We plan to use this grant to offset costs for our blacksmith demonstrations, and towards the local Minnesota-based musicians we hire for our free stage.
Our legacy project will be free stage presentations throughout the fair August 2-6, 2023. We will have a mixture of Minnesota bands and youth education with a raptor presentation.
1) On our large stage we would like to build a small dressing room for performers as they have no place to be ready to perform. 2) Get a portable PA system for the free stage; 3) Hire a Paul Bunyan performer.
We will use this grant to focus on the rich history of agriculture in Minnesota through presentations and displays by photographers Doug Ohman and AJ Kern. We're promoting art in our area and state through the chainsaw art of Curt Ingvoldstad and the hands-on demonstrations of Lisa Douglas. The antique tractor display at our fairgrounds will be a bit more educational with a sign displaying the various types of tractors, along with facts about some that are on display.
Olmsted County Fair offers a free stage featuring all Rochester, MN or southeastern Minnesota-based musical artists every night of the fair. We plan to use funds from the Legacy Grant to help bring these musical and performing artists to our fair. A few of our featured acts this year include bands County Line Drive and The Soul Train.
For our Magic Village- Kelvin does an agriculture-related magic show that is fun for all ages. Also Todd-N-Tina will come. They are educators in the art of dance/movement and getting energized by involving youth and adults to get off their seats and on their feet. They promote fun in music, song and dance.
This year we'd like to use our Legacy funds to promote the history of Minnesota agriculture through the presentations of Doug Ohman. We're also excited to welcome back chainsaw artist Kurt Ingvaldson to showcase his unique talents. We'll have a spinning demonstration from a local artisan along with music from local jazz and blue grass bands. There are plans to have a local artist repaint our livestock barn signs and we're also looking at creating signs for our antique tractor display to better inform the public about the historical types of tractors.
To provide educational and entertaining events that showcase the many diverse cultures of Stevens County, and purchase a sound system to enhance performances and demonstrations.
To expand arts, educational, and history programming at the Scott County Fair. Funds will be used to bring the county historical society to the fair to share their educational resources, host quilting demonstrations, feature a local polka band, and presentations about the role of animals in agricultural history.
To create a Historic Structures Report (HSR), a specialized study that provides documentary information about a historic property's significance, history of use, and current condition. It will be an early step in preservation planning, that considers goals for a structure's use, significant features, and outlines a recommended course of treatment and scope of work for repair and restoration.
The project will develop and install an educational exhibit on the history and significance of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Olmsted County and throughout MN. As the regional headquarters of both of these depression-era economic programs, the Olmsted County Fairgrounds was integral to their local activities and played a role in the development of agricultural and civic infrastructure that continued to serve southeastern MN for decades.
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that has been decimating ash trees throughout the Great Lakes states. It was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009 and is now found in four counties (Hennepin, Houston, Ramsey, and Winona). EAB poses a particularly serious threat to Minnesota because it is home to nearly 1 billion ash trees that occur throughout the state - the second most of any state.
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.
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 provide educational opportunities for fair visitors to learn about the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in southern Minnesota. Between 1933 and 1939, the Olmsted County Fairgrounds was home to the regional headquarters of the CCC company 1774-V. The fair will create two exhibits documenting the living conditions of CCC and WPA workers, and the long-term impact of both programs.
To partner with the Scott County Historical Society to co-design a mobile recording booth big enough to house high-quality recording equipment, a table and seating for 2-4 people, and create a Best Practices manual on collecting oral histories. The booth would include a ramp and wide door and table for ADA accessibility. Scott County Fair will pilot the first round of interviews during the fair, and support the Historical Society to implement plans to manage the collection of stories, train volunteers to staff the booth, and conduct transcription.
To provide a variety of programming at the Winona County Fair that preserves and promotes Minnesota's history and cultural heritage. Art demonstrations will feature painting, watercolor, drawing, oils, spinning, weaving, and quilting. Visitors will be able to view antique tractors and learn about their history and restoration process. Children can watch a marionette show and learn about ventriloquism. The fair will feature a bluegrass band and a dog sledding display.
To begin the process of significantly enhancing access to the free arts and cultural programming at the Scott County Fair. A new sound and lights system for the stage will improve the audience experience during arts and cultural shows, and performer and audience feedback will help guide the fair as they design a new stage area for future years.
To complete the state’s only mobile oral history recording studio. The Scott County Agricultural Society will completed the road-worthy customized trailer to make it a sound-proof, climate-controlled recording studio.
To recognize outstanding senior citizens in Sibley County. Attendees can listen to a polka band and watch the awards ceremony. Funds will also be used to upgrade stage lighting and install a sound system to enhance the programming.
Additionally, funds will enhance the fine arts exhibits in the Horticulture Building. Upgraded lighting and new display cases will improve the visibility of photography, quilt and needlework entries.
To construct an Arts and Heritage Center on the fair grounds. The Sibley County Fair will erect an Arts and Heritage Center with a 40 foot stage and two dressing rooms. The building will primarily serve as an educational arts and culture center for the fair. The fair will present acts on the stage from six to eight hours per day during the fair.
To rehabilitate the original horse racing judges’ stand. The stand is the last relic of the 143 year old fair grounds and dates back to the late 1800’s. The stand is comprised of a first story entry and refreshment area, and an upper section for judging the races. It’s 360 degree observation of the track was made possible by its hexagon shape and large doors that could be lifted when needed on each side. This is the first stage of the multi-year restoration of this prized building and is an important part of the plan to initiate a daily educational program at the fair.
To offer new arts and history programming at the Stevens County Fair. Demonstrations will include soap making, butter churning, and how to make candle and games.
To preserve the one room schoolhouse on the fairgrounds. The Little Red Schoolhouse will need painting, window repair, and electrical upgrades. The Winona County Historical Society will help organize materials for programming and exhibiting.
Funds will also improve lighting in two art exhibit buildings.
