Leader Photo by Lee Pulaski Cassie Ross, of Shawano, walks along the midway with a funnel cake in hand. There are plenty of food options for fair-goers from both outside vendors and local organizations.
Leader Photo by Lee Pulaski Alyssa Strassburg, a member of Bowler FFA, mixes feed for her pigs in the swine barn Wednesday afternoon.
First fair 5K garners interest
So far, 60 people have signed up for the Choose to Move 5K, which will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday near the Mountain Bay Trail. The inaugural event had set a goal of 75 participants, according to Rhonda Strebel, executive director of the Rural Health Initiative.
“We were going to be thrilled with 75,” Strebel said. “We have kind of a unique breakdown.”
So far, no one over 60 has signed up, according to Strebel, but there are nine participants in the 50-59 age bracket. Also, Strebel reported there are 22 children ages 12 and younger participating.
Participants can still sign up at RHI’s booth in the commercial building. The cost is $25 for adults, $10 for children ages 7-17, and nothing for ages 6 and younger. RHI and the Shawano County Agricultural Society are sponsoring the event.
Opening day goes smoothly
The opening day of the Shawano County Fair on Wednesday went off without a hitch, according to fair spokesman Brad Luepke.
Muggy weather in the morning gave way to storm clouds in the northern skies in the afternoon. Opening ceremonies could have been postponed or cancelled if rain had hit Shawano, Luepke said, but the storms stayed away. Over 90 percent of the fair was already set up when the storm clouds formed, he added.
“This day could have went a total 180,” Luepke said.
Bingo volunteers needed
The fair is looking for volunteers to help with the cosmic bingo games taking place from 9-11 p.m. Thursday through Sunday near Presidents Park.
Anyone wanting to help can visit the fair office in person or call 715-526-7069.
Scavenger hunt returns
For a second year, the Shawano County Fair is holding a scavenger hunt.
A number of stuffed animals will be left around the fairgrounds each morning. Fair officials will leave clues on the fair’s Facebook page.
The folks who find the animals can bring them into the fair office and win free tickets or food.
Seniors get fair deal on Friday
Friday is senior citizen day at the fair.
Anyone ages 62 and over who comes to the fair between noon and 5 p.m. will be admitted for $2. Parking will be $5.
For the seniors who love bingo, there will be one session at 12:30 p.m. and a second at 5 p.m.
BY THE NUMBERS
64
Number of cream puffs sold by Wolf River Harmony as of 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
30
Number of outside vendors at the Shawano County Fair
55
Number of booths in the commercial fair building