(Atlantic, Iowa) – The next to last full day of activities at the 2023 Cass County Fair take place Sunday July 30th, here in Atlantic. Activities kick-off as early as 7:30-a.m., with the Swine Show. Antique Tractor Rides are being offered, beginning at 8:30-a.m. Those machines will be on display from Noon until 3-p.m., Sunday. The schedule of events also includes a Poultry Show at 10-a.m., and Decorator’s Showcase in the Community Center, from Noon- until 4-p.m.

The Decorator’s Showcase allows youth to decorate a room with their own individual style. Participants select coordinating textures and colors, the level of formality, or semi-formal looks and then put their selections into a display. Samples from books are used, they cut out pieces they like and designate that samples to be their wall, color, curtains, dresser table, or chair fabric. The samples are labeled and placed in a pop flat arranged completely by the youth.

Each member is allowed one hour for the contest, to complete their display. Senior members will be given a special decorating challenge. The challenge changes every year and is kept secret till the start of the contest, so they are granted an extra 30 minutes put together their exhibit. Intermediate members may select any room and must use a minimum of six samples of designs laid out for them to use during their hour. Junior members are tasked with decorating a bedroom and using a minimum of four different samples.

Local businesses have donated and loaned samples for 4-Hers to use, including wallpaper, paint chips, paneling, carpeting, upholstery fabrics, drapery, and curtain pieces. Awards for the contest will be handed out on Monday, July 31st at 4:00-pm in the Community Center. Be sure to stop by the Community Center to admire the creative handiwork of these young decorators!

The featured meal at the Food Stand on Sunday is a Windsor Chop!.

Here’s the rest of Sunday’s schedule:

1:00 P.M. ……………………………………..Pig Pals Show

2:30 P.M. ……………………………………..Pedal Tractor Pull

3:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M………………….……….Feeder Calf Weigh-in

4:30 P.M………………………………………County Fair Church Service

5:30 P.M………………………………………Cow/Calf Show

6:00 P.M………………………………………Feeder Calf Show

6:30 P.M…………………….…………………Horse Fun Show

7:00 PM……………………………………….Golf Cart Races

A reminder: Carnival Rides are available from Noon until 10-p.m. each day of the fair (through Monday). The Commercial Buildings are open from Noon until 8-p.m. Each day of the Fair, with Bingo on Sunday from 2-until 5-p.m.

The Cass County Fair is FREE. There is no charge for admission, parking, exhibits or Grandstand entertainment! For more information, find a full fair schedule HERE.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors, Thursday, visited the Cass County Fair in Atlantic, to learn more about this week’s schedule of events, what the fair has to offer, and the community’s support.

Liz Denney, Fair Food Stand Superintendent and Fair board member, shared about what her different roles are around the fair, which are a year-long commitment. For 26 years, Denney has had the privilege of working in the 4-H Food stand, and she enjoys every moment of it. With the help of two other assistant superintendents, Mike McDermott and Derek Sanny, she helps out by lining up volunteers to run the food stand and explaining the different required duties. Denney also shared about the different lunch specials that the 4-H Food stand serves such as chicken & noodles on Friday, ham balls or lamb on Saturday, Windsor chops on Sunday, and a roast beef dinner on Monday.

Another important aspect that was shared was how important the community’s support to the food stand is, as it helps continue to keep the Cass County Fair free. The Cass County Fair is the only 100% free county fair in the state of Iowa, which is something that the Fair Board and others involved are proud of. The many contributions and generous support to keep the fair the best that it can be is deeply appreciated, as it also helps continue the great nightly entertainment. The different events that are going on include the daily livestock shows, a bull ride on Friday night, and tractor pull on Saturday night.

(Photo Courtesy Paige Jensen/Atlantic Chamber)

For more information about the Cass County Fair, visit their Facebook page, Cass County Fair – Iowa or call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132. The Fairgrounds are located at 805 W 10th Street in Atlantic.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The 2023 Cass County Fair has a number of activities in-store for Saturday, July 29th, dubbed “Family Fun Day.” A Sheep Show kicks-off the events at 8-a.m. The rest of the schedule shapes up like this:

8:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M…………………….…….4-H/FFA Exhibits Open

10:00 A.M……………………………………..Pet Show

11:00 A.M……………………………………..Meat Goat/Dairy Goat Show

12:00 P.M………………………………………Communication Events

1:00 P.M………………………….……………Youth Water Fights

The Exotic Creatures show take place at 1-, 3- and 5-p.m. Saturday and Sunday

3:00 P.M………………………………………Livestock Judging Contest

6:00 P.M………………….……………………Tractor Pull

The featured meal at the Food Stand, Saturday, is Ham balls or lamb.

The Clover Kids Animal Show at 10-a.m. allows youth to display their knowledge of animal care and handling. The Pet Show will be held at the north entrance of the Cass County Community Center, and includes a wide range of animals, from cats to mice and even llamas.

