Saloon finds new vibe for grain bin

Grain bins are typically known to store corn or soybeans, but this year’s Steele County Fair found a different vibe for the metal structure—one that has nothing to do with grain.

The Steele Saloon rolled out a grain bin bar on its new patio during last week’s fair. The bin has been donated by Stransky Farms and International Steel Erectors, both of Owatonna.

Reid Stransky, who operates Stransky Farms south of Owatonna, credits Doug Meier, director of the Saloon, for coming up with the idea. “He contacted me back in spring wanting a small portable bar outside the Saloon,” said Stransky, who has known Meier since high school.

Stransky contacted Jessy Bock, owner of International Steel which builds grain bins, to see if he had any grain bins sitting around. It just so happened that Bock had one that had once been used as a sales model for his business.

Bock and Stransky moved the grain bin to the fairgrounds on the Sunday prior to the fair. It was used throughout the fair to serve beer and seltzers. The grain bin bar will remain outside the Saloon to use throughout the year for other events.

Meier said the grain bin bar is a nice addition to the north end of the fairgrounds. “It fits with the theme of the area—farm area, 4-H, FFA and close to the animals,” he said.

Bock agrees.

“It fits in perfect,” he said. “It’s up in the area of Machinery Hill and it all fits together really well.”

The grain bin bar, Meier said, will lighten the load of the bar inside the Saloon, which at times becomes crazy during peak times. Acknowledging it was a mad rush to get it in place for this year’s fair, Meier promises it will be even better next year. He added it will also be used during the off-season for weddings and other events.

Stransky was somewhat surprised at the attention it drew at the fair. “I wasn’t expecting it to be as big of deal as it was,” he said. “The big thing is it was unique and gives people something to talk about.”

He calls the grain bin addition “fitting for a county fair,” especially playing to the rural roots of the fair.

The farmer is thrilled to be giving back to a community that he says has provided his family so much throughout the years with the schools, ag industry, 4-H and much more since his great-grandfather settled in the area in 1886. The farm is currently operating with the sixth generation.

“This is just another opportunity to give something back,” said Stransky, noting he is proud of the Owatonna community. “People of Owatonna want to get involved, donate time and volunteer to make it a better place.”

Stransky served on the Owatonna Forward Committee, which made a new high school a priority for the community. Another concept that arose from the committee was a local brewery. Mineral Springs Brewing came about out of those discussions. “It all helps make a stronger community,” he said.

He has found Owatonna is becoming a popular destination and credits the community for taking all the right steps.

He said the Steele County Fair is doing “a great job to keep it a vibrant fair.” He noted nothing compares to Steele County in Minnesota when it comes to fairs.

Pointing to the Whiskey Wall which features 100 donors of $1,000 each, Stransky is particularly impressed with the Saloon. “A lot of community members have supported the Saloon. It’s a great addition to Steele County,” he said.