Work Hard, Play Hard: A Feral Fair Child's Guide to the Adams County Fair

Hello, friends!

Let’s talk about the Adams County Fair starting on July 29th running through August 4th.

This fair is in my blood — generations of my family have brought their dairy cattle here, and I proudly exhibited Holsteins for 28 years myself. So trust me when I say: here's how to do the Adams County Fair right!

1.) Visit the Mississippi Valley Holstein Club's stand—the Milkshake Stand!

Disclaimer: it’s a cup of soft-serve ice cream, but give it about 3 minutes and you'll have a perfect shake.

Full transparency: I've served as chairman of this stand for almost twenty years now. My grandpa helped start this club, and I'm proud to call its members my second family.

2.) Stroll down to the dairy barn and visit our friends at Morning Star Farms

The Weimans (like the other dairy families) are a true example of how a family comes together to “do it all” during fair time. Gary is always willing to let someone meet his cows.

3.) Check out the other livestock exhibitors at the beef, sheep, swine, and rabbit barns!!

Livestock exhibitors work very hard, and the fair would not exist without these exhibitors. There is an unmatched sense of camaraderie at each barn.

4.) You may be getting slightly thirsty at this point, so stop by Graham's Lemonade, Inc. / Food Cart for the best lemonade shake up!!

They are SO GOOD!

5.) When hunger strikes, head around the corner for great eats at the Lions’ Club stand or the “Church Stand” (Mendon Congregational Church), or so many of the other excellent food choices.

The Pizza Wagon has been a great addition to our selection of food this year!!

6.) As the food settles, stroll through the Quonset building and visit some of the people who make our fair possible each year through their partnerships and sponsorships.

Although Boki’s Kitchen won’t have a booth this year, we’ll still visit our favorites– especially the Adams County Farm Bureau! Be sure to enter their raffle to support the Adams County Farm Bureau Foundation.

7.) More exhibits await in the 4-H and Domestic Arts buildings!

So many hours have been spent creating this variety of entries!! It’s fun to see if I know any of the top 3 winners in each category. Then, when I see them walking the fairgrounds, I can be sure to congratulate them on a job well done!

8.) The Family Fun Zone is another great stop!

It’s fun to see the different animals you didn’t see in the livestock barns. When your food settles, the carnival is across the way! Take a pic at the top of the Ferris Wheel! 🎡

While you are on that side of the fairgrounds, get your hands on some Muegge Kettle Corn— it’s the best kettle corn around!

9.) Head on back down to the show barn or the horse arena and see if you can catch a show!

Seeing passionate people in the show ring keeps me coming back year after year. They work so hard all year, and the fair—especially show day— feels like a celebration.

10.) … Okay, the list wasn’t meant to be so long, and there’s still so many things that haven’t made this list!

The Adams County Fair is a part of who I am.

Whether you’re an exhibitor, a visitor, or a member of the board, YOU make this possible for the next person and generations to come.

There’s nothing like being a feral fair child, and I wish more children got the opportunity to work hard and play hard at the county fair. Today, I am proud to have a business that sponsors the fair and the ability to volunteer countless hours to a community much bigger than myself– all in the name of hard work and fun!

Mention to me at the fair that you read this blog post, and I’ll give you a coupon for a free milkshake– compliments of Boki’s Kitchen! Together, we do this, and that’s pretty awesome. Let’s make this the best fair yet! 🤠

See you at the Adams County Fair!