Fair honors long-time helpers

Cathy Torrey did not grow up in Owatonna, but that hasn’t kept her from developing a love for the Steele County Free Fair. So much that she has dedicated the past 45 years to being a volunteer.

On Sunday, Torrey was honored with a 45-year service award as part of an appreciation dinner put on by the fair board. She was one of 20 volunteers who received various service awards totaling 395 years of service.

Holding the clock plaque she received, Torrey said, “It reminds me that the time is passing.”

While Torrey said it’s nice to be recognized by the fair, it’s not something she expects as part of volunteering.

After moving to Owatonna in 1975, she has become a regular at the fair ever since. In 1980, she became involved as a volunteer at the urging of a friend who was a superintendent of the culinary division. Torrey jumped on board with her friend for several years before moving to hobbies. Seven years ago, she made the move to textiles where she serves as superintendent.

She acknowledged the years have gone by fast.

Most of Torrey’s work with the fair takes place before and after the fair. In fact, she was wrapping up her pre-fair duties Sunday night, though she made time to attend the dinner honoring her as this year’s longest serving volunteer.

Unlike earlier years, the textiles exhibits do not require supervision during the fair because they are under locked cases.

Torrey’s enjoyment of volunteering comes from seeing what people find to exhibit. This year she took pleasure in watching an 8-year-old girl bring a skirt to the fair. “I love to see new exhibitors,” she said.

“I love watching what people make and how proud they are of their creations whether they win or not,” said Torrey. “We know there is a lot of talent. People are so proud of what they do,” she added.

For Torrey, the fair means one thing: community. “It’s nice to have an event that everyone is welcomed to attend. It’s a reunion time for a lot of people, and it’s fun to see kids get excited,” she said.

Dan Deml, who serves as the fair’s president, said volunteers like Torrey are the backbone of the fair. “All the volunteers—that’s what runs the fair,” he said. “You just have to appreciate them all the more to stay around for 45 years (like Torrey).”

The pool of volunteers that Steele County enjoys, Deml said, is extensive and something not seen at many other fairs. “The volunteerism is over the top here,” he said. “They take ownership of the fair. It’s not just the Steele County Free Fair. It’s their fair,” he added.

Deml said the appreciation dinner is just  one way the fair tries to make all volunteers “appreciated and wanted.”

Steele County Fair Service Awards

5 years    

Beckett Seykora- Grounds Crew

10 years 

Jerome Spindler- Banners/Distribution/Great Outdoors Center

Joleen Koenig- 4-H

Danielle Klinkner- Draft Horse

Dr. Anna Wildgrube- Fair Vet

Zach VonRuden and Ben Jensen- Youth Livestock Judging

Jim Abbe- Board

15 years 

John Ihlenfeld- Wenger Stage

Barb Wiese- Information Station

Wade Nelson- Sheep

20 years 

Roland Truelson- Parliamentarian

Gene Fisher- Board

25 years 

Chad Staska- Four Seasons Centre

30 years 

Pat McCarthy- Equine Hall of Fame

Bruce Busho- Board

35 years 

Cathy Balzer- Textiles

Jeff Koplen- Electrician

Todd Hale- “Voice of the Fair”

45 years