Dodge County Fairgrounds - Beaver Dam, WI

      Preserving the intricate crafts of a bygone era will be the theme for the Fourteenth Annual Old Time Gathering, at Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam on Saturday, September 22 from 9am-4pm.  The event is free to the public.       Scheduled events will include Folklore Village dancers at noon and 2:30 pm.  Swinging Beaver's Square dancers will perform at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, and 1:00 pm.  The Fiddle Magic Players as well as Blue Grass Music will be on the grounds.  An Antique Purse Presentation by Darlyn Pfeiffer will be at 2pm. Everyone is welcome to join in and participate.       Throughout the day there will be demonstrations, hands-on opportunities and old time crafts.  The exhibits found in the Youth Building will include: spinning, weaving, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, braided rugs, wool hooking, quilting, stitchery, stencil painting, herbs an...

For a healthy experience, the importance of proper hand washing at this year's county fair can't be overstated, says Pattie Carroll, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Dodge County. Although one-on-one contact with farm animals serves as a rewarding and educational experience, precautions should be taken to reduce health risks such as E. coli O157:H7 that are sometimes associated with direct animal contact. "Children love to touch animals, but they often don't wash their hands properly afterwards. Rather than discourage families from enjoying traditional activities such as visits to fairs and petting zoos, we want them to be safe," Carroll says. Based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), visitors to county fairs should take simple steps such as washing their hands after touching animals or spending time in areas where animals are housed or exhibited. The following recommendations will help to minimize potentia...