To collect and collate historical photographs, memorabilia, and personal stories in order to preserve the history of the McLeod County Fair. The fair will seek out stories and request historical items, for loan or donation, to the McLeod County Agricultural Association. During the 140th anniversary of the fair, visitors can view a history display. Funds will be used to preserve a piece of Minnesota's heritage in a single collection, while educating the public with displays.
The McLeod County Fair will contract with Minnesota artists of various talents and styles of music from polka bands to multi-piece bands and acoustic performers that cover original songs to classic hits from a variety of genres. We strive to cover a broad range of styles that suit all aged attendees of our fair, as well as providing the opportunity to expose new music styles to those that may not have otherwise considered listening elsewhere.
We will be using the money to hire Minnesota-based entertainment for our free stage. We will be bringing in a Rockabilly entertainer, which is rock n' roll music with roots in music of the American South during the 1950's. This band is from Rochester, MN. We also have two other bands that play old time music and country music. Both are local artists from our hometown of Austin, MN. Another local band will be doing country music. Our final artist is an Elvis Impersonator. He is from Harmony, MN.
The "Looney Lutherans" will be back again to perform a new show for our community. They fit well into our local cultural history using music and comedy to showcase our past, present and future with the performance of "Hotdish on the Range." This show provides a free opportunity for those that are not able to make the trip to the Twin Cities. Many of our local residents can relate to the antics of the church women. , This year we are also excited to bring the Minnesota Raptor program to the fair. We were unable to have them last year due to the Avian Flu.
We are holding a blacksmithing demonstration where the blacksmiths will display as well as show how metal is forged and made into useful artistic tools and show when this art started. We are having an onsite pottery artist come and demonstrate how pottery is made and what is involved. We will have a local balloon artist come and show her many talents of balloon art as well as a face painter and a henna tattoo artist (which has been around for centuries). Live music from local Minnesota musicians will also be involved in the fun.
The St. Louis County Fair will be presenting several different programs that will reflect various art forms. These programs will be comprised of different entertainers including a couple bands playing musch that is multi-generational and multicultural (Finnish). We will also be presenting forging demonstrations.
1) We are intending to book a family comedy/magic performance by the name of "Mixed Nuts". They are based out of St. Paul, Minnesota. , 2) We have a One Room School house that is in need of repair and paint. We are intending to use the remaining money from the legacy grant to fulfill the needed attention to this historical attraction at our Becker County Fair.
We intend to hire internationally renowned potter, Jim Ulmer, to demonstrate and explain the historic nature and science of creating usable ceramics and glazes. We intend to hire Andrew Osten, a local steam engine tractor owner to bring his tractor to the fair for steam engine demonstrations. We intend to hire Jody Marquardt, a locally known, publicized metal worker (blacksmith) who creates historical items out of metal.
1. SECOND EDITION OF McLEOD COUNTY FAIR HISTORY: 1993 through 2022 for our 150th Celebration. Our Legacy project is a continuation of documenting our agricultural association's history. The first edition of the book covered our beginning years in the late 1800's up through 1992. This second edition book will cover the years of 1993 - 2022, the year of our 150th Celebration. This important documentation of our past will preserve our agricultural history in our community and serve as the foundation of the legacy that we will carry on for future generations.
With this grant we will be bringing in performers and entertainment to our Fair Square Stage and strolling acts. Our goal is to enrich the cultural experience of our community by providing access to diverse and engaging arts programming during our fair. This will allow us to showcase local Minnesota based talented artists and performers, fostering a deeper appreciation for arts and cultural heritage among our fairgoers.
We are excited to bring in a group that will provide some authentic "German" heritage. The "Concord Singers" from New Ulm, Minnesota will delight the fairgoers with the heritage that has been preserved, nurtured and cherished. They will perform their festive German tunes that have been inherited from their ancestors. Another new event that we will have is Draugr Forge. Zach is a bladesmith that will be demonstrating his ability to make various knives and tools using his forging skills.
We have a home-grown Minnesota band for two nights: Todd Eckart and the Centerville Allstars. We are also adding to our history of the fairgrounds display.
We are excited to have the same pottery lady come back this coming year. She will be teaching a class where people can make their pottery, then she will kiln dry the pieces and bring it to the fair so people can learn how this process is done. We will have a local lazer engraver come to show how jewelry and leatherwork is done with a machine. The balloon artist is coming back along with a face painter and henna tattoo artists. We also intend to have a local sled dog musher visit with his dogs to teach fairgoers how important sled dogs were in the early days.
The legacy portion of this grant will go toward a magician/entertainer who will initially stroll the grounds interacting with fairgoers (mostly youth) demonstrating balloon animals and then having a sit-down magic show twice a day. We will be have fiber weaving/crafting demonstrations throughout the fair week. These demonstrations will be done by 2 people showing from start to finish how fibers (sheep, dog, etc.) are spun into yarns and then woven into other products. We will also be enlisting one of our locals in demonstrating the art of forging.