During Communication events at the Community Center, Saturday, 4-H members have an opportunity to share their knowledge and showcase their public speaking skills, in the areas of: Working Exhibits; Educational Presentations, and Extemporaneous Speaking.

Cass County 4-H and FFA members also have an opportunity to showcase their skills in evaluating livestock during the Livestock Judging Contest, Saturday. Registration will begin at 2:00pm underneath the FFA Food Stand’s awning, and the contest will start at 3:00pm at the Cass County Fairgrounds Outdoor Show Ring. Atlantic FFA advisor Eric Miller serves as superintendent, assisted by Coleen Babe.

Livestock categories judged will include breeding and market beef, breeding and market sheep, breeding and market swine, and breeding and market goats, in addition to knowledge-based questions regarding livestock judging.

Carnival Rides are available from Noon until 10-p.m. each day of the fair (through Monday). There’s mechanical bull riding all-day on Saturday. The Commercial Buildings are open from Noon until 8-p.m. Each day of the Fair, with Bingo on Saturday and Sunday from 2-until 5-p.m.

The Cass County Fair is FREE. There is no charge for admission, parking, exhibits or Grandstand entertainment! For more information, find a full fair schedule HERE.

(Radio Iowa)- A fire in northwest Iowa last night (Thursday) caused major damage at the site of Rembrandt Enterprises, an egg production facility north of Storm Lake. A total of 14 fire departments from four counties, as well as other agencies, responded to the scene near the town of Rembrandt. The first call was received at 6:18 Thursday evening, and the fire was extinguished a little over three hours later.

Fire crews remained on the scene for the next couple of hours dealing with hot spots and debris. Two facilities were completely destroyed, according to the Buena Vista County Emergency Management Coordinator. There were no injuries. The cause of the fire has not been determined.

City of Storm Lake Facebook page

Jim Field visits with 2023 Cass County Fair royalty:  Queen Natalie Behnken, Princess Rio Johnson, King Dylan Comes and Prince Tristan Becker.

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The 2023 Cass County Fair got into full swing on Thursday night with the Little Miss/Mister and Queen and King contests. The event was moved to the outdoor show ring to provide some relief from the hot weather and a large crowd was on hand for the crowning.

10 queen candidates and four king candidates competed for the titles this year. The candidates went through some preliminary judging in both group and individual interviews. Judges also considered their leadership and involvement along with their communication skills. All four king candidates and the top four queen candidates were able to share a bit more about themselves at the event Thursday night and then answer a random question from their peers for final judging.

At the end of the night Natalie Behnken was crowned 2023 Queen and Dylan Comes was crowned 2023 King. Behnken is the daughter of Blaine and Kim Behnken and is a member of the C&M Champions 4-H club and CAM FFA. Comes is the son of Chad and Tresa Comes and is a member of the Atlantic FFA.

The Princess award went to Rio Johnson of the Grove H.O.T. 4-H club and Atlantic FFA. The Prince award went to Tristan Becker of the Union Leaders 4-H club and CAM FFA. Miss Congeniality went to Claire Pellett of the Pymosa 4-H Club and Atlantic FFA. Mr. Congeniality was awarded to Comes.

The Little Miss contest had 17 entrants and the Little Mister contest had 11 entrants. The Little Miss drawing was won by Eve Erickson and the Little Mister drawing winner was Milo Sager.

Watch the full KJANTV broadcast of the event below.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Day two of the 2023 Cass County Fair, Friday, features several scheduled events. The Rabbit Show kick’s things off at 8-a.m., followed by part two of the Horse Show, at 9-a.m. The 4-H & FFA Exhibits will be available for viewing at the Cass County Community Center, from 10-a.m. until 8-p.m., Friday, and a Dog Show is set to begin at 11-a.m.

Friday afternoon, Atlantic Elks Bingo will be held from 2-until 5-p.m., and the Clover Kids Animal Show is at 3:30-p.m. The Building Showcase at the Community Center, is at 5:30-p.m., with Mutton Busting at 6:30, and a Rodeo/Bull Ride at 8-p.m., Friday, concludes the day’s activities.

The Clover Kids Style Show is an exciting addition to the fair, that aims to provide young Clover Kid members with an opportunity to showcase their fashion sense and strut their stuff on the runway alongside their 4-H counterparts. While the Style Show for regular 4-H members has been around for a while, this new addition is meant to encourage more participation from the Clover Kid members and get them more involved in the fairgrounds. This event is open to the public as part of the fair’s Friday Evening Building Showcase on July 28th Starting at 5:30pm.

4-H’ers across Cass County displayed their skills in creating and purchasing outfits for all purposes during the Clothing Selection and Fashion Revue Contest on July 11th at the Cass County Community Center. Participants competed in three divisions: Fashion Revue, New Clothing Selection, and Used Clothing Selection (Thrifty Challenge). Even though the judging took place before the fair, the public will be able to see the results of this hard work during the style show and awards on Friday, July 28th at 5:30 pm during the Friday Evening Showcase in the Community Center at the fair! The style show features outfits sewn and/or purchased by 4-H members. Contest results will be announced following the style show.

