What's new at the fair?

WCF – Fairgrounds Storm Shelter Program

    This year's addition of the Webster County Fair has added activities that look inside our town and the people that make it so special. All storm shelter actives will spotlight local talent and organizations. These activities are provided free to all fair goers for their enjoyment and pleasure. Activities will begin at 7 p.m. each evening. Make plans to stay a little while or all night in the air conditioned comfort of the Fairgrounds Storm Shelter.

Wednesday

     Wednesday night of the fair will feature Heritage activities. The evening will be kicked off by White Dove of Frontier Theater. The Frontier Theater has been bringing Ozark history to life for many years in our community. White Dove will present an adventure based performance featuring Indian and pioneer stories and activities, with her ventriloquist puppet. Frontier Theater has been a favorite destination for area school children for many years. This performance is a must see for all school children as well as adults.

    Following Frontier Theater’s performance Wednesday night will be Karin Kautz and Stacy Heydt from White River Alpacas. Stacy is a Fiber Art instructor at Ozark Technical College, a renowned international speaker and national judge for fiber spin-off competitions. She offers farm tours and fiber art classes in beginning spinning, weaving on the rigid heddle loom, tapestry weaving, felting, dyeing and working with Alpaca wool. Karin runs the Pacamobile, a mobile education center that is loaded with fun activities for the kids. If you are looking for fun things to do with your kids this summer make tracks to see Karin & Stacy and their Alpaca Pacamobile at the fair. Kids will enjoy Bodacious, a live Alpaca and tons of activities centered around the art of spinning and weaving natural Alpaca fibers.

Thursday

     Thursday night activities will feature local organizations and creative clubs. Thursday evening events will begin with a presentation by Angela Stanley, Connie Newton and Dude Melton. They are members of the Webster County Master Gardeners Association. This group was formed in 2004. They are local residents trained on horticulture topics by the UMC Extension. They volunteer their time to answer questions community members might have concerning lawn care, garden soil, trees, shrubs, flowers and gardens. Their topic for the evening will be "Master Gardner Tips for Growing Healthy Plants."

     Camera Clique of Marshfield will conduct the middle portion of Thursday’s program. They will demonstrate technique's that are used to take great animal pictures. They will help you capture that perfect picture of your favorite pet or farm animal. They will also be announcing a fun, interactive photo contest for the fair. The contest is open to everyone, no prior sign up needed. What is Camera Clique you might ask? Camera Clique is a local photography club that welcomes anyone interested in photography regardless of skill level or camera type.

     What better way to finish your evening at the fair than with Jennifer Farr and Desiree Young. Their potteries, J. Ray Pottery and the Good Shepherd Pottery are located in Marshfield and both offer pottery classes. Good Shepherd Pottery is a member of the Webster County Creative Arts Club. J. Rae Pottery is part of the Marshfield Art Walk. Both have been involved with pottery at Silver Dollar City, Desiree demonstrates the craft in October at Silver Dollar City and Jennifer worked the pottery craft there in the past. Every wonder how those beautiful pieces of pottery were made? Come and see these two skilled craftsman’s at work, you will not be disappointed.

Friday

     Friday's storm shelter activities begin with a look into the world of Culinary Arts. The Marshfield High School Culinary Arts team will be your host. They will demonstrate the technique's they use to prepare award winning dishes. Best of all you get to judge their work by tasting free samples of the dishes they have prepared.

    Next on Friday's agenda will be an old fashioned gospel sing along. Before days of radio and television these served as magnates for people to gather, visit and enjoy their favorite hymns. Your host Don Rost is no stranger to Marshfield or the Webster County Fair. Come join Don celebrate this activity that is very much a part of our heritage and culture.

    The sing along will be followed by a special pie auction to support the Webster County food pantry.  Area churches will be providing award winning pie's for the auction. The Webster County Creative Arts Group has donated a 3 foot square mural for the auction in support of the pantry. Steve Cantrell will be your auctioneer. Come support the food pantry and take home an award winning pie for your enjoyment. Contact Desiree Young for more information on the pie auction at desiree.young@yahoo.com or 417-844-4551.

Saturday

    The final night of the fair is dedicated to the performing arts. The Missouri Association of Fairs Public Speaking contest for youth heads up the Saturday storm shelter program. This contest is open to all FFA and 4-H members in Webster County. The highest placing high school contestant is eligible for state competition. Brenda Leap, Niangua FFA advisor is the fair official in charge. She may be contacted at 417-473-6101 for contest rules and information.

     Storm shelter activities at the fair will conclude with performances by the Marshfield Community Theater. They will be performing songs from their recent play, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. Marshfield Community Theater is a local group that offers community outreach education in the performing arts. The theater group hopes you will come see this display of local talent.