Fair Garners Mixed Reviews, Plenty of Smiles

At press time, the 2015 Northeast Montana Fair is concluding with a finale in the way of Tuesday's Milk River Motorsports Derby. Carnival workers will then begin breaking down the midway and rides, many of which, by some accounts, were visibly broken down to begin with.

Doris Ozark told the Courier that officials are well-aware of the raised eyebrows regarding rides: "Members of our board have been out there walking around periodically. Carnivals are a hard subject in rural communities. People expect a fair like they see in Great Falls or elsewhere, and that just isn't going to happen here."

Ozark mentioned financial constraints as a contributing factor, emphasizing the fair board's efforts to travel in search of acts, events and service providers that would be willing to consider Glasgow, adding that it often comes down to a question of cost.

"I think people should be grateful for what they have," Ozark concluded.

Attendee reviews of this year's fair have been mixed, but the crowds were all smiles on Sunday, August 2. At the fairgrounds, a youngish crowd milled among vendors, food and drink options, and, more popular still, this year's incarnation of an always-exciting two-night PRCA rodeo event. The fair received an award in 2013 for 50 years as a PRCA participant. Ozark estimated more than 700 people attended on Sunday and more on Monday evening.

Entries for this year's 4-H categories were strong, according to MSU Extension Agent Roubie Younkin. "The fair represents the year's effort in every project area the members are enrolled in," reported Younkin. "The fair is about winning with humility, accepting defeat gracefully, celebrating success, and sharing knowledge gained."

Asked about the 4-H Horse Show on July 25-26, Younkin replied, "The horse show was an opportunity for the members to exhibit their horses in an environment that encourages excellence, but also focuses on learning."

Among the musical performers, Ozark named Cale Moon as a particular hit. "People are stopping me and telling me that Cale Moon is wonderful," she explained. "He did our cowboy church. I think he's wonderful."

On a low note, Ozark confirmed that vendor participation has been down. "It's awful," she said emphatically. "People don't want to spend their time sitting in a fair booth. Not only that, but our community is very mobile. . . . I just think our perspective on the fair is not what it used to be because people are so busy."

The fair's theme is "Amazing," and Ozark confirmed that in many cases it rang true. Ozark confirmed that Miss Rodeo Montana 2015 Hannah Heckman (Great Falls) and Miss Teen Rodeo Montana 2015 contestant Miranda Minnow (Broadus) paid a visit to Valley View Home and managed to get out among visitors to the fair to take in the rides. "That isn't something they usually get to do," Ozark pointed out, adding that the young women were very pleased to have a chance to enjoy aspects often lost to them at larger events: "Miss Rodeo Montana enjoyed it!"  

Anyone interested in lending a hand with cleanup or organizing next year's fair should contact Doris at 228-9843.