Country music star Gretchen Wilson performs as the headliner for the Ford County Fair’s annual concert at the fairgrounds in Melvin on Friday, June 27. Wilson is known for her hit “Redneck Woman” and her successful album “Here for the Party.” Natalie Barnett/For the Ford County Chronicle
MELVIN — A blistering-hot and humid week in late June was not going to ruin anyone’s fun at the Ford County Fair in Melvin.
Despite temperatures being well into the high 90s and dewpoints in the 60s — weather described by one local weatherman as “make it stop” — the fairgrounds were full last week with exhibitors looking to win a blue ribbon or two and fairgoers enjoying the various carnival rides, food, community exhibits and events.
Teens Olivia Rehg and Mason Vaughan were selling entrance tickets last Wednesday evening. Despite sitting in a converted metal silo turned into a ticket booth, they were taking the sweltering conditions in stride.
“I am sweating through my shorts,” Rehg admitted with a smile. “We are OK, though.”
They pointed behind them, where an ancient window air conditioner was blowing out a little cold air, giving them some relief in the tiny space.
A stroll through the carnival area showed just how resilient area residents could be. The food stands were dishing up fried foods and sausages and doing brisk business with lemonade shake-ups and funnel cakes. The heat did not appear to deter the thrill-seekers waiting for the gravity defying amusement rides, either, as lines of fairgoers snaked around as they patiently waited for their turns on the rides.
This year’s Ford County Fair, which concluded Saturday, included carnival rides (above-left) and a petting zoo (above-right), among other attractions. For more photos, see Section B.
The games of chance were busy, too, as families tried their luck at getting a prize for defeating the tricky balloon pop or floating duck grab. The carnival workers weren’t too fazed by the heat, either.
“We are used to it,” said the carnival owner, who declined to give her name. “It’s usually hot when we are working.”
Nearby, the exhibitors’ hall was sweltering. At a table inside, Ford-Iroqouis 4-H Foundation leader Sarah Seyfert, Youth Development Program Coordinator for Ford and Iroquois Counties Nita Dabble and 4-H Foundation leader Sue Thomas were stoically dealing with the heat. Most of their concern was for the animals at the fair. In addition to keeping the animals cool using fans, 4-H members had been giving lots of water to the animals being exhibited.
Andrew Rosten photos/Ford County Chronicle
“We encourage lots of water for the animals, fans, and lots of tender loving care,” Seyfert said.
Also sitting at a table inside the exhibitors hall were Jeff Orr, chairman of the Ford County Republican Central Committee, and Ted Conkling, the group’s vice chairman.
“We are just sitting, so (the extreme heat is) not too bad,” Orr said.
Noted Conkling: “We aren’t too busy, since we don’t have an election coming up (in November). When there’s an election, we are giving out yard signs and campaign materials. In August, we are going to circulate a petition for candidates (for next March’s primary election).”
At the livestock barns, cattle under the watchful eyes of their owners rested comfortably on straw beds in their stall areas, cooled by huge fans. The livestock show would commence the next day, so there was no pressure that Wednesday evening to be the star of the show just yet, with plenty of time to leisurely munch hay and take a nap. Extreme weather conditions are something livestock owners deal with all year long. In the case of the heat, if the animals get too hot, the owners take them to a nearby washstand and hose them off, sometimes multiple times a day, said an exhibitor there from Lexington.
Seated at a table inside the exhibitors hall at the Ford County fairgrounds in Melvin on Wednesday, June 25, are Jeff Orr, left, chairman of the Ford County Republican Central Committee, and Ted Conkling, the organization’s vice chairman. Mindy Basi/Ford County Chronicle
First responders from the Roberts-Melvin Fire Protection District were on hand at the firgrounds to help with any emergencies that might arise, while also selling tickets for a firearms raffle that is raising funds for the fire department.
“There have been zero incidents,” one said.