Many come to the Kosciusko County Fair for the food, games and rides.
But the lifeblood of the county fair lies outside the Midway.
It’s in the barns and exhibits that not only entertain but aim to educate.
Kassi Rowland is spending fair week with her family in the beef barn.
Rowland works for her family farm, Tom Farms.
For Rowland, 4-H is about many things.
It’s helped teach her daughter, Reagan, 10, things like responsibility, hard work and respect.
“I really like showing the cattle,” said Reagan.
There is a lesson that Reagan has learned and is one Kassi is eager to teach anyone who comes through the barn.
That’s the importance of agriculture. That the food that ends up in grocery stores and on dinner tables comes from family farms.
“We are very focused on education,” said Kassi. “That’s something we really enjoy doing. Getting the chance to talk to people and show them where their food is coming from.”
Kassi also was eager to show the care for which her animals are given.
Before last week’s heat wave broke, Kassi said those in the barns were doing everything they could to keep the animals comfortable.
“When we were here Saturday it was brutal,” said Kassi.
The heat has since dropped about 15 to 20 degrees during the day. But still, fans blow cool air all day to keep the animals comfortable.
On the other side of the fairgrounds, the Echoes of the Past tractor club is putting on shows all week.
Using an old saw mill powered by a 1917 Case steam engine, spectators can see a demonstration that recreates what life was like years ago.
The steam engine is owned by Lyle Harman, Etna Green, and ran by his two sons, David and Dan Harman.
David said they’ve been doing these sorts of demonstrations for about six years.
That same steam engine was in Warsaw’s centennial celebration back in 1954.
Adam Heckaman is the current president of the Echoes club.
He said it takes a lot of groups coming together to put on the demonstrations they are doing this week.
They get the saw mill from a Fulton County club, so depending on when Fulton County has its fair, having it in Warsaw isn’t always a guarantee.
“I think this is real important for the younger generations to see this, to see how their grandfathers or great-grandfathers did things,” said Heckaman. “It helps keep the heritage alive.”
Tom Groninger and Miles Nellans sat and enjoyed the demonstration Monday night.
Groninger is the past president of Echoes while Nellans is a current member.
They both agreed that such demonstrations were not only fun and interesting but important.
“It shows you how many men it took and how much work it took to do a simple job back then,” said Groninger.
Nellans said there are so many things to marvel at, including a 1920s orchard sprayer.
The group is looking to build on to its mercantile building and include a thrashing machine that thrashes grain.
The saw mill will be run Wednesday and Friday until 8 p.m.
The club will be conducting tractor games for children this week as well.
The demonstrations and games are free for all who attend.
Today is 4-H Leader Appreciation Day, Kiddies Day and Kosciusko REMC Day.
Anyone who presents their Touchstone Energy Card at the gate will receive $1 off.
Wednesday is Community Day, Senior Day and sponsored by Symmetry Medical.
Seniors 65 and older will get $1 off at the gate.
The following are some highlights of Wednesday’s schedule: 8 a.m. – Free senior breakfast, event center 8 a.m. – Free blood pressure checks begin, event center 10 a.m. – Bingo and euchre, event center 10 a.m. – Open Class exhibits open, magazine exchange, HFA building 11 a.m. – Senior day entertainment, event center Noon – 4-H exhibits open 1 p.m. – Gates open 1 p.m. – Demonstration, HFA building 1 p.m. – Commercial tent opens 3 p.m. – Carnival rides open 4:30 p.m. – Zebrini Family Circus, midway 8 p.m. – Theory Of A Deadman, gates open at 7 p.m., grandstand.
Follow staff writer Daniel Riordan on Twitter at @TUNews_Riordan
