The Pierce County Fair is known for it’s plethora of 4-H and Open Class exhibits, all of which would not happen without the volunteer superintendents who head each department.

This year, Pierce County is welcoming several new superintendents who were asked by the Journal to fill out a questionnaire. The responses of those who could be reached are listed below:

Bailey Sherwin – Sheep

Town/village/city of residence: Maiden Rock

How long have you lived in Pierce County? 33 years 

Why did you become a fair supervisor? Followed in my mother’s footsteps

What is your favorite fair food? Deep fried cheese curds

What is your favorite fair memory? Watching my daughters perform 

Hobbies/interests: Hunting, outdoors, showing sheep, spending time with kids

Were you or your kids involved in 4-H or are they currently involved? I have been a part of it since I was 8 years old

Jeff Meyer – Beef

Town/village/city of residence: St. Croix County 

How long have you lived in Pierce County? Doesn’t live here

Why did you become a fair supervisor? Kids have been a part of the fair and I wanted to give back to the community and do my part 

What is your favorite fair food? Roast beef and mashed potatoes

What is your favorite fair memory? Watching my daughter get champion steer 

Hobbies/interests: Involved in shooting sports / collecting and restoring tractors 

Were you or your kids involved in 4-H or are they currently? Were previously but not anymore

Zach Hines – Animal & Veterinary Science: Tractor

Town/village/city of residence: Beldenville

How long have you lived in Pierce County? 26 years / whole life

Why did you become a fair supervisor? I grew up in 4-H and FFA programs which got me into it. I wanted to give back to the community.

What is your favorite fair food? I don’t have one

What is your favorite fair memory? Four of my friends showing pigs at the same time in the ring

Hobbies/interests: Hunt, fish, outdoors

Tyler Hines -Tractor

Town/village/city of residence: Ellsworth

How long have you lived in Pierce County? 24 years

Why did you become a fair supervisor? I was in 4-H growing up so I wanted to give back to the community and also still be a part of it in a way

What is your favorite fair food? Funnel cakes

What is your favorite fair memory? Won reserve grand champion overall in a swine show

Hobbies/interests: Hunting, fishing, watching sports

Were you or your kids involved in 4-H or are they currently? I was involved in it, no kids

Jason Cebulla - Shooting Sports

Town/village/city of residence: St. Croix County

How long have you lived in Pierce County? Live in St. Croix

Why did you become a fair supervisor? Was told to do so

What is your favorite fair food? Cheese curds 

What is your favorite fair memory? 4-H experience 

Hobbies/interests: Hunting

Were you or your kids involved in 4-H or are they currently? Kids have been in 4-h previously

Paula Knutson - Cultural Arts & Booths & School Exhibits

Town/village/city of residence: Beldenville

How long have you lived in Pierce County? 50 years

Why did you become a fair supervisor? Involved in 4-H throughout life, had kids in it too

What is your favorite fair food? Chicken tenders from the 4-H Food Stand

What is your favorite fair memory? Seeing her kids’ excitement when they win prizes or ribbons

Hobbies/interests: Researching genealogy

Were you or your kids involved in 4-H or are they currently? I led the Martell Rushers 4-H Club and my two kids were in 4-H

Tanya & Richard Franta - Open Class Flowers and Houseplants

Town/village/city of residence: River Falls

How long have you lived in Pierce County? 37 years / whole life

Why did you become a fair supervisor? Growing up Richard’s mom was a fair superintendent so he thought it’d be cool to do. They both wanted to give back to the community and the fair

What is your favorite fair food? 4-H food stand malts

What is your favorite fair memory? Got engaged at the fair

Hobbies/interests: Creates and makes things like ornaments and other things to sell at the fair

Were you or your kids involved in 4-H or are they currently? Not involved yet because they’re too young

Others:

• Madelynne Paquet - Exotic Domestic Animal (Llama & Alpaca) 
• Krista Klecker - Flowers and Houseplants
• Lori Woltman - Cultural Arts
• Shelby Brunner - Home Furnishings and Quilting

Responsibilities

Here is a list of responsibilities completed by superintendents to ensure a smooth, seamless fair experience for exhibitors:

Exhibit check-in

• Before the fair, check over your display area and assist with preparing the area for public display.
• Assist in putting up cards used to locate the display areas for each class.
• On Entry Day, be available to assist exhibitors in checking in their exhibits with the barcode scanner and placing their entries in the designated area.
• Prior to judging, check exhibits carefully to verify that they have been placed in the proper area according to Department, Class & Lot. This reduces confusion and chance of missed exhibits at time of judging.

Judging

• On the day of judging, make plans to check in at the Fair Office well before judging is scheduled to begin so any last-minute details can be explained to you, and so we may answer any questions you may have.
• Meet your judge at the fair office, take them to your judging station, and make them feel welcome!
• Review the barcode judge’s sheets to identify checked in items versus no show items.
• Check entry tags to be sure they correspond with the entries on the judge’s sheet.
• Make sure you have available ribbons, pencils, pens, writing pads and any awards that will be given on the day of judging. The Fair Secretary will assist you.
• Make sure you have available a Danish Judging sheet. Be familiar with both the Regular and Danish Judging system.
• With the help of your assistants for the department, bring the articles in each class to the judging table. In the case of animal classes, announce the class to be judged next, allowing the exhibitor time to have his/her animal ready when their class begins.
• Inform the judge of the number of entries in each class and the correct number of placing’s under the Danish System.
• DO NOT discuss entries with the judge, but answer questions that the judge asks about each class. The superintendent is not the judge.
• Assist with placing ribbons, writing the judge’s comments, and recording the placing’s on the Judge’s Sheets.
• Assist your helpers in using the barcode scanner to record the results for each exhibit.
• Be sure the judge is comfortable. There is water available for the judges in the Fair Office.
• Never change the judge’s sheet or the results in the software program without the judge being present. If errors or changes are made on the judging sheets, have the judge initial the change.
• When all the classes and lots are judged, be sure to see that the judge selects all the awards for your department. Refer to the Awards Sheets and Criteria for Award Selection sheet for more information specific to your department. Be sure to mark the judge’s award decisions and selections on the appropriate Awards sheet and attach the merit ribbons and/or State Fair selection tags to the exhibits.
• Once the judging is completed, escort the judge to the Fair Office to sign the affidavit and to be paid for the day’s judging. This affidavit is important because State Aid will not be paid on judging sheets not accompanied by a signed affidavit.
• Check the judging sheets in with the Fair Secretary. Make note of any unusual entries or situations that may need the Fair Secretary’s attention.

Exhibit display

• After judging, see that all entries are neatly arranged in the appropriate display area.
• Make sure you can see all the exhibits and they are safe.
• Place delicate exhibits far from reach of small or curious Fairgoers.
• Treat all the exhibits with respect. Remember these are youth’s hard work exhibited.

Complete Superintendent’s Survey

• Make note of and put in writing any suggestions or ideas for improving the placing of entries, the judging procedure, the recording of placing’s and release of entries (anything that will make the process more efficient) on the Superintendent’s Survey. Give this to the Extension Staff in the Fair Office.

Exhibit release

• Supervise the release of entries.
• Be sure that exhibits are released to their proper owner/exhibitor.
• No entries should be released before 4:30 p.m. on Sunday without prior permission.