To expand and enhance Becker County Fair's fine arts display area by adding and improving display cases and lighting. Display cases will feature handiwork that is indicative of the area's culture, exhibit historical photos, American Indian fine art, and indigenous floral arrangements.
To improve the exhibit space for arts, cultural heritage, MN history displays at the St Louis County Fair by improving lighting and purchasing new display easels.
To highlight local talent by enhancing the fine arts display area with finished display cabinets. Additionally, funds will be used to bring live bluegrass music to the fair.
The Floodwood Four Rivers Legacy Encampment Park will make its debut at the 2012 Southwest St Louis County Fair. Located on the banks of the Floodwood River, the encampment will consist of several live, interactive demonstrations and displays depicting early trades and activities that took place on the area rivers. Fair visitors will enjoy activities such as birch bark canoe building demonstrations, fur trading reenactments, Native American homestead displays, and early logging equipment displays and demonstrations.
To offer a series of free, historical presentations at the Murray County Fair. Topics covered will include: the Sweetman Colony of Murray County; the role of women during the early settlement of Murray County; the Dakota Conflict of 1862; and a presentation on the history of the Murray County Fair. Based on the research presented on the history of the fair, a book will be published.
To improve display areas that feature quilts, historic and artistic photographs, American Indian fine art, indigenous floral arrangements, locally grown herbs, and other handiwork indicative of Becker county by purchasing display cases and improving lighting. Additionally, to feature American Indian performers and a Norwegian performing pair to share their talents under the free tent during the fair.
Funding supports an Irrigation Specialist to develop guidance and provide education on irrigation and nitrogenbest management practices (BMPs). In this position, Dr. Vasu Sharma provides direct support to irrigators onissues of irrigation scheduling and soil water monitoring. She is collaborating on the development of new irrigationscheduling tools that help irrigators manage water and nitrogen resources more precisely. These tools help reducenitrogen leaching losses in irrigated cropping systems.
To offer new arts and cultural heritage programming at the St. Louis County Fair. Programming will include performances by Irish Dancers, a Native American pow-wow, children's theater, vaudeville, and music featuring a barbershop quartet, gospel, and Americana songs.
To bring together a diverse assortment of educational opportunities to one location and provide an easily accessed way for all ages and backgrounds to enhance their knowledge of the arts, culture and heritage. The McLeod County Fair connected with community people from multiple communities and backgrounds by hosting presentations and demonstrations by local artists and experts within the areas of the arts, cultural heritage and Minnesota history.
To bring provide new and diverse programming to the McLeod County Fair. Programming will include presentations and demonstrations by local artists and experts on pioneer trunks, Native American legends and beliefs, and the US Dakota conflict of 1862. By holding these demonstrations, the McLeod County Fair hopes to develop precedence and continue to offer demonstrations like these in future years.
Native to the western United States and Canada, mountain pine beetle is considered the most devastating forest insect in North America. Trees usually die as a result of infestation and an unprecedented outbreak in the west is currently decimating pine forests there. While mountain pine beetle is not presently believed to reside in Minnesota, there are risks posed by an expanding species range resulting from warming climate and the potential for accidental introduction via lumber imports from infested areas.
To enhance exhibits of local artists' work by improving lighting in Mower County Fair's Creative Arts Building. Additional natural light and new spotlights will help artists highlight their work.
To provide new arts programming at the South St Louis County Fair. Programming will include a Bluegrass band, barbershop quartets, and children’s music.
To increase access to historical and cultural presentations in southwest St Louis county by building an amphitheater on the banks of the Floodwood River. Because the community of Floodwood has not previously had a grandstand area, the stage will be an excellent venue to promote the arts, cultural history, and the ethnic mix of people who settled in the area.
To bring a variety of historical programming to the Southwest St Louis County Fair. Programming will include a reenactment of voyager encampment life featuring fur traders, blacksmiths, and other encampment entrepreneurs. The fair will also host a dogsledding demonstration.
To increase arts and cultural heritage programming at the Southwest St Louis County Fair. Professional artist Brian Jarvi, the first to win both the Minnesota Duck and Pheasant contest in consecutive years, will be an artist in residency during the fair. Reenactments of fur trading, fur trapping, and camp life will also be available to visitors.
To increase exposure and access to arts and agricultural displays, by mounting television screens in exhibit buildings and public areas. By making fair attendees more aware of what is happening in all corners of the fair ground, McLeod County Fair plans on attracting a demographic that typically passes by the arts and agricultural exhibit buildings. Information to be broadcast includes, but is not limited to, arts demonstrations, musical performances, agricultural facts and figures, and McLeod County Fair history.
