Dodge County Fairgrounds - Beaver Dam, WI

As we look forward to the 2012 Dodge County Fair, and the 125th Anniversary Celebration, it's important to review the value of fairs and benefits to youth exhibitors.  Are the benefits worth the many months of time and energy spent getting ready?           Most people feel county fairs are fun (and they are), but a study done by the Department of Rural Sociology at UW-Madison indicates that fairs do indeed play an educational role.  The study compared the fair to the classroom.  County Board members indicated they thought youth learned a great deal at fairs.  They also said they thought the educational value of five days at the fair was equal to that of five days in the classroom.           The obvious questions still remain:  "What did the exhibitor learn?"  Fair competition provides youth with a chance to develop specific skills such as animal showmanship, ...

The WBEV Radio Park stage will be transformed into a fashion runway as the 4-H style show is presented on Sunday, August 19 at 1:00pm at the Dodge County Fair. But that’s not all! The fun will continue as the Style Show is presented for a second time at the WTKM Stage at 2:15pm. Don’t miss the latest fashion trends constructed and modeled by Dodge County 4-H members. From pajamas to formal attire, these 4-H members really know how to sew! The 4-H members participating in the style show also took part in the Clothing Revue on June 20th. The Style Show is an opportunity for our youth to showcase their talents and for us to thank and encourage them in their sewing projects. Among the youth will be Allison and Emily Schulz, the Dodge County State Fair Clothing Revue delegates. For more information on the Dodge County Fair http://dodgecountyfairgrounds.com

Wouldn’t it be funny to watch your friend, mom, dad, or even a coworker show an animal? Who would you like to see show swine or sheep? Dodge County Fair brings back Spectacular Showmanship once again.   Anyone can nominate a person to show either a sheep or swine for just $5.   This event raises money for the Dodge County Livestock Judging teams.   The money will be used to cover expenses such as registration fees and meals for the participants at various judging events.   Come to see personalities not familiar to the show ring try their hands at showing sheep and swine.   This event will be held Saturday, August 18 th at 2:30 p.m. in the sheep building.   Look for flyers and more information at this year’s Dodge County Fair. For more information on the Dodge County Fair http://dodgecountyfairgrounds.com

Have you ever arrived at the Dodge County Fair Youth Building and thought, “There are so many neat things in here. But what is it all?!” To answer that question, stop by 4-H Promotion Booth in the Youth Building from 1pm-4pm during the Dodge County Fair August 15-19, to pick up your very own Dodge County Fair Scavenger Hunt list. The lists will guide you through the Youth Building Exhibits by giving clues and riddles. Answer the clue or riddle and it will lead you to the next exciting stop on your tour of the fair. Complete the scavenger hunt list and return it to the Youth Building Office to receive a prize! When you’re in the Youth Building, don’t forget to participate in the fun activities at the 4-H Promotion Booth, go fishing for prizes at the 4-H Fish Pond, or check out the Silent Auction items. You can’t go wrong with the Dodge County Fair Scavenger Hunt; you’ll get all of the sights and sounds of the Dodge County Fair and receive a prize too! For more informatio...

A variety of educational displays and special entertainment will be part of the UW-Madison and UW-Extension Day at the Dodge County Fair Aug. 16. Fairgoers will be able to interact with UW-Madison faculty and staff and UW-Extension specialists at hands-on educational displays in and around the youth building from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. "We are coming to the Dodge County Fair to show the broad range of ways we do outreach around the state," says Tricia Dickinson, marketing director for UW-Madison, which is partnering to present the event with UW-Extension. "As fun, cool and exciting as these activities are, we're glad to have the opportunity to share the ways in which the university helps the state," Dickinson adds. Educational programs for communities, businesses, farmers, families and youth are offered through the Dodge County UW-Extension office. These programs are supported by UW-Madison research, connecting people with university resources. These resea...

After 125 years of the Dodge County Fair, the Dodge County Fair Association, along with support from 4H Clubs and the Dodge County 4H Leaders Association, is placing aluminum can and plastic bottle recycling receptacles around the grounds. The blue bins, sponsored by the Fair Association, utilize clear plastic bags to encourage the recycling of aluminum cans and plastic bottles, as well as minimizing any trash placed in the recycling containers. Fair goers are encouraged to save their cans and bottles until they find the proper receptacle, and help our fairgrounds become greener. The recyclables will be collected by the grounds crew throughout the Dodge County Fair, August 15-19; any proceeds from the collected cans and bottles will be put back into fairgrounds improvements. The Dodge County Fair is looking to the future by encouraging recycling, and hopes that fairgoers will make this effort a success for the future of our Fair. For more information on the Dodge County ...