2017 GJCF kickoff held at equestrian center


Bill Hansen, left, accepted the Friend of the Fair plaque in honor of his son Brad Hansen who was a long-time supporter of the GJCF. Brad passed away in August 2016. Fair Manager John Harms presented the award. (Photos by Kim Brooks)

Bill Hansen, left, accepted the Friend of the Fair plaque in honor of his son Brad Hansen who was a long-time supporter of the GJCF. Brad passed away in August 2016. Fair Manager John Harms presented the award.

There are 10 area ladies all running for the coveted 2017 GJCF Queen title. From left are Lauren Von Behren, Sophia Stolte, Shay Stephen, Eva Scharff, Libby Moel, 2016 GJCF Queen Cassidy Moore, Mariah James, Taylor Cruise, Alisha Braden, and Breanna Adams. Absent from photo is candidate Elle Boeding.
Hansen, Wolken honored as Friend of fair, HOF
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     With temps in the upper 80s and high humidity last week, it sure felt like fair week here in Jones County. And what better way to be reminded of the Great Jones County Fair than with the annual kickoff event, which was held on June 14.

     This year, the celebration was held at the fair’s new equestrian center, which will be completed in time for the fair.

     Every year during the kickoff, the fair honors contributors and supporters as the Friend of the Fair and Hall of Fame inductee.

     This year’s Friend of the Fair was honored posthumously: Brad Hansen.

     Hansen passed away in August 2016.

     Brad “was one of those guys that was always somewhere,” said GJCF Fair Manager John Harms. “He was a social butterfly and attended about every public function there was to attend.” Harms said Hansen was able to carry on a conversation with anyone, “as he made friends very quickly.”

     Hansen was a huge supporter of both the GJCF and the Wyoming Fair.

     Harms recalled when Hansen departed early from the GJCF last July.

     “This past year he came into the fair office to say goodbye as he left the fair before it was over. He told us he was jumping on his motorcycle and heading west,” offered Harms. “He just loved the open road and his bike. As it turned out, this was the last fair he would attend because he lost his life in an accident in another state.”

     As Hansen’s father, Bill Hansen, came forward to the accept the Friend of the fair plaque, Harms continued, “Brad will be remembered as a man who was always around and always had time for a nice conversation.”

     Bill thanked the fair of the great honor in memory of his son, remarking, “I didn’t realize that he was such a well-liked fella.

     “I appreciate the warm hearts of everybody that showed their love to Brad,” concluded Bill.

     This year’s Hall of Fame recipient is Dr. Richard Wolken, owner of Wolken Dental in Monticello.

     Aside from his main job, Wolken is the GJCF’s production manager, seeing things run smoothly behind the stage before and after the evening concerts.

     “He truly is the only guy on the planet that can drill your teeth in the morning, manage a million dollar concert tour in the afternoon for an evening concert, then go home and sit in the plow till midnight,” Harms said of just how busy Wolken is. The Wolkens also farm south of Monticello.

     Wolken is a lifelong resident of Monticello, and was in 4-H as a youngster.

     “He comes from a long family line of community supporters that have been involved in business, farming operations, professional services, and having a good time all the way through,” said Harms. “All this is quite routine for this former 4-H’er that just wants to work hard, be a positive impact to his community and be the first one to the party, any party, anywhere, any time.”

     With his family in the crowd, Wolken admitted this honor was quite a surprise to him.

     “I didn’t expect this,” he said. “Thanks to all of you who make my job easier. I appreciate it.”

     Marcia Kray, manager of the GJCF Queen Pageant, introduced this year’s 10 candidates in the running for the 2017 GJCF Queen: Breanna Adams, Elle Boeding, Alisha Braden, Taylor Cruise, Mariah James, Libby Moel, Eva Scharff, Shay Stephen, Sophia Stolte, and Lauren Von Behren.

     The Queen Pageant will be held on Sunday, July 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Monticello Eagles Club. The coronation will be held on the fair stage on Tuesday, July 18 during Sneak-A-Peek night, at 6 p.m.

     Kray said this is her 18th year managing the Queen Pageant.

     “2016 was quite a year,” marveled Kray. “We were all blessed to get to know the queen (Cassidy Moore) and her family. She not only became our 2016 GJCF Queen but went on to become the second runner-up at the Iowa State Fair Queen Pageant. She joins a prestigious group of Jones County queens (Michaela Hogan, Kelley Jamison and Ellen Schlarmann) that went on to place and win a title at the Iowa State Fair.”

     Moore also took the stage to thank those who supported her during her reign as 2016 GJCF Queen.

     “I’ve definitely become a better person through this experience,” reflected Moore. “It is definitely something special to be able to call yourself part of the GJCF family. The fair board does so much for the fair and they work so hard and endless hours to help make this fair the way that it is. The GJCF has been something very special and near and dear to my heart.”

     Moore congratulated all of the girls running for the 2017 title.

     “This is not something that everyone can do,” she said.

     There is always something new every summer at the GJCF. Harms highlighted a few changes to be on the lookout for: The Open Horse Show will take place on Monday, July 17, at 4 p.m. The Barbecue Contest on Sunday, July 23 will include a kids’ competition this year. There will be two different wristband opportunities for the carnival rides.

     Last fall, the fair made some improvements to the track area to avoid a muddy mess during concerts following downpours.

     “We tried to ensure not having a situation like we did last year on Saturday night with the late afternoon storm,” said Harms of the storm that hit before the Florida Georgia Line concert.

     Concrete work was poured around the stage area and connected the drainage system that will allow water to flow out versus cover the track.

     Harms said US Cellular invested half a million dollars installing over a dozen micro-cellular towers throughout the fairgrounds. Harms said the intent is to allow everyone to have phone service and data during the busiest times at the fair.

     The GJCF is also a huge opportunity for the numerous 4-H and FFA clubs in the county to show off their projects and livestock they’ve worked so hard to exhibit over the past year.

     Jones County Extension Youth Coordinator Monica Gray offered that there is 420 youth enrolled in 4-H this year. Of that, 103 were involved in Clover Kids, for grades kindergarten through third.

     “It’s awesome to be part of a team that’s so engaged in learning for youth and adults, making sure that we can fulfill the outreach part of Extension & Outreach,” said Gray.

     This year’s fair will be Jennifer Fischer’s first fair as the new Jones County Extension Director.

     “It truly is an honor to be here and be part of this,” said Fischer. “We have a great relationship with the fair board. They are a great partner and it’s a very unique relationship, more so and better than a lot of places across Iowa. It’s quite an honor to serve you in this role.”

     This year’s GJCF runs July 19-23. Visit www.greatjonescountyfair.com for more details.

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