GAYLORD — For many, the county fair is as much a summer tradition as baseball and a day at the beach.
The Otsego County Fair has a long history dating back to 1881.
“The front three buildings (on the fairgrounds at 895 N. Center Ave. in Gaylord) are historical buildings,” noted Waneta Cook. Her husband Tom is the president of fair board and their 11 children have participated in the annual event.
This year’s fair will start on Saturday, Aug. 17 and last one week. In the early days the fair was designed to showcase the county’s agricultural prowess. That is still the main theme but the addition of a carnival, rides and various entertainment have expanded the fair’s appeal.
Cook said the county fair is self supporting. Sponsors, which include businesses and individuals, along with admission fees to fair events, provides the finances to support the event.
“We don’t accept grants or any taxpayer funds,” added Cook.
Although there aren’t many full-time farmers in the county anymore, there are still enough motivated people to help keep the fair focused on agriculture.
“We are very proud that we have a lot of young people who come and participate every year. This becomes something that is an important part of their lives. We don’t have a lot of farming in the community but we do have families and their children who have animals. This is something Mom and Dad did and they want to see their children have that same responsibility,” Cook said.
“If you are involved with the fair as a young person that becomes a part of your life and you want that passed on to your children,” she added.
Young people work all year raising their chickens, feeder cattle, geese, goats, horses, lambs, pigs, rabbits, steers and turkeys to showcase them at the fair. They compete against one another and the fair is sort of like the Super Bowl for them, according to Cook.
Judges are brought in from out of town to evaluate the young people and their animals.
“They are usually downstate judges who have shown animals themselves. Some may have been on Michigan State’s livestock judging team,” Cook said.
There are two different classes: one is Grand Champion Showman in which the youngster is judged on their ability to care for and display an animal. The other class is Grand Champion Market and that is when the judges evaluate the animal.
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Competitors as young as five years old will show a rabbit or other small animal while older young people up to a senior in high school will raise livestock or a hog.
One of the fair’s more popular events is the selection of a queen and princess and first runners-up, which will occur on Saturday, Aug. 17.
“They will travel all over the state in the next year promoting our fair,” said Cook.
The cowboy church and kids camp is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 18, where children can learn what cowboys and cowgirls do including branding and roping. A full list of the fair’s events can be found at otsegocountyfair.com.
Jason Card is a member of the fair’s board and he said the event is meaningful for the community.
“It’s important to come and see what the younger generation has done with the animals. It’s impressive to see them work hard and really enjoy it,” he said.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.