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Fair winds down for another year

By Shawn Linenberger - | Aug 21, 2002

No matter the age, area residents found something to enjoy at the Leavenworth County Fair last week.

The parade Wednesday provided children with ample amounts of candy from floats, while youth could also enjoy amusement rides, games and even a petting zoo at the fairgrounds in Tonganoxie.

Some Leavenworth County residents also experienced the county fair Friday when they otherwise might not have made the trip.

The Leavenworth County Council on Aging sponsored the first Senior Day at the fair. The event, with the help of the fair board and various sponsors, served a meal to local senior citizens.

They also played bingo and were shuttled around the fairgrounds.

Linda Lobb, director with the council, said the turnout was encouraging.

“We didn’t anticipate such a crowd,” Lobb said.

Organizers thought about 25 people would attend, but more than 110 people came for the event.

The activities included a meal, bingo and fairground shuttles for the seniors.

Anna Gilsert, Leavenworth, who came to the fair for the first time Friday, liked the scenery.

“I enjoyed it,” Gilsert said.

Vera Baldwin, who also came from Leavenworth for the event, said she just couldn’t stay home last weekend.

“We enjoy getting out,” Baldwin said. “I’ve got itchy feet.”

Along with the fair board, First State Bank and Trust, Community National Bank, Bichelmeyer’s, all of Tonganoxie, and McDonalds, Leavenworth, also sponsored the event. The sponsors helped fund the meal and prizes, and Boling 4-H members, Leavenworth, brought rabbits, bucket calves and pygmy goats to the seniors’ tent.

Lobb said the event was a success.

“We hope the fair board will let us do this again next year,” Lobb said.

Senior day was just one aspect of the county’s annual event. As car after car took up vacant grass space to the west and north of the fairgrounds, people flocked to various areas on the grounds. The rodeo arena had its grandstand filled with enthusiasts Thursday and Friday for the Leavenworth County Fair Rodeo. On Saturday, a demolition derby was the arena’s main event.

Elsewhere, judging on everything from livestock to flowers took place in various buildings.

The fair had its share of winners in various 4-H and open categories, but one local couple found the 4-H’s four-leaf clover symbol to have another meaning. Garth and Amy Havel, Lawrence, were lucky winners of $1,000 from Community National Bank.