Stars, Stripes & Fair Delights: Opening Day of 2024 Walworth County Fair
With a patriotic theme of "Stars, Stripes and Fair Delights," the 175th Walworth County Fair welcomed large crowds to the 99-acre Walworth County Fairgrounds in county seat Elkhorn over its 6-day Aug. 28-Sept. 2 run.
One of the oldest and largest county fairs in Wisconsin, the Walworth County Fair dates back to 1849, just a year after Wisconsin's 1848 establishment.
"Aye, Calypso, the places you've been to, the things that you've shown us, the stories you tell..."
From Jimmy Buffett to Bob Marley, from Harry Belafonte and calypso classics to jazz standards, the Milwaukee-based Caribbean Eclipse Steel Drum Band played a wide variety of musical styles as they performed Aug. 28 at the Peggy Park Stage during the 2024 Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn.
"One dollar bid, now two, now two, will ya give me two?"
“One dollar bid, now two, now two, will ya give me two?” In his trademark rhythmic auction chant, veteran auctioneer Gary Finley, of Walworth, presides over fundraising basket and pie auctions at the Aug. 28 Faiirest of the Fair Finals at the 2024 Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn.
'Racing Stripes'
“Z” is for zebra, the ride of choice for three-year-old Emersyn Rabe of Walworth, as she enjoys North American Midway Entertainment’s twirling midway merry-go-round on Aug. 28 at opening day of the 2024 Walworth County Fair.
'Roll out the barrel..."
Chicago musician Jakob Stutz entertains on the accordion as part of The Phenix Band's opening day Oktoberfest-styled German music concert on the Walworth County Fairgrounds' Peggy's Park Stage.
A critical eye
DeForest resident Judy Herlacher closely examines an entry’s visual appeal as she judges bundt cakes in Aug. 28 opening day food competitions at the 2024 Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn. The bundt cakes were judged on multiple criteria including aroma, taste, texture and visual appeal.
All ears
Attending the Walworth County Fair is a longtime tradition for friends Janet Mitchell (left) of Franklin, and Marilyn Allen (right) of Elkhorn, seen here Aug. 28 enjoying ears of roast sweet corn. Mitchell and Allen have been friends since high school as Class of 1965 alumni of Greendale High School.
Bronco busting
Rice’s Pro Rodeo, sponsored by Jack Leiser Painting, was the featured grandstand entertainment act at the Aug. 28 opening day of the 2024 Walworth County Fair at the fairgrounds in county seat Elkhorn, providing thrills and chills for spectators, including the bareback riding action seen here. Based in Medford and a member of the International Professional Rodeo Association, Rice’s is a full service professional bull riding and rodeo company, staging shows in six states.
Corn crib
Two-year-old Daxton Walsh, of Elkhorn, made a fun and creative rainfall of dried corn kernels through his fingers on Aug. 28 as he played in the sandbox-styled “Corn Crib” in the Barnyard Adventure Tent at the 2024 Walworth County Fair.
Dark skies, bright lights
The bright lights of North American Midway Entertainment’s carnival midway colorfully illuminate the Walworth County Fairgrounds in county seat Elkhorn on Wednesday, Aug. 28, opening day of the 2024 Walworth County Fair. Marking its 175th year during its 6-day Aug. 28-Sept. 2 run, the Walworth County Fair is one of the oldest and largest county fairs in Wisconsin. Farmland, Ind.-based North American Midway Entertainment is the world’s largest traveling amusement company, serving more than 15 million fairgoers in 20 U.S. states and 4 Canadian provincesi, including 13 of the top 50 fairs in North America.
Fairest of the Fair
At the Fairest of the Fair Finals at the Walworth County Fairgrounds on Aug. 28, 2024, Elkhorn resident Kloie Potts (center) was named the Walworth County Fair's incoming 2025 Fairest of the Fair. Potts, a junior at UW-Stout majoring in family and consumer sciences education, will succeed sitting 2024 Fairest of the Fair Josie Vance (left), of Elkhorn. Potts will be the 59th Walworth County Fairest of the Fair. Retaining her role as Walworth County Fair Royalty for another year will be Elkhorn resident Leslie Reinke (right).
Junior Swine competition - 3rd Place
Eleven-year-old Sally Polyock, of Zenda in the Town of Linn, competes in the Junior Swine competition on Aug. 28 at the Walworth County Fair, exhibiting her Berkshire hog. Earning third place honors in the competition, Polyock is a member of the Walworth-based Big Foot Pioneers 4-H Club.
