Carnival of fun: Mower County Fair under way; Peter Marx named Fair Person of the Year
Published 10:40 am Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Peter Marx smiles after cutting the ribbon to officially kick off the fair during opening ceremonies. –Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
With the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors surrounding him, Fair Person of the Year Peter Marx cut the ribbon and officially kicked off the 2015 Mower County Fair at Fair Square Tuesday evening.
“We’re going to have a great week of weather like this,” fair board President John Mueller said.
The ceremony started with the presentation of the color guard, with Terry Schmidt singing the National Anthem right after. Next was the big event: the announcement of Fair Person of the Year.
Annika Arndorfer reacts as the Super Shot begins its drop on the midway of the Mower County Fair on the fair’s first day Tuesday night.
Marx, from LeRoy, won the honor. He served on the fair board for 10 years, acting as both secretary and vice president. Nowadays, he’s most noticeable at Fair Square and the livestock area. Marx also helps out a lot with the children’s farm area.
“He’s all about the kids,” Mueller said.
Marx was honored to be chosen for the award.
“I think it’s great,” he said. “I didn’t expect it.”
The ceremony was followed by the Pride of Mower County Awards.
Wayne and Dean Sayles were admitted to the Livestock Hall of Fame, Clestine Johnson was named Outstanding Senior Volunteer, Dale and Kim Bissen and family were named Farm Family of the Year, Austin/Mower County Law Enforcement Reverses were named Outstanding Service Organization and Norman Tapp, Alan Tapp and Dan Tapp were named Mower County Conservation Farmers of the Year.
Roger and Mary Gerber, Dale Perau and the Rohne family farm were recognized as Century Farm Owners and Bernice Tara were recognized as a Sesquicentennial Farm owner.
The Mower County Free Fair will run now through Aug. 16.
“Everyone should come on out,” Marx said. “It’s a county celebration.”
