By Tim Schmidt Record Managing Editor From motocross races to bucking bulls to the roaring sound of a tractor pull, the Warren County Fairgrounds was the place to be last week. A Saturday night visit …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
Attention subscribers
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous wesbite, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue
Need an account?
Print and web subscribers
If you're a print and web subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.
Online-only subscribers
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Non-subscribers
Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Fair runs smooth, Fair Board president says
Posted
Organizers pleased with attendance
By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorFrom motocross races to bucking bulls to the roaring sound of a tractor pull, the Warren County Fairgrounds was the place to be last week.A Saturday night visit from local “celebrities” helped steal the show.Two teams representing Warrenton and Wright City competed against one another for braggin’ rights during the greased pig scramble, one of the Fair’s more popular events.The Wright City team, comprised of Mayor Dave Heiliger, Police Chief Matt Eskew, Superintendent David Buck and Doug Rugh, caught two pigs in a quicker amount of time than their counterparts. Warrenton was represented by Mayor Eric Schleuter, Police Chief Greg Houdyshell, Superintendent Jim Chandler and Fire Chief Mike Owenby.Both teams donated their winnings, $500 in all, to Jordan’s Place, a new youth facility slated to open in Warrenton.The pig scramble was one of several events held during the final day of the Fair.Fair Board President Paul Owenby said he heard from some attendees who liked being able to sit at one spot and watch six hours of entertainment Saturday.“I think everything went good,” he remarked. “Saturday night was huge. We had a big crowd for the rodeo and the greased pig scramble and demo derby.”Organizers were pleased to see the five-day event, which opened June 30 and wrapped up July 4, run so smooth,“The big picture is it went over rather well,” Owenby said. “Could it have gone better? Attendance Tuesday and Wednesday are hard draws any way, but we still did rather well. It is a learning experience every year.”The Fair also enjoyed pleasant weather for the most part. A few events, such as BMX and barrel races, were canceled due to wet track conditions. However, weather was not an issue later in the week when some of the more popular events were held.Thursday’s livestock auction had a record-breaking night with $204,256 in gross receipts from the sale of 127 animals. The previous record was $186,196.25 and set last year when 131 animals were sold.“The community really supports the kids and that is huge,” Owenby said. “For the kids to have that much support is wonderful.”Owenby thanked the city of Warrenton for its financial support. The city upped its contribution to $15,000 for the fireworks show and also sponsored The Rough Ryders, a country band that performed Friday night on the main stage.This year also marked the return of the parade, held June 28, to Main Street.“The city support was appreciated,” Owenby said. “The fireworks show was impressive. I thought it was outstanding.”The Fair Board is scheduled to meet Tuesday to review how this year’s event fared. The meeting is 7 p.m. at the fairgrounds. Owenby said members will continue to discuss how to keep making improvements to the fairgrounds and for future Fairs.“We don’t have an endless bank account,” he stated. “We can’t spend $100,000 in an investment deal for a big name entertainer hoping it will draw. You have to limit your expectations of what you can do.”Parade WinnersHere are the parade winners from the June 28 Warren County parade.First place — Fellowship Baptist ChurchSecond place — Rolling Stones 4-H ClubThird place — The Missouri Bank
Bullrider Carson Poe falls off during his attempt at Saturday night's rodeo.
