By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
“Our objective is the same every year,” says Waseca County Fair Board secretary treasurer Robin Dulas: “To put on the best fair we can.”
Although a lot of “clean-up” work remains, including not only actual cleaning, but also numerous summaries and reports, Dulas says the 15-member fair board has the perception that the 2023 fair went quite well.
Numbers were strong, with an estimated 20,000 or more people having attended the fair overall, and grandstand events having drawn well over 3,000 paid admissions to the bull riding, demolition derby and enduro racing competitions.
One contributing factor, Dulas says, is that, “The weather worked in our favor this year.” Even a major storm front, which moved through the area on Thursday evening, missed Waseca, allowing the bull riding competition and other activities to continue undisturbed.
Dulas, who has been the fair’s secretary treasurer for 10 years, explains that planning and preparing for the annual gathering is a year-long endeavor. Some high-demand suppliers fill their calendars quickly and must be booked a year in advance. As the fair comes closer each year, everything from electrical outlets to rented bleacher seating must be arranged for and put in place.
“It’s impossible to estimate the number of hours that are needed to be sure everything is ready,” Dulas observes.
She says it will take up to 3 weeks to return the fairgrounds to “pre-fair” condition. Board members will also be speaking with fairgoers, vendors, and volunteers to follow up on how satisfied everyone was and whether any changes are suggested.
But right now, Dulas says, expressing gratitude is a high priority.
“Something we want to be sure and do,” she says, “is extend our thanks.”
Dulas congratulates and thanks her fellow board members for their dedication and consistency.
“We also want to thank everyone who made the event possible, which is, well, everyone.
“The people who came, because without them there would be no reason to have a fair.
“The people who volunteered because they helped things run smoothly.
“All our vendors, whose support is so important.
“All our sponsors, who are so positive and so helpful.
“It would be impossible to have a fair without all these folks and their contributions, and we are truly grateful for all of them.”
While most features of the 2023 fair were familiar, two new interactive venues were added. “Just for Laffs,” which was in the shaded area near the free stage, featured two clowns who gave shows, offered a “balloon twisting” course, supervised large-scale games and puzzles, and made balloon sculptures throughout the fair.
Also new was “Rorrring Racing,” a race track with 18-inch-long remote controlled cars guided by full-sized steering wheels used by competitors.
Decisions about shows, interactive events, and hired entertainment are often influenced by information available at the annual Minnesota Conference of County Fairs, held in January. At this convention, groups and businesses share information about their offerings, which helps planners decide what might please their particular audiences.
When it comes to carnival rides, Dulas explains that the fair contracts with the company to have a midway, and the contractor makes decisions about what rides, games, and the like will be offered.
“We do everything we can to make it possible for folks to come out to the fair, spend time with their friends and family, and have fun together,” says Dulas. “That seems to have gone very well for everyone this year.
“Now we’re already working to do it all again next year.”