Woodbury County Fair History
The following Woodbury County Fair History was taken
from the 1987 Moville History Book “Our History, Our Community, Our
People” published to celebrate Moville’s Centennial. This represents a
small bit of the history of the fair from 1926 – 1986.
The Woodbury County Fair
When the Interstate Fair, which had been held in Sioux City for many
years, was discontinued with the 1926 season, the Woodbury County Farm
Bureau joined with representatives of Plymouth County, Iowa; Union
County, South Dakota; and Dakota county, Nebraska; to hold an
inter-county fair at Moville in September 1927. It was named the Big-4
Fair and Ralph McElrath of Moville was elected president of the new
organization.
Lack of
cooperation prevented the hoped-for success, but in the next year, 1928,
the Farm Bureau arranged for the exposition to be held at the
fairgrounds in Sioux City. The Sioux City Chamber of Commerce donated
$7,500 and the Monahan Legion Post also helped support the movement.
There still was little public interest. In 1930 the Woodbury County Farm
Bureau asked various towns in the county to bid for a county fair.
Moville’s bid of $8,000 was the winner.
Officers of
the new organization formed at this time were: Alvern Wendel of Bronson,
president; Milford Beeghly of Pierson, vice president; Fred McDermott of
Moville, secretary; and Henry Wood of Moville, treasurer. It was decided
to hold the fair the following September 10, 11, and 12. The undertaking
proved successful; there was an attendance of 13,105 and the fair board
realized a modest profit.
Some exhibits
were displayed in booths on Main Street; others in what is now the
Masonic Temple; and the 4-H exhibits were in a garage on Second Street.
Livestock was shown in a large barn on the W. E. Hall farm at the east
end of Main Street. Among the attractions at the fair were a baseball
game each afternoon, a hog and chicken calling contest, a horseshoe
pitching contest in the town park, and foot races at the baseball park.
Bands from surrounding towns furnished music each day.
In 1930 the
Fair Association purchased 29 acres of the W. E. Hall farm which joined
Moville on the east. The large barn there, which had been used at fair
time for stock exhibits, was remodeled. A sheep barn and hog house were
built; also a women’s exhibit hall was erected.
An interesting
item taken from a clipping of a Sioux City newspaper on August 27, 1931,
state that “the following person financed and built the grandstand which
will eventually become the property of the Fair Association; F.L.
McDermott, Wallace Rundall, James Anderson, J. C. Larkin and C. C.
Everhart.” Several years later a roof was erected over the grandstand.
In 1962 there were 68 acres and 14 buildings; in the ensuing years many
additions and improvements have been made.
Many
attractions have been offered to boost attendance. These included an Old
Settler’s Day. Free admission was given to all who had lived in the
county for 50 years or more. Also there have been many noted speakers,
including Milo Reno, president of the Iowa Farmer’s Union (1930);
Lieutenant Governor Nelson G. Kraschel (1933); and U. S. Senator Guy M.
Gillette of Cherokee (1934). When Henry C. Field of Shenandoah was the
featured speaker on September 16, 1932, the attendance was 6,000, a
record for any one day.
As a special
attraction at the fair of 1934, a wedding was performed on the stage
before the grandstand on the evening of August 30. The bride was Miss
Anna Paulson of Bronson, and the groom was Emery Riemenschneider of
Kingsley. The Reverend G. A. Matthaidess of Sioux City officiated.
By 1933 racing
was one of the main attractions. But this had to be discontinued after a
few years because the track was too short to accommodate the better type
of horses. The famous Shrine White Horse Patrol has performed several
times and is a perennial favorite of the crowd.
Children’s Day
has been a special feature. In the past, children competed in Shetland
pony races, bicycle races and foot races, and in recent years a frog
jumping contest and Pedal Power Pulls have been popular. At the 1934
fair a most unusual feature was a rural school chorus of 360 voices,
conducted by Hal Buntley of Sioux City.
The county
fair provides competition and a place to display their year’s work for
4-H members and the open class exhibitors. Volleyball games, tug-of-war,
and baseball and softball have also provided competition.
Fun and
recreation for the whole family are also a big part of the fair.
Demolition derbys, tractor pulls, chuck wagon and chariot races, quean
and talent contests are popular events in recent years. Ladies Day
programs feature cooking schools, garden programs and craft
demonstrations. Dances are very popular with square dances, teen dances,
and live bands providing music for all ages.
Volunteers
from the 4-H clubs, primarily the Arlington Future Farmers and leader
Leonard Applegate, Moville Township Boys 4-H Club and leader Clarence
Neville; and the Pierson Blue Ribbon Club and leader Ben Nannen, built
the boys 4-H dormitory, now the 4-H office building. The masonry work
was donated by Turner Ritchey as a booster of 4-H work.
In 1966 the
show ring was constructed from materials supplied by the Woodbury County
Farm Bureau.
During the
time W. R. Herbold was secretary-manager, 1969-1972, three metal
buildings were added for commercial and 4-H exhibits. They were financed
by private subscription and a contract with the Farmers Hybrid Seed Corn
for their use of the buildings for off-season storage. One of these
buildings was named Bleil Hall in memory of Howard Bleil who was a board
member for 51 years and treasurer for 27 years.