Also on Friday, July 28th, the “Share the Fun” contest will take place in the Cass County Community Center at 5:30PM as part of this year’s Friday Evening Building Showcase. Share the Fun entries can be an individual event, small group, large group, or an entire club. Members can do a skit, sing a song, dance or perform other types of entertainment for the pure enjoyment of the audience and judge. Groups will be judged on quality, showmanship, appearance, and FUN!! The public is welcome, and encouraged, to grab a seat in the audience and watch these amazing performers. So come out, have a laugh or two, and support the 4-Hers who have put in many hours of preparation just for you! This year Grove H.O.T. 4-H club has put together a skit to celebrate their 100th birthday. Other acts include a flute duet, piano solo, and more!

The Table Setting Contest is growing in popularity, and Cass County is on its third-year of having the contest, with an increase in the number of entries every year. The contest is a fun way for youth to learn how to properly set a table, plan nutritious meals, and express originality and creativity. Exhibitors choose a theme, present to a judge, express knowledge of food, nutrition and food safety, and have fun in planning a special occasion meal for entertaining. All entries are photographed and will be displayed at the fair for public viewing in the Community Center. Awards will be presented during Friday Evening’s Building Showcase at 5:30-p.m., in the Community Center. Winners will be chosen from each age division (Junior, Intermediate, Senior) and in each category, Casual or Formal. Those winners will have the opportunity to advance to the Regional Table Setting Contest which will be held on Saturday, August 5th at the Cass County Community Building.

Carnival Rides are available from Noon until 10-p.m. each day of the fair (through Monday). There’s mechanical bull riding Friday, from 1-p.m. until the time of the rodeo, and all-day on Saturday. The Cass County Fair is FREE. There is no charge for admission, parking, exhibits or Grandstand entertainment! For more information, find a full fair schedule HERE.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa DNR is reopening the renovated Pikes Peak State Park campground near McGregor today. Northeast Parks supervisor Detra Dettmann says the campground got a complete overhaul. “There’s new roadways in the campground, we’ve eliminated the non-electric sites, we’ve got more pull-through sites, and we’ve upgraded new dump station. We’ve got fewer sites, so they’re more quality sites instead of quantity,” Dettman says. They are now taking reservations for the campground. “This campground will now be 100% reserveable. Before it was 75%, and then that other 25% was for walk up or first come first serve only,” she says. “And now we’ve got the capability for folks to reserve all those in advance or on site.”

We are in the heart of the summer camping season — but she says the Pikes Peak campground is more desired later in the year. “Our busiest time actually at this park is as we get into fall leaf season. And whole the park draws a lot of people just because of the wonderful views of the Mississippi River and beautiful trails, but the campground as well will be packed,” Dettman says.

Pikes Peak State Park. (DNR photo)

She says the re-opening was delayed a bit because they were waiting for the grass to grow in. Dettman says northeast Iowa has seen a lot of variability in the weather this summer. “For example, down in Backbone, which is about an hour south of Pikes Peak, they’ve had pretty good rains. And so they’ve been keeping up with the mowing pretty nonstop. And then at Pikes Peak, at one point I looked at the rainfall map and it just showed like a red spot right in Clayton County right over Pikes Peak where they had been really short,” Dettman says. “But then they got a couple of good doses which really helped jumpstart things. So we’re not quite where we need to be but it’s better than we weren’t early in the summer certainly.”

Dettman says they hope to work out any problems with the new systems at Pikes Peak yet this summer as they prepare for the fall.  “We’re really excited to have it open and this will be the first we can kind of test everything to make sure it’s working. So there may be glitches be patient if there are we’ll work through those as best we can,” she says.

You can make reservations online for Pikes Peak State Park Campground starting at 9 a.m., with the same-day window closing at 11:59 p.m. each day. Reservations will be accepted through the end of November, with the campground closing over the winter from December through February. Go to iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com to reserve your spot.

• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1 3/4 to 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 quarts water
• spaghetti sauce, warmed

Place the potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender.  Drain and mash.

Place 2 cups mashed potatoes in a large bowl (save the remaining mashed potatoes for another use).  Stir in the egg and 1 teaspoon salt.  Gradually beat in flour until blended (dough will be firm and elastic).

Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead 15 times.  Roll into the 1/2″ wide ropes.  Cut ropes into 1″ pieces.  Press down with a lightly floured fork.

In a Dutch oven, bring water and the remaining salt to a boil.  Add gnocchi in small batches; cook for 8-10 minutes or until gnocchi float to the top and are cooked through.  Remove with a slotted spoon.  Serve immediately with spaghetti sauce.

YIELD:  6-8 servings

Jim Field visits with Iowa West Foundation Vice President Matthew Henkes about a grant workshop in Atlantic on August 2 to help those interested in applying for grants from the organization.

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