Living the Dream in 2012

• Photo exhibit

Photo exhibit
• Merry go round

Merry go round

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• Photo Gallery: 2012 Carlton County Fair

Despite spitting rain and wind on Thursday and a series of downpours on Saturday afternoon, some 23,000 enthusiastic fairgoers flooded through the gates of the Carlton County Fair last weekend. Fair Director Allysha Sample said while attendance was down somewhat from previous years, those who attended this year’s fair seemed to be “very happy and in a great mood” and the overall feedback was very positive about the changes at this year’s event.

Surprisingly enough, Sample said, one of the biggest draws at this year’s fair was the collection of large photos posted in the fair office of the flooded fairgrounds following the deluge of June 20.

“I had never seen a lake on the fairgrounds before,” said Sample, “but looking out my office window was like being at the cabin on the lake. It was beautiful, but just not right.”

Remarkably, all of the flood damage was remediated in time to prepare for and put on this year’s fair.

Among other top attractions at this year’ fair, according to Sample, were the new soda shop in the General Store, complete with tables and chairs for visitors; the revival of a four-team draft horse exhibition; and the grandstand shows, with attendance up at all of them, especially the horse races.

While participation in the dairy and sheep exhibits was down somewhat this year, the number of exhibitors in the hobby craft and needlework and art and photo divisions was up.

Selected as “Carlton County Outstanding Senior Citizens” at this year’s fair were Lois Jobe of Wright and Ed Raisenen of Cromwell. The Farm Family of the Year was the family of Richard and Corina Newman of Barnum, and the family farm of Harry Kaspszak of Kettle River was honored as a Century Farm.

“Other than the rain those couple of days, the rest of the weather was absolutely perfect,” said Sample. “We got a lot of compliments on how nice and clean our fair is, and we really appreciate all of the hard work that went into it.”

Tags: carlton county, fair