In 1984
Flathers Hall was built. It was named in honor of Max Flathers for all
the support and interest he provided the fair over the years. Flathers
Hall is used for performances such as the queen contest, talent shows
and the 4-H Fashion Revue. It holds approximately 800 people and allows
the fair to provide attractions to be in the grandstand and Flathers
Hall at the same time. A building formerly housing chickens and rabbits
was demolished in 1984 and the volleyball court installed in its place.
Past
presidents of the Woodbury County Fair; A. S. Wendel, 1930-1936; Fred
McDermott, 1937; Milford Beeghly, 1938-1940; Geo. Morhouser, 1940-1043;
M. J. Neustrom, 1944-1946; R. E. Richards, 1947-1951; Fred Tabke,
1942-1954; Howard Bleil, 1955; I. V. Kuhn, 1956-1958; R. D. Harms,
1959-1960; Nick Topf, 1961-1967; Harold Nash, 1968-1969; A. L. Wendel,
1970-1971; Les Groepper, 1972-1973; W. R. Herbold, 1974-1976; J. P.
Woodbridge, 1977-1980; Wayne Molstad, 1981; J. P. Woodbridge, 1982-1984;
and Gene Zellmer, 1985-1986.
Past
secretaries; Fred McDermott, 1930-1940; Clyde Spry, 1941-1942; F. H.
Rebelsky, 1943-1951; Wayne Luse, 1952- 1956; William McElrath, Jr.,
1957-1968; W. R. Herbold, 1969-1972; Larry Etler, 1973-1975; Jim Bleil
and Pert Powell, 1976-1977; Pert and Gail Powell, 1978-1980; Lyle
Scheelhaase, 1981; Jack and Nancy Burright, 1982 – 1986.
In 1986 there
were 63 acres of land and 26 buildings on the fairgrounds.
From an
article taken from the Moville Record October 16, 1986 –
“The 1987 Woodbury County Fair will be August 5-9 with Schnetter
Amusements of Aurelia providing the carnival.
Gene Zellmer
of Moville was re-elected president of the Woodbury County Fair Board at
the Fair Association Annual Meeting held October 6.
Carole
Hennings of Moville was elected 1st Vice President; Leonard
Cassens of Anthon, 2nd vice president; and Cal Tyer of
Kingsley, 3rd vice president. Leo Farber, Pierson, was
re-elected treasurer.
Elected to the
executive board were; Kurt Nash, Kingsley; Kenneth Petersen, Moville;
Leonard Wilcox, Correctionville; and Wayne Molstad, Moville.
Directors
elected to the board include Don Albers, Danbury; Bud Chapman, Moville;
Lester Groepper, Correctionville, Dan Johnson, Cushing; Jim Bleil,
Moville, Kevern Koskovich, Correctionville; Sara McElrath, Moville;
Lewis Reyman, Cushing; Cal Tyer, Kingsley; Kelly Weaver, Moville;
Leonard Wilcox, Correctionville; Allene Huibregtse, Sioux City; and Dave
Amick, Bronson.
Jack and Nancy
Burright were rehired as secretary-managers.”
The Woodbury
County Fair continues to be a most worthwhile event made possible by its
officers, faithful volunteers and interested workers in its many phases.
Through its 58 years, changes have been made to adapt to the changing
tastes and desires of those who have attended. As it looks to the
future, the participants and attenders will shape the fair as it
continues to provide a place to display wares and entertain the public.
Past presidents of the Woodbury County Fair
A. S. Wendel, 1930-1936; Fred McDermott, 1937; Milford Beeghly, 1938-1940; Geo. Morhouser, 1940-1043; M. J. Neustrom, 1944-1946; R. E. Richards, 1947-1951; Fred Tabke, 1942-1954; Howard Bleil, 1955; I. V. Kuhn, 1956-1958; R. D. Harms, 1959-1960; Nick Topf, 1961-1967; Harold Nash, 1968-1969; A. L. Wendel, 1970-1971; Les Groepper, 1972-1973; W. R. Herbold, 1974-1976; J. P. Woodbridge, 1977-1980; Wayne Molstad, 1981; J. P. Woodbridge, 1982-1984; and Gene Zellmer, 1985-1987; Leonard Cassens, 1988-2001; Dale Hayworth, 2002-2005; Charlie Reinking, 2006 to the present time.
Past Fair Managers / Secretaries
Fred McDermott, 1930-1940; Clyde Spry, 1941-1942; F. H. Rebelsky, 1943-1951; Wayne Luse, 1952- 1956; William McElrath, Jr., 1957-1968; W. R. Herbold, 1969-1972; Larry Etler, 1973-1975; Jim Bleil and Pert Powell, 1976-1977; Pert and Gail Powell, 1978-1980; Lyle Scheelhaase, 1981; Jack and Nancy Burright, 1982 – 1999; Cal and Barb Tyer 2000-2005; Dave Amick and Gloria Zook 2006 – 2009; Dave Amick and Kathy Tabke at the present time.