There will be a “Lot to Do in 2022” at the Stevens County Fair which is the theme for the five day event taking place at the fairgrounds in Morris. Events will kick off Tuesday, August 9 at 5:30 p.m. with a Fair Community meal at the Lee Community Center. The meal is free with the purchase of a button. Buttons can also be purchased at the supper that night.
Four members of the Stevens County Fair Committee met with the Morris Area Chamber last week to explain some of the new and improved parts of the fair. Fair Board Chairman Ryan Sleiter said that the ‘new’ things this year are lots of new sidewalks and paint on many of the barns. They have also made improvements in the former Kiddie Barn which will be occupied by the Morris Gymnastics group and will have tumbling mats for children.
Sleiter also said that Stevens County will have one of the most “high-tech” fairs through the help of Fair Board member Teague Picht and the Morris High School Genius Team. Major events such as all of the 4-H Judgings will now be live streamed and can be watched on Youtube under the Stevens County Fair or through a link on their website.
Fair board member Steve Stock talked about some of the improvements in the entertainment. The rodeo has been upgraded to be part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) system. This will bring top competitors who can earn points toward trips to the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas in December. He added that the board sets the bar high each year and then sets it even higher the following year.
Judy Johnston and Shelly Lemmerman are board members who help with the supper and organize the button sales. This year’s grand prize is a trip to New Orleans and additional prizes have been added. The Pork Producers will be helping with the supper this year. Johnston also stated that next year will be the 150th annual fair so the board is making even bigger plans for this milestone year.
Wednesday will be entry day for open class and food concessions will open. There will be shows on various stages at the fairgrounds throughout the five days. Exhibits in the Lee Center will open that night at 5 p.m. and be open each day after.
Thursday is entry day for Homemakers and also Daycare Day at the Fair. The Carnival will open at 4 p.m. The Wristband special will start at 6 p.m. and go until 10 p.m. In the grandstand there will be a Pickup and Tractor Pull starting at 7 p.m.
There will be more shows and judging on Friday and Saturday. The grandstand entertainment on Friday night is an Enduro Race starting at 6:30 p.m. The Met Lounge Beer Garden will have music by “October Road” starting at 8:30 p.m. The grandstand entertainment for Saturday night is the PRCA Rodeo starting at 7 p.m. and the Met Lounge Beer Garden will feature “Shag” at 8:45 p.m.
Sunday morning there will be a church service at the fair at 10 a.m. Fair entertainment will continue on the various stages. The final event in the grandstand will be the Demo Derby at 6 p.m.
There is no admission charge or parking fees for the fair. Therefore the board does not spend huge amounts of money for big name entertainment. Instead they spread the funds around to get a variety of entertainers. Keeping the fair free is important to the board members.
