County fair ?05 sets attendance record
It was another year of growth for the Presque Isle County Fair as attendance figures increased from 1,875 in 2004 to 2,375 this year, with visitors from as far away as Detroit, Ann Arbor, Pellston, and Escanaba. ?The fairgrounds were buzzing with visitors checking out the sights and sounds of the free amusement rides, vendors and exhibits,? said Chris Hoffmeyer, media spokesperson for the fair board. The fair started with animal, handcrafted, and agriculture entries on Wednesday and Thursday. Handcrafted and ag entries were judged and ribbons were awarded on Thursday. Lorene Sorgenfrei won the outstanding senior’s ribbon for her agricultural and handcrafted entries.
Thursday evening brought the first of several fair events ? the 2005 Presque Isle County Fair Queen’s Pageant, which was won by Amber Anderson of Onaway (see separate story), and was attended by a standing-room-only crowd.
FRIDAY, ANIMAL judging was completed and ribbons awarded. Tyler Idalski was awarded grand champion steer; Taylor Watson, grand champion sheep and goat divisions; while Ben Tulgetske won grand champion hogs. Friday evening’s crowd cheered the smashing and crashing of the demolition derby conducted in the new grandstand area. Mike Beaubien of Alpena won the final heat of the evening to capture the first place trophy and cash prizes.
The event was conducted under lights installed just a few days before by a crew from Great Lakes Power of Millersburg. For those who preferred music to engines, the entertainment tent was filled with folks showcasing their karaoke talents. Saturday morning brought a little wet weather, but by afternoon the sun dried out the area quickly. The garden tractor races and heavy horse pulls went on as scheduled and were enjoyed by all. Saturday afternoon’s 4-H livestock auction brought in buyers from around the area with the prized grand champion steer being purchased by Jeff Whitsitt of Millersburg.
SATURDAY EVENING brought the much-anticipated new event: the mud bog races. Fourteen entrants came from local townships as well as Indian River, Cheboygan and Hubbard Lake to race in the mud. ?Crowd attendance beat the fair’s expectations and plans are underway for next year’s races,? said Hoffmeyer. First place trophies went to Leon Davison, full size trucks; Sonny Tulgetske, mid size Jeeps; and Scott Brown, open class modified. Joe Brewbaker handled the announcing.
The fair closed with the drawing of the end of the fair raffle entries and the sought-after New Holland TC 35, which was won by Carol Steiger of Hawks.
George Budnick of Rogers City won $1,000 for second place; Al Haske of Boyne City won $500 for third place, and earning a fourth place cash prize of $250 was Dan Schmalzried of Levering.