Royalty at the fair Mrs. Minnesota International (Susie Overvold) will be at the Motley Fair Sunday, June 26, at 1 p.m. She will speak on Juvenile Diabetes. The Motley Fair, known as the longest running fair in Morrison County, is celebrating its Centennial this year with a lot of old favorite activities; and a few new ones, too.

It runs Thursday, June 24 - Sunday, June 27; and offers something for every age group, says Rhonda Amundson, Motley Fairboard President.

“We’re really excited about everything,” Amundson said at a recent work day at the fairgrounds. “This fair just keeps getting better and better. We’ve even got a brand new flag pole. It just took us 100 years to get it,” she laughed.

Fair-goers can look forward to their favorite fair foods; a visit from “Mrs. Minnesota International 2010;” music entertainment; and a special recognition of the Cantleberry Century Farm in Motley.

Getting ready for the fair Students from a civics class at Pillager School helped Motley Fairboard members clean and paint bathrooms at the fairgrounds June 5, in preparation for the upcoming Motley Fair, which runs June 24 - 27. Pictured from left are Ellen Swartz, Rhonda Amundson (Motley Fairboard President), Megan Paschke, Rebecca Swartz and Dawn Swartz. Other work included mowing grass and planting flowers by some of the buildings. (Staples World photo by Dawn Timbs) The list of events, contests and activities (outlined in the Premium Book available at local businesses) is extensive; and many of these take place throughout the entire fair.

o Fair-goers can look forward to the 4-H display areas, as well as judging of horses, livestock, crafts, flowers and farm crops.

o The midway area once again features Cody Rides Carnival from Prior Lake. It will open on Friday, from 3 - 11:30 p.m.; Saturday, noon - 11:30 p.m.; and Sunday, noon - 6 p.m.

New flagpole “It only took 100 years, but we finally have a flagpole at the fairgrounds,” said Motley Fairboard President Rhonda Amundson at a recent workday at the fairgrounds. Pictured above, by the new flagpole, are (from left) fairboard members Amundson, Chad Haugen and Rita Esterl. (Staples World photo by Dawn Timbs) “They really do a great job; and we appreciate that they are family-oriented and bring along all of their own employees,” Amundson said.

o Pony rides will be available for the children; and Greg Wegscheid, Staples, will offer horse-drawn carriage rides throughout the weekend.

o The Leader Lions Eatery will open Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m.; and on Sunday, at noon. In addition to their usual menu, this year the Leader Lions will offer “Beef Sundays” on Saturday.

Friday

o An Open Horse Show is scheduled for Friday night, at 6 p.m. Three age groups are represented, with ribbons given to first - third place winners in each.

o Local band “Age of Aquarius” will provide live music under the shelter Friday, from 7:30 - 11:30 p.m.

Saturday

o Saturday is “Kids Day.” From 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., kids ages five - 12 can build a birdhouse or toolbox for free. This event is hosted by the Boy Scouts of Motley; and all materials are donated by Paskewitz Millwork of Browerville.

Other Kids Day events include games and facepainting, hosted by Girls Scouts of Motley and Staples area, beginning at 11:30 a.m.; and Kiddie Train Rides from noon - 2 p.m.

o There will be only one demo derby this year, Amundson said. “We’re having it on Saturday night, with hopes that more contestants can be a part of it. We’d rather have one really big event, than two smaller ones.” The demo derby begins at 7 p.m.

o Back by popular demand is the Falconry Demonstration by Curt Ruthenbeck of Prior Lake. It will

be held Saturday, at 2 p.m.,

in the commercial building. “I’ll bet I stood there and

watched for over an hour last year. It was amazing,” Amundson said.

Also back this year is The Amazing Roberto Magic Show, which will be held Saturday, at 2:30 p.m., under the shelter.

o Mrs. Minnesota International 2010, Susie Overvold, will be at the fair Saturday, June 26. She will be speaking about Juvenile Diabetes at 1 p.m. under

the shelter. Overvold will

be taking her platform, “The Path to a Cure,” across

the state this year and will be competing this July in Chicago for the title of Mrs. International.

“Everyone loves a princess; and she is here on behalf of such an important cause. I think people will want to meet her,” said fairboard secretary Rita Esterl.

o A Classic Car Show will take place Saturday, from 2 - 5 p.m. Prize will be awarded for ‘Best of Show.’

o Harvest Moon Karaoke and DJ from Staples will provide music at the

fairgrounds Saturday, 7:30 - 11:30 p.m.

Sunday

o Sunday is “Senior Citizen Day.” Free cookies and coffee under the shelter from noon - 4 p.m.; and a Cribbage Tournament (all ages welcome) will be held from noon - 2 p.m. Hosted by the Motley Fair Board.

o A Century Farm Recognition will take place Sunday, at 3 p.m., in honor of the Paul Cantleberry farm in Motley.

o A ‘Bike Give-Away on the Midway’ will be held Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by Cody Rides Carnival and benefits the Motley Area Food Shelf. To have your name entered in the drawing, bring a non-perishable food item to the Exhibit Building.

o Beginning at 2:30 p.m., folks can look forward to old time music featuring Joe Carlson of Sauk Centre.

o “Also new this year is an Open Dog Show on Sunday,” said Esterl. The event will be held from 12 - 3 p.m. in the grandstand. No admission charged.

o A Car Enduro Race (with prizes given to first, second and third place winners) will be held Sunday, at 4 p.m. at the grandstand.

o A Grist Mill (featuring a 1879 model mill) will be on display Sunday, from

noon - 3 p.m.

o The second annual “Farmers Olympics,” hosted

by the Staples Motley FFA, will be held Sunday, at 3 p.m. The free event will include the Cow Chip Toss, Hay Bale Toss, Wheelbarrow Race and Tire Pull. All ages and all “farmers” welcome.

A complete list of events, rules and times are listed in the Premium Book. Premium books are available by calling 612-269-3172 or e-mailing Rita at resterl@ yahoo.com.