Event scheduled for Aug. 23-27 in Weyauwega
By James Card
Inside city hall on the first floor there is a glass display case with memorabilia and artifacts of the Waupaca County Fair.
The Weyauwega Area Historical Society assembled the display. It contains black-and-white photographs, news clippings, blue ribbons and pamphlets.
This year the Waupaca County Fair will celebrate its 150 anniversary from Wednesday through Sunday, Aug. 23-27.
The first fair was held in 1873. In 1926, a headline on the Weyauwega Chronicle proclaimed: “Greatest fair in history opens today – Races off, due to rain.”
The article starts off: “This week the fair gates swing open, and the mad rush will be on for a week. And what does that all mean? It means that this one week of the fifty-two each year is set aside in this community as a week of research, education and amusement to be entered into by people from every walk of life.”
Celebrate, compete
The Waupaca County Fair is hosting a contest to celebrate the sesquicentennial milestone. It is open to youth groups, businesses and all community members.
The goal is to create promotional artwork celebrating the 150-year history. This could take the form of a window painting, yard art, yard signs or a billboard using whatever mediums. The promotional art should be completed by July 31 and judging will take place the first week of August.
The display must include the words “Waupaca County Fair” and the date of the fair (Aug. 23-27, 2023). The art should depict a positive image of the fair and it should be weatherproof.
For those thinking big, Torborgs Lumber has agreed to provide one free 4-foot by 8-foot sheet of plywood to each participating organizations. Plywood pick-up date is from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 15, at Torborgs Lumber locations in Clintonville and Waupaca.
Two photos of the entries should be sent by Monday, July 31 to Hannah Whipple at [email protected]. One photo should be of the display and another of all the people involved in making it.
Winners for the youth group category will receive an ice cream party at one of their club or chapter meetings. Other prizes may be arranged depending on 2023 sponsorships. Winners for the community members/businesses category will receive a four-pack of tickets to the Waupaca County Fair
Entertainment
Rich Luedke is the mayor of Weyauwega and he’s also the Waupaca County Fair’s longtime manager.
This year he has a line-up of events that range from tribute shows, truck and tractor pulls, rodeo, motorsports, an Elvis impersonator, country music, hip-hop, rock and roll, fireworks, a demolition derby and a battle royale of micro wrestlers. Visit www.waupacacountyfair.com for times and more information.