Entry Day Excitement at the County Fair

Before the gates open for the 2015 Dodge County Fair, the excitement of entry day fills the fairgrounds. You can hear it in the laughter of young exhibitors throughout the 4-H Youth Building as they bring their homemade projects to be judged and displayed, you can see it on their faces as you peek down the aisle of the cattle barns and you smell it in the air, as all the food stands start preparing delicious fair favorite foods!

The Dodge County Fair is officially opened to the public starting Wednesday, but Tuesday was a big day for exhibitors of all ages. Youth exhibitors, both 4-H or FFA members and Open Class exhibitors from across the county brought their projects to the fair so they can be judged and displayed throughout the duration of the five day fair. For all exhibitors the fair is the culmination of months of hard work.

Frank Behling an open class dairy cattle exhibitor says, “The fair brings out great competition, it is definitely a highlight of the summer for us. We always look forward to Dodge County Fair.” Like many animal exhibitors Behling has a dairy herd to care for when not enjoying his week of good company at the fair, he farms a 45-cow herd just outside of Beaver Dam; Wildweed Holsteins and Jerseys.

All exhibitors are excited to see how their projects will do and what the judges will think of them. Many youth have multiple projects on exhibit at the fair. It is a learning experience as they develop strengths and learn how to improve for next year.

Behling says, “Throughout my years as a youth exhibitor to an adult; it’s all about learning how to problem solve and work through challenges. It’s a process of sharing with the judge your knowledge, as well as showing how great your animal or project is.”

Come see all the projects on display when the Dodge County Fair kicks off on Wednesday!