There’s always something there,” Clark said. 

This year’s entertainment at the Little Amphitheater includes the Fair Queen coronation, Bill Riley Talent Show, musical acts, the juggling and aerial show, and the kids pedal pull.

 

Schedule

Below is a partial listing of events scheduled at this year’s fair. For a complete listing and more details, visit www.guthriecountyfair.com.

Wednesday, Aug. 28

• 4-7 p.m., Exhibit check-in
• 5 p.m., 4H/FFA Dog show

Thursday, Aug. 29

• Livestock check-ins (see website for details)
• 7 p.m., Bill Riley Talent Show

Friday, Aug. 30

• 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., 4H Food Stand
• 7 a.m., Cribbage tournament at Events Center
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Antique tractor display
• 1-10 p.m., Free carnival rides
• 3 p.m. to close, American Legion Bingo
• 6 p.m., Grandstand: Mutton busting, followed by the rodeo at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 31

• 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., 4H Food Stand
• 7:30 a.m., Register for 5K walk/run
• 8 a.m., 5K walk/run
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Antique tractor display
• Noon to close, American Legion Bingo
• Noon to 10 p.m., Free carnival rides
• 1:30 p.m., Kids pedal pull
• 4 and 6 p.m., Wayne Francis, ventriloquist
• 7 p.m., Grandstand: Figure 8 races (registration is 4-6:15 p.m.)

Sunday, Sept. 1

• 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., 4H Food Stand
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Antique tractor display
• Noon to close, American Legion Bingo
• Noon to 10 p.m., Free carnival rides
• 6 p.m., Announcement of 2025 Guthrie County Fair Queen
• Grandstand: Nag races at 5:30 p.m. (sign up at 5 p.m.) 
• 8-11 p.m. Tyler Richton and the High Bank Boys concert
• Fireworks after the concert

Monday, Sept. 2

• 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., 4H Food Stand
• 9 a.m., Tractor ride
• 9:30 a.m., 4H/FFA Parade of Champions
• 3 p.m., Clean up the fairgrounds

 

A single day admission to the fair costs $15, or a “season pass” (for admission any/every day of the fair) is $35. Children younger than 5 are admitted free. As always, grandstand events and carnival rides are free. 

An event such as the Guthrie County Fair can only succeed if many people pull together to make it happen. Besides Fair President Collin Clark, other members of the Fair Board include Scott McClellan, Emma Vogl, Michelle Halbur, John Knobbe, Troy Schwartz, Sage Bailey, Mike Irlbeck, Mike Kenyon, Tyler Carney, Roger Richter, Bryce Arganbright, Preston Drake, Nathan Olesen, Greg Rochholz, Wes Clark, Travis Clark, Matt Harmann, Spencer Sloss, Spenser Jorgenson, Jeremy Wolfe, Kirk Rochholz and Derek Betts. 

Guthrie County Fair Foundation Board members include CW Thomas, John Knobbe, Jerri Hawkins, Roy Sargent, Paul Clark, Scott McClellan, Jim Laughery, Penny Wetzel and Dale Behrends.

Collin Clark also pointed out the strong support of the community.

“There are roughly 155 local sponsors for our fair, businesses and individuals, and we are absolutely thankful for the sponsorships we get and the community that’s behind us,” he said. “We also have fundraisers. It’s amazing, and we appreciate it.”

A report in the Aug. 15, 1889, edition of The Guthrian newspaper rings true today, just as it did when written 135 years ago: “This county is noted for the excellence of its county fairs. These gatherings bring out people in real numbers to view the annual exhibitions… Let us all do our part to make the coming county fair grandly worthy of grand old Guthrie County.”