The Fort Atkinson Online photography team of Kim McDarison and Chris Spangler arrived at the Jefferson County Fair on Thursday. The team found a full day of activities and met exhibitors of all variety; fair-goers, some of whom traveled to attend from as far away as Illinois; and a host of other folks who make the fair run smoothly and promote a full spectrum of fun. Following are photos from the day.
Kayla Anfang-Kruizenga, 12, of Fort Atkinson and her crossbred pig, “Gracee,” are ready for the Showmanship Grade 6 Class judging at the Jefferson County Fair. Anfang-Kruizenga is a member of the Country Roots 4-H Club.
Colin Anfang of Sullivan and his pig, “Ford,” head toward the ring for Showmanship judging.
Youngsters and their pigs enter the ring for judging.
Two pigs strut their stuff.
Jewelynn Gonzalez of Cambridge joins her spring ewe lamb, “Wiggles,” in its pen at the Jefferson County Fair. Born March 10, Wiggles is a Jacob Sheep, one of the oldest genetic breeds in the world. Gonzalez is a member of the Lake Ripley 4-H Club.
Lillyth Gonzalez snuggles with her spring ram, who is, coincidentally, named “Snuggles.” Gonzalez is a member of the Lake Ripley 4-H Club.
Sheep rest quietly under a sign for Fort Atkinson FFA found in the sheep barn at the Jefferson County Fair.
Lincoln Laabs of Oakfield stands with “Finnegan,” a 2-year-old registered Belgian. Laabs was learning on Thursday how to braid a horses tail.
Emily Klingbeil and her 1-year-old daughter, Mary, visit the lambs at the Jefferson County Fair. Klingbeil is the Cambridge schools’ FFA adviser.
Amanda Doman of Creekwater Farm, Watertown, braids the tail of “Finnegan,” a 2-year-old registered Belgian, in the Draft Horse Barn at the Jefferson County Fair Thursday. She was teaching the art of braiding to Lincoln Laabs of Oakfield.
At the Jefferson County Fair Thursday, four friends enjoy ice cream cones in the Beef Barn. From left are Kaylee Lund of Cambridge, a member of the Lake Ripley 4-H Club; Kimmy Roidt of Cambridge, a member of the South Side Eagles 4-H Club; Tara Bettenhausen of Cambridge, a member of the Lake Ripley 4-H Club; and Ava Tyler of Janesville and Oshkosh. Ava is Tara’s cousin and was visiting the fair for the day.
Fair staff members drive a tractor offering rides around the fairgrounds.
Cows enjoy the afternoon in the barn at the Jefferson County Fair.
Cows enjoy some face-to-face time while resting in their comfy bedding.
Grace Roth of Fort Atkinson, a member of the Country Clovers 4-H Club, hangs out in the Beef Barn at the Jefferson County Fair with her cousin’s yearling heifer, “Dixie.”
Reporter Chris Spangler learns about cows.
Hunter Schwab of Fort Atkinson takes a break with his steers, “Arti,” left, and “Sheldon,” in the Beef Barn at the Jefferson County Fair Thursday. He is a member of the Country Clovers 4-H Club.
Colin Anfang of Lake Mills poses for a photo with “Sapphire,” his Hereford heifer, in the Beef Barn at the Jefferson County Fair Thursday.
A sweet bovine face.
Ean Reichert of Windy Hill Farm, Johnson Creek, is pictured with his 7-year-old Percheron mare, “Gennett,” in the Draft Horse Barn at the Jefferson County Fair Thursday.
Candy Hamilton of Rockford, Ill., and her grandson, Tyler Zumwalt, view draft horses at the Jefferson County Fair Thursday.
Chris Fountain of Sullivan admires a 75-horsepower John Deere 5075E tractor in a lineup of new green tractors.
A draft horse and its human family take a walk around the Draft Horse Barn.
Animals and owners spent quality time together Thursday afternoon in and around the fair’s exhibit barns.
A mechanic checks to make sure rides are in tip-tip shape. Midway rides were scheduled Thursday to open at 4 p.m.
Fort Atkinson Online contributor and longtime area journalist Chris Spangler finds a ride.
Cousins Ella Foerster and Emily Foerster, both of Fort Atkinson, pose for a photo with their heifers, “Amber” and “Nellie”, respectively. Amber is a Red-and-White Holstein, while Nellie is a Black-and-White Holstein; both are about 1 year old.
A group from Caledonia, Ill., prepares to take a ride in a horse-drawn buggy at the Jefferson County Fair.
Deputy Tim Steinbach hosts the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office booth at the Jefferson County Fair Thursday. A highlight for visitors is the department’s emergency-response vehicle.
