Syracuse Family Has 50-Year Fair Tradition

Showing cattle at the Kosciusko County Fair is a family tradition for one Syracuse family, which exhibited at the fair every year for almost 50 years.

Bernard and Avelda Roberts' family, beginning with son Ron in 1950, hasn't missed a year of exhibiting in 47 years. And except for last year, when Avelda had hip replacement surgery, she and Bernard haven't missed a fair.

Not only were their three sons - Ron, Jon and Earl - in 4-H, but their grandchildren - five grandsons and a granddaughter - are as well.

The Robertses credit 4-H with helping their kids "stay out of trouble."

"We would advise any parents to get their kids in 4-H," said Avelda.

Besides beef cattle, their sons did 4-H projects, such as grain crops, electricity, entomology, gardening and soil conservation, as well as showing sheep and rabbits.

Bernard, 84, said the biggest benefit of his kids' 4-H participation was "communicating with other groups, joining with other groups, like Junior Leaders." All three sons won college scholarships from 4-H.

Ron started the tradition in 1950 when he and Bernard brought their first black Angus calf, Midnight, in a two-wheeled trailer behind a 1947 Ford, he said. Ron, who now lives in Florida, also is the son known for having a calf that actually went to sleep in the show ring.

Grandsons Matthew, 14, and Mark, 12, are carrying on the tradition of showing beef cattle. Matthew has been involved in 4-H for six years, and Mark has been showing for four. Their father, Jon, like his brothers, was in 4-H for 12 years.

Bernard and Avelda, who will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary March 26 and who still hold hands when they walk together, live on the same 80-acre farm south of Syracuse where they raised their kids.