(Atlantic, Iowa) – The 2023 Cass County (IA) Fair begins its week-long run in earnest on Thursday, but some pre-fair activities will be held today, including:

• 4-H/FFA Static Exhibit Judging, and Clover Kids Static Showcase, both beginning at 9-a.m. (those events conclude at 2:30-p.m.)
• 10:30-a.m.: Bucket of Junk Judging will take place.

The Bucket of Junk contest was introduced to the Cass County Fair in 2013 by Superintendent Duane Weirch. With the help of Weirch Welding Plus, LLC in Lewis, this growing contest has been a way for 4-H and FFA members to explore the welding project area and create a unique exhibit for the county fair showcase. Each year, Wierch puts together multiple 5-gallon buckets of assorted metal “junk” pieces. Youth often participate in the contest year after year taking on the new challenge bucket.

The Bucket of Junk contest combines both the technical and creative side of welding, teaching youth a valuable skill and challenging their imaginations in the process. All buckets include the same number of items and are as close to identical as possible. Participants can clean, weld, cut, bolt, fasten, bend, shape, paint or finish the items however they chose to BUT they cannot add any additional pieces. Bolts are the exception and may be used as fasteners but not as decorative items.

Exhibitors will meet with a judge one-on-one to share their finished projects and discuss what they have learned. Contestants will be judged on creativity & artistic style, technical welding skills, percent of “junk” used from bucket, and knowledge of project. Fairgoers can view exhibits from July 27^th to July 31^st and cast their vote for the “people’s choice” award. Winners from judging and people’s choice will be announced at 4:00pm on Monday, July 31^st in the Community Building. Exhibitors have the option to auction off their completed projects at the fair fundraising auction on Monday evening, immediately following the Parade of Champions at 5:45pm in the outdoor show ring.