People watching
During a lull in business serving up lemonade and corn dogs at his Sharonne’s Concessions mobile food stand on Aug. 28, 12-year proprietor Phillip Laws, of Belvidere, Ill., enjoys a quiet moment people-watching on opening day of the 2024 Walworth County Fair.
Rising star
Independent country music recording artist Lara Bell, of McHenry, Ill., entertained Aug. 28 in the Duesterbeck’s Brew Haus Music Hall on the Walworth County Fairgrounds in county seat Elkhorn, one of many entertainers that headlined the 175th Walworth County Fair during its 6-day Aug. 28-Sept. 2 run.
Service with a smile
It was service with a smile on Aug. 28 at the 175th Walworth County Fair as Elkhorn resident Joe Koloski served up homemade cream puffs at the St. Patrick Catholic Church Knights of Columbus Council 3464 fundraising cream puff and eclair stand at the fairgrounds.
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Farmer Nick
Farm-themed fun for the whole family was led by Farmer Nick in the Barnyard Adventure area at the Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn, featuring Nick's Kids Show and the new Barnyard Adventure Show.
Junior Swine competition - 2nd Place
Eight-year-old Logan Roherty of Darien, a member of the Ridge Prairie 4-H Club, competes in the Junior Swine competition on Aug. 28 at the 175th Walworth County Fair. Seen here exhibiting his Berkshire hog, Roherty earned second place honors.
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Workin' at the cow wash
Fourteen-year-old Natalie Yates of Darien, a member of the Sugar Creek 4-H Club, washes her Simmental cross-bred beef cattle on opening day of the Walworth County Fair on Aug. 28
Many hands make light work
Many hands make light work of early morning cow-washing chores at the Walworth County Fairground in Elkorn on opening day, Aug. 28. Pitching together, from left, are nine-year-old Will Kaver of Delavan, nine-year-old friend Leona Goes of Delavan, and Kaver’s cousin, nine-year-old Charlotte Choyce of Elkhorn. The youngsters are seen washing “Liberty,” a spring Holstein heifer calf from Kaver Farms in Walworth.
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How sweet it is
Katelyn Wagner, of Jackson in Washington County, judges cupcake entries on Aug. 28 at the 2024 Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn. The 175th Walworth County Fair drew more than 18,000 entries in a variety of competition categories ranging from quilts to cows and everthing in between. The cupcakes were judged by Wagner on multiple criteria including aroma, taste, texture and visual appeal.
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Dog obedience competitions
Kylie Hirschy (right) of Eagle in Waukesha County judges 10-year-old Raelynn Koteliszczak of Sharon and her Australian Shepherd, Daffodil “Daffi,” during Aug. 28 Pre-Novice B dog obedience competitions in the Activity Center at the 2024 Walworth County Fair. Koteliszczak is a member of the Ridge Prairie 4-H Club.
Karen Shook entertains at Duesterbeck Brew Haus Music Hall
Illinois soul rocker musician Karen Shook was among the opening day headliners at the 2024 Walworth County Fair on Aug. 28, seen here performing at the Duesterbeck Brew Haus Music Hall at the fairgrounds in Elkhorn. Born on Chicago's south side, Shook's roots are planted in blues and soul and her performances range across a variety of genres from heart-opening original songs to hundreds of feel-good cover songs from Johnny Cash to Bob Marley and Dolly Parton to The Beatles.
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"Farmer Wally Worth"
Walworth County Fair mascot “Farmer Wally Worth” greets opening day Walworth County Fair crowds as he rides on a parade float on the 99-acre Walworth County Fairgrounds in Elkhorn. According to creator Eileen Walsh Grzenia, a Walworth County Fair Board director, Farmer Wally Worth enjoys cultivating fun facts about agriculture and the Fairgrounds, frequently planting and nurturing fair smiles. A busy guy, Farmer Wally Worth loves being a part of the Fairgrounds family.
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Something to crow about
Cassidy Schultz, 18, of Genoa City, holds her Wheaton American rooster, Bert, as she awaits judging at the 2024 Walworth County Fair on Aug. 28. A member of the Flamethrowers 4-H, Wheeler is a Class of 2024 graduate of Badger High School in Lake Geneva. Wheeler is attending the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, studying for a degree in veterinary science.
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Opening day crowd
One of the oldest and largest county fairs in Wisconsin, the Walworth County Fair draws large crowds to the 99-acre Walworth County Fairgrounds in county seat Elkhorn, where fair attendees could choose from a wide variety of food options. Established in 1849, the Walworth County Fair celebrated its 175th anniversary during its 6-day Aug. 28-Sept. 2 run.
