By Jason Arndt
Editor
Hanna Henningfeld, of Waterford FFA, can’t wait to see her family come to the Racine County Fair and show support while she exhibits animals in the show ring.
Also a member of Cloverview 4-H, Henningfeld plans to showcase beef and swine. She said the fair serves as the culmination of her dedication in working with her animals for a year.
“The most fun part is getting to see my family watch me and having their support,” Henningfeld, 16, said as he began setting her up swine booth Tuesday morning. “Year-round, it can be hard to have that motivation, but seeing their eyes on me in that ring, and knowing that they are there for me just makes it worth all the hard work.”
Henningfeld was one of the early arrivals to the 2024 Racine County Fair, carrying the theme “Stars, Stripes, and Summer Nights,” which began on Wednesday and runs through Sunday.
She said she has always enjoyed the overwhelming enthusiasm of the annual event.
“I am excited for the environment with everyone supporting everyone and having that positive energy,” Henningfeld said.
She’s just one of more than 1,000 exhibitors who have submitted projects to the Racine County Fair, according to 2024 Fairest of the Fair Jennifer Hinkel.
Hinkel, who entered some open class projects, said the Racine County Fair features more than 15,000 exhibits.
“Everyone who enters a project into the fair is passionate,” Hinkel said. “They are passionate about entering something, they are passionate about being here and showing what they worked really hard on.”
“This is the highlight of the year. It is super cool to bring your family into a building and say, ‘This is what I entered and the award I got,’” she added.
Henningfeld, like many other exhibitors, will auction off her animals on Saturday when the large animal show is held followed by a small animal sale the next day.
According to Hinkel, the auction brings in a total of about $1 million annually, with proceeds directly benefiting exhibitors.
“We have an incredible community around Racine County that comes to support our youth here at the fair,” Hinkel said. “All of the proceeds go back to the exhibitors, so a good majority of these, this is how they finance their college education.”
She said proceeds also help exhibitors fund projects for next year’s fair.
Countless activities scheduled
The Racine County Fair, in addition to animal exhibits and other projects, also features a variety of food, live entertainment, carnival rides, grandstand acts, and interactive activities for children.
“There are too many things to count,” Hinkel said. “We have five nights of amazing grandstand acts.”
Grandstand acts include truck and tractor pulls, monster trucks, a demolition derby, and an expanded rodeo show scheduled for Saturday.
The rodeo show, which will make its second appearance, only had bull riding during its first exhibition in 2023.
“Last year’s stands were packed, and I think this year will be no different,” Hinkel said.
The rodeo show serves as an example of the Racine County Agricultural Society’s effort to keep people coming back, Hinkel said.
The Society, a volunteer board, oversees the Racine County Fair.
“There is always work to be done and there are so many volunteers who are incredibly passionate about putting together this event,” Hinkel said. “We are always trying to keep things fresh, new and exciting.”
Fairest bucket list
Hinkel, who grew up around the Racine County Fair, said she has a list of goals for the 2024 event.
Her bucket list includes visiting every livestock show, trying food staples, such as cream puffs, cheese curds, and products from the dairy promotion booth, and playing witness to several grandstand activities.
Hinkel strongly encourages all fairgoers to visit every building at the Racine County Fair, including the Mercantile, which contains historical artifacts.
She also encourages visitors stop by the Expo building, which focuses on commercial vendors, including some that have Racine County ties, Hinkel said.
“Check out all of the buildings that we have here,” Hinkel said.
The Racine County Fair also has a full slate of live music scheduled for two locations – the center stage beer garden and activity building – every day, Hinkel said.
Henningfeld was asked if she has a bucket list for the event. She said she typically comes up with an itinerary on the first day of the Racine County Fair.
“I usually try as many foods as I can,” she said. “Every year, I try to hit up almost everything. Usually on the first day, I walk around and see what I can do and then go from there.”
-
-
-
-
-