HOT PURSUIT

Every August has always proven to be hectic for me with fair season, and this year was no different.

Besides covering the Steele County Fair nearly every day, I also went to my home fair in McLeod County. This was bittersweet for me this year as it was the first year in 65 years that my dad was not a part of it. He died last fall, ending an incredible stint of a decades-long tradition with being involved with the hog show and other parts of the fair.

The sweet part of going to the McLeod fair involved my mother and me. We presented three scholarships to 4-H hog exhibitors in honor of my dad. One of them turned out to be connected to my family many years ago. The teenager’s grandfather used to purchase hogs from my dad.

Fair was in my dad’s blood since at least 1943. He showed lambs and finished first in showmanship class.

In 1957, he joined the fair board. He served as superintendent of the swine shows, and he ran the hog barn efficiently by making sure everything was on task. In later years, he judged showmanship in the dairy barn. When I was growing up, he served as president of the fair.

My dad’s understanding of judging and keeping the operations flowing smoothly made him one of the go-to people on the board. He always enjoyed working with other people to accomplish tasks that needed to get done so fairgoers could enjoy the fair experience.

Two years ago, my dad was honored for more than a half-century of service with the fair board—65 years to be exact. As part of the recognition, he rode atop a Budweiser beer wagon pulled by a team of Clydesdales in parade at the fair. He later described the experience as a joy of a lifetime, waving to fairgoers and sharing a beautiful day at the place that had become a second home every August.

At this year’s fair, my mom ran into a woman who shared how she knew my dad was so thrilled about the Budweiser ride and how she could she the excitement radiating from his face. It was extra special to hear people still talking about my dad.

If anyone has ever wondered where I get my enthusiasm and passion for the fair, now you know exactly. I love sharing the story of the fair through stories and photos. Steele’s fair is loaded with just as much tradition as what my father provided to the McLeod fair.

And I love to see how it keeps going on with future generations. This week I share the story of the Ditlevsons where Mark has been involved in the fair for 35 years and just this year brought on his 28-year-old son, Mick, to help in the Beer Garden (page 14B). There are so many remarkable stories like this with all facets of the fair both locally and elsewhere.

Tradition is deeply rooted at fairs with many families throughout the state. I’m blessed that my dad and mom have shared a part of that with me.

It’s fueled me to go in hot pursuit of showcasing our Steele fair in a way that no one else does.