A family explores the booths at the Jefferson County Fair.
The Jefferson County Democratic Party has a booth at the Jefferson County Fair. On Thursday, three members were greeting visitors. From left, they are Laurel Tinkle, Jefferson; Kathy Kruk, Jefferson; and Carrie Doyle, Fort Atkinson.
Pam Lazaris, Lake Mills, hosts the Jefferson County Republican Party booth at the Jefferson County Fair Thursday. Pam serves as the organization’s historian.
Facepainting is popular at the Jefferson County Fair. On Thursday, Attigun Benz of Farmington, left, and Evangeline Lapp of Watertown displayed beautiful facial artwork.
Jefferson County Fair volunteers Chris and Curt Kreklow of Jefferson stop to help FortAtkinsonOnline.com photographers get directions to the Entertainment Tent.
Kyle Durkee of Milton poses for a photo at the Jefferson County Fair with his rabbit, “Ollie.” A New Zealand breed, Ollie placed first in the Single Fryer class.
Vivianne Manson, 6, and brother William Manson, 3, look at the bunnies in the Rabbit Barn Thursday at the Jefferson County Fair. The children reside in Edgerton.
Roald Ager-Hart, 15, of Jefferson, won first place with this diorama in the Junior Mechanical Projects class at the Jefferson County Fair. He is a member of the Duck Creek 4-H Club.
In the building housing Open Class and Senior Citizen exhibits at the Jefferson County Fair, the Badger Woodturners are showing visitors how to turn wood. Pictured above, Badger Woodturners member Bob Schweitzer of Jefferson teaches Jillian Wangerin of Fort Atkinson how to make a top, which she then got to take with her as a souvenir. Wangerin is a member of the Rock River Clovers 4-H Club.
Addy Statz of Helenville received first place for cake decorating in the Junior Foods and Nutrition Project at the Jefferson County Fair. Fair-goers went hog wild for her pig cupcakes.
This cake was among items on display in the Junior Foods and Nutrition Project at the Jefferson County Fair.
Glenn and Joyce Laird of Fort Atkinson enjoy the floral exhibits at the Jefferson County Fair Thursday. The Lairds are avid gardeners themselves.
This tiny garden was on display as part of the Junior Exhibit: Crops, Plants, Soil, Vegetables and Flowers.
Art pieces were among items on display at the Jefferson County Fair.
Three brothers from Davis, Ill., enjoy coloring at the Jefferson County Fair Thursday. From left are Jace Stahl and his twin brothers, Titus and Titan. Their mother said she is originally from Oconomowoc and the family always has enjoyed attending the Jefferson fair.
Lori Richardson of Milton was hosting the Jefferson County Health Department booth at the county fair on Thursday. Information on COVID-19 and the many health programs offered by the county was available.
Jefferson County Clean Sweep and recycling program information is available to attendees of the Jefferson County Fair. On Thursday, Caitlin McAleavey, county Clean Sweep coordinator and solid waste specialist, behind table, at left, and volunteer Anita Martin of Lake Mills, were hosting the booth. Upcoming events include a Clean Sweep at the City of Watertown Street Department, 811 S. First St., from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 17, and 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sept. 18. There will be an Appliance, Electronics and Bicycle Recycling Clean Sweep from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sept. 2.
Fair park employees on Thursday set up the grandstand stage in preparation for Friday’s show by the Ides of March. Saturday night will feature country music singer John Pardi, with Sunday being the day for the demolition derby.
Fair Committee Chairman Blane Poulson and Fair Director Amy Listle take time to visit with Fort Atkinson Online. The two were on site overseeing activities as staff prepared for upcoming weekend events.
Ella Greving, 9, from Sullivan, gets feedback from the judges after performing the song “Tomorrow,” dressed as “Little Orphan Annie.” Greving said participating in Musical Theater was fun and she looks forward to doing it again.
Flautist Makeylla Wiedenfeld performs for the audience and judges in the Miller High Life Entertainment Tent Thursday.
Fort Atkinson Online contributor Chris Spangler on Thursday said she had a wonderful time looking at exhibits and meeting people at the fair. A 40-plus year veteran of journalism in the area, she said she remembers when the fair park had more tents than buildings. The park has come a long way, she said. What’s remained the same is the quality of the exhibits and the time and attention Jefferson County residents, young and old, put into projects and mentoring youth. Describing cheese curds as a favorite fair food, she said finding some was a must before leaving the park. A carton teeming with the dairyland treats accompanied her on the way out. The Jefferson County Fair will remain open throughout the weekend. Carnival rides close Sunday at 6 p.m. For more information about the fair, visit the website: https://www.jcfairpark.com.