Day One of Central Wisconsin State Fair a Big Success
Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 -- 7:45 AM
(WDLB) -Day one of the Central Wisconsin State Fair in Marshfield was a huge success.Cover band Vic Ferrari wrapped up the first day of the fair with a well-attended grandstand show. Executive Director Dale Christiansen said it was a good ending to a great day at the fair. Temperatures were still in the upper 70's as day turned into night, and the barns and midway were very busy. 11-year-old Gracie Hasenorhl of Auburndale was showing off her prize-winning pig "Frinly", for which she got a blue ribbon, and a purple "Best Showmanship" award. This is Gracie's second year showing pigs at the fair, as part of the Country Kids 4-H Club. The Rozelleville Rockets 4-H took home top honors at the annual "Dress-A-Cow" contest. The team was led by 13-year-old Dylan Bangart and 12-year-old Colby Schwoerer of Edgar.
The group was playing off of this year's theme "Two-Zero-One-Nine...All the Dairy Stars Align". Day One was also highlighted by the debut of the "All Things Wild" White Tiger Discovery exhibit, which had drawn criticism from some local animal-rights activists--and became the target of a petition to try stopping the group from coming. Tiger caretaker Lisa Lopez said the display had a good response.
The fair has set up an area for those who wish to protest the tiger's appearance at the fair, but Christiansen said there weren't any that he was aware of on day one, and had no problems associated with the display. Lopez has traveled with the white tiger exhibit for the past 10 years, covering mostly the central U.S. The display in Marshfield this week features two white Bengal tigers who are siblings.
A handful of concerned citizens spoke out against the tiger display during two separate meetings on the topic last month. In the end, the board which oversees the fair voted to stay with its decision to put the exhibit on during this week's six-day fair.
Today is Senior Citizens Day at the fair, and those 62-and-older get in for five-dollars. It's also Veterans Day, featuring a five-dollar admission for all active or retired military personnel who show a valid military I-D. The Memories are back by popular demand, and perform shows at 2-and-4 p.m. Up-and-coming country singer Jacob Bryant takes the grandstand stage at 7:30.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.