Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Scott Williams Dressed in a blue evening gown, Kelly Holewinski prepares her cow for competition Saturday night in the Shawano County Futurity event at the Shawano County Fair.
Leader Photo by Scott Williams Kayla Nischke, dressed as a 1970s-era hippie, shows off her cow during the Shawano County Futurity event Saturday night at the Shawano County Fair.
This is the event that proves Shawano County Fair competitors are more than just blue jeans and work boots.
The Shawano County Futurity gives dairy breeders a chance to show off some of their most prolific cows while also treating the crowd to a bit of a fashion show.
Since the event was started in 2007, participants have upped the ante for showmanship by donning formal wear or other colorful costumes during the Saturday night exhibition inside the fairgrounds coliseum.
Organizers also have introduced a special theme each year, including this year’s 1970s throwback theme that had farmers walking the show ring in bell-bottoms and go-go boots.
“We have a lot of fun with it,” said Heather Jauquet, chairman of the event.
The idea behind the exhibition requires breeders to register newborn calves more than two years in advance, gambling that the calves will develop into show-quality cows. It costs $15 to register each calf, and the money is combined with sponsorships to award cash prizes for the best cows and other winners, including best-dressed exhibitor.
Spectators crowded into the coliseum for the unusual event were allowed to choose this year’s best-dressed winner.
The event is not only about having a good time, as farmers take seriously the honor that comes from producing a futurity winner. The prestigious award symbolizes the overall quality of a dairy breeding operation.
“It reinforces your confidence in your breeding program,” said Cindy Holewinski, whose Park View Dairy Farm in Maple Grove has taken top honors three times.
Only about 1 in 10 calves registered for futurity actually end up making it to the competition.
This year’s exhibition featured 13 cows from several big farms throughout Shawano County.
Holewinski’s husband, Fabian Holewinski, sported a colorful bow-tie to present his cow in the coliseum, while other entries from his farm were shown by his son and daughter-in-law, Garrett and Kelly Holewinski. Kelly wore a bright blue strapless evening gown for the occasion.
Fabian said the event is a county fair highlight for him that has little to do with winning awards.
“I just like the camaraderie,” he said. “We’re all friends — it’s like a family.”
Another breeder, Gary Olson, went all out on the ’70s theme, with a polyester suit that included white bell-bottom trousers and a matching white tie. His grand-daughter, Mikayla Haack, 15, dressed up like a hippie flower child.
Olson said he appreciates the pageantry and being able to showcase some of Shawano County’s best dairy cows before a crowd of spectators that includes many non-farmers. Although he enjoys helping to put on a show, Olson said the underlying purpose of the competition is to select the best farm animals.
“It’s still on the cow,” he said. “It’s not really how you’re dressed.”
Jauquet, who showed her cow while wearing go-go boots and attire, said breeders enjoy the challenge of trying to guess which calves in their herds are likely to become good futurity entries.
Nearly 150 calves were registered in the group that produced this year’s field of 13 entries.
Jauquet said the cows that rise to the level of a good futurity competitor are among the most physically impressive specimens in the county.
“They just have a look,” she said. “They have a presence and a grace about them.”