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Ribbon-cutting ceremony
Wielding oversized scissors as guest dignitaries look on, veteran longtime Walworth County Fairgrounds employees Rita Jasurda (center left) and Dianne Kegley (center right) prepare to ceremonially cut the red-ribbon opening the 2024 Walworth County Fair at the fairgrounds in county seat Elkhorn on Aug. 28. The 6-day fair, held Aug. 28-Sept. 2, celebrated its landmark 175th anniversary this year.
Stars and stripes
Flag-waving patriotism was on display Aug. 28 at the 175th Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn as Rice’s Pro Rodeo got underway as the evening’s featured grandstand entertainment. Based in Medford and a member of the International Professional Rodeo Association, Rice’s is a full service professional bull riding and rodeo company, staging shows in six states.
Cock-a-doodle-doo
The 175th Walworth County Fair at the Walworth County Fairgrounds in county seat Elkhorn featured more than 18,000 exhibit entries during its 6-day Aug. 28-Sept. 2 run. Entries in fair competitions ran the gamut from quilts to cows, including this crowing rooster displayed in the fairgrounds' poultry barn. The rooster was exhibited by Nolan Edwards of the Sugar Creek 4-H Club.
Barnyard Bin storytime
Among the opening day activities for youngsters at the 175th Walworth County Fair on Aug. 28 was an 11 a.m. storytime in the Barnyard Adventure area's Barnyard Bin, featuring 2024 Fairest of the Fair Josie Vance (left) and 2024 Fair Royalty Leslie Reinke (right).
Farm tractors on display at 2024 Walworth County Fair
With deep agricultural roots dating back 175 years, the Walworth County Agricultural Society's Walworth County Fair in county seat Elkhorn features a variety of agricultural displays, including a tractor show featuring a variety of vintage farm tractors. Pictured here, from left, are a 1953 International Harvester Farmall H owned and restored by Ben Reed of the Big Foot Pioneers 4-H Club, and a 1949 Minneapolis-Moline Zau, owned and restored by Wayne Edwards of Elkhorn.
1947 Massey-Harris 30 tractor
With deep agricultural roots dating back 175 years, the Walworth County Agricultural Society's Walworth County Fair in county seat Elkhorn features a variety of agricultural displays, including a tractor show featuring this vintage 1947 Massey-Harris 30 farm tractor.
Eric Johnson
Reporter
With a patriotic theme of “Stars, Stripes and Fair Delights,” the 175th Walworth County Fair welcomed large crowds to the 99-acre Walworth Cou…
The Walworth County UW-Madison Extension will be hosting its annual Explore 4-H Night on Wednesday, Oct. 9. The open-to-the-public free event will be held from 6-8 p.m. in the Activity Center at the Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St. in Elkhorn.
Walworth County Treasurer Valerie Etzel announced that the sale of county-owned properties will be conducted by Wisconsin Surplus Online Auction Sept. 25-Oct. 9. Properties are located in the towns of Bloomfield, East Troy and Troy and the city of Elkhorn.
A focus on enhancing school safety and security highlighted the agenda of the Big Foot Union High School Board of Education as it met on Sept. 16.
The Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) has announced the October schedule of Memory Café gatherings across Walworth County and at Burlington in western Racine County.
Walworth County is seeking input about its transportation services to better meet community needs. Residents are invited to participate in a brief five-minute survey to provide feedback on the county’s Wal-to-Wal Dial-a-Ride Shared-Ride Taxi and Walworth County Specialized Transportation services.
All 11 Aurora Health Care maternity hospitals in Wisconsin have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report in its annual list of “Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.” The list classifies these hospitals as “high performing,” the highest level of achievement possible.
Walworth County Health and Human Services is pleased to announce a special promotion in January 2025, offering radon test kits for $5 with a non-perishable food item donation. This offer is limited to one test kit per person.
Last week’s flip of the calendar page from December to January marked another milestone passage of time.
Walworth County’s office hours will change to 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, effective Feb. 3. Offices will still be closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
With all 33 precincts reporting, Walworth County Clerk Susi Pike released the final unofficial Spring Primary Election results at 8:43 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
The longstanding legacy of award-winning journalistic excellence in Walworth County continues at the weekly Lake Geneva Regional News, as West End reporter Eric A. Johnson received two first place and two third place awards last Friday in the Wisconsin Newspaper Association (WNAF) 2024 Better Newspaper Contest.
