Gladbrook Clover Kids 4-H Club member Peyton Faircloth, left, of rural Toledo along with her younger brother Cooper, age 4, snuggle up beside their family’s two-year-old English springer spaniel, Baxter, while seated on the giant Adirondack chair located in the Tama County Master Gardeners’ Fair Play Garden on Tuesday, July 16. Earlier that afternoon, Peyton and Mr. Baxter – who became a first-time dad this summer! – competed in the Clover Kids Pet Show and ‘did amazing,’ according to Peyton’s parents, Joel and Casey Faircloth. In addition to showing Baxter, Peyton also exhibited goats, sheep, and chickens during this year’s fair. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

GLADBROOK – The Tama County Livestock and Fair Association hosted the 2024 Tama County Fair at the fairgrounds in Gladbrook beginning Monday, July 15, through Sunday, July 21. It was another stellar fair week for both 4-Hers and FFA members alike marred by perhaps only the Monday evening weather which included strong storms and wind.

The 2024 theme was ‘Explore the Jungle of Opportunities’ and there were opportunities aplenty for even the youngest of fairgoers to have a good time especially within the perennially-popular footprint of the Fair Play Garden sponsored by the Tama County Master Gardeners which expanded its fantastic offerings even more this year.

Static judging took place Monday with the wild weather pushing the event well into the evening hours in order to accommodate those who could not make their scheduled time due to the conditions.

Weather delays aside, Tama County Extension Youth Coordinator Jenny Hulme had nothing but good things to say when asked for comment following the conclusion of this year’s fair.

“The 2024 Tama County Fair had a hot start but beautiful weather the rest of the week,” Hulme said. “I love to see the creative and well thought out exhibits that the Clover Kids and 4-H members bring to the fair.”

Auctioneer Curt Kaufman of Kaufman Auction Service searches the crowd for the highest bidder on Tuesday, July 16, during the Tama County Fair’s Scholarship Auction as part of the fair’s Opening Ceremony. The auction brought in more than $1,000 for scholarships. Highlights from the 2024 auction included several whimsical farm animal creations made from old tires by members of Buckingham Boosters, Wolfcreek Whirlwinds, Toledo Techs, Toledo Wide Awakes, and Young Guns 4-H clubs as well as the North Tama FFA Chapter. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Hulme continued, “Seeing their faces light up when they visit with the judges and hear what ribbon they earned is another highlight of mine. Hearing the laughter and voices of 4-H youth from all over the county getting together to learn, show and play for an entire week just makes me so proud to be a part of this amazing organization.”

Congratulations to the following individuals who were chosen by the judges to represent Tama County at the 2024 Iowa State Fair with their static project(s):

-Poster Communication: Scout Ridout and Claire Bacon

-Agriculture and Natural Resources: Lilly Bru (two exhibits), Lauren Keller, Ryan Hosek, and Ty Guthrie

-Creative Arts: Ryan Hosek, Alaina Lyon, Amaya Peterson (two exhibits), Michael Henry, Ty Guthrie, Adeline Campbell, and Stella Betts

Madison Whaley, a rising freshman at Elkhorn High School in Omaha, Neb., smiles from behind the Tama County Fair Snack Shack’s customer window on Tuesday, July 16. This was Whaley’s third year helping out her grandparents, Dale and Connie Whaley, at the fair. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

-Family & Consumer Sciences: Savannah Piper, Mason Hosek, Kailiee Keen, Belle Werner, Codi Jackson, and Emilie Claussen

-Personal Development: Ty Guthrie and Michael Henry

-Science, Engineering & Technology: Mason Hosek, Rachael Murty, Wyatt Silhanek, Ryan Hosek, and Emma Siemens

The 2024 Iowa State Fair will take place August 8-18 this year. Static exhibits including those selected from Tama County will be on display for public viewing in the Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Exhibits Building each day.

The 2024 Tama County Fair static award winners selected for the Iowa State Fair. Those pictured include, front row, left to right: 2024 Tama Co. Fair Queen Amaya Peterson, Emilie Claussen, Lilly Bru, Ryan Hosek, Mason Hosek, Ty Guthrie, and Wyatt Silhanek; back row, left to right: Adeline Campbell, Emma Siemans, Rachael Murty, Alaina Lyon, Claire Bacon, Codi Jackson, Scout Ridout, Kailiee Keen, Savannah Piper, and Michael Henry. PHOTO BY JENNY HULME