2020 GJCF highlights 4-H, FFA youth


Brothers Elijah and Colin Schlemme of Cascade take part in the Junior Showmanship portion of the Swine Show, July 23, at the GJCF. Colin ended winning two ribbons and champion and reserve champion in the Purchased Market Gilt division. The GJCF looked a little different this year with the public prohibited from attending the livestock shows. This was done in an effort to protect the health and well being of those associated with 4-H, FFA, the fair, and Extension. (Photo by Kim Brooks)
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     The 168th Annual Great Jones County will go down in the record books, according to General Manager John Harms, as a unique year in the history of the fair.

     Despite having a modified fair due to COVID-19 that only showcased the 4-H and FFA youth and their livestock and F.A.S.T. exhibits, Harms said they achieved exactly what they set out to do.

     “I think, all in all, we completed what we wanted to, and the need for people to salvage what they could with the fair,” Harms continued.

     The GJCF made the announcement regarding having a modified fair just after Memorial Day. Undoubtedly, people saw this change coming, knowing so many events across Iowa and across the country were rescheduling or just plain cancelling. However, Harms said the one resounding request was to see the fair do something for the youth who work so hard leading up to the fair.

     “This was something we (the Fair Board and Jones County Extension) planned from the get-go,” Harms said. “We never talked about cancelling the fair, but having a modified fair.”

     He said the nine days allowed everyone to exhibit their livestock, animals, and projects, “satisfying a hole the virus left us with.”

     Harms credits Extension Director Jennifer Fischer and her staff and volunteers for making this all happen, despite a challenging situation.

     “I can’t underscore enough their dedication,” he praised. “They truly are rock stars.”

     He said it took a lot of effort and creativity to pull off this year’s nine-day fair, starting with the open shows and ending with the Horse Show.

     “Fairs had to evolve up and down the state, the Midwest, and the country,” Harms noted. “The entrepreneurial spirit generated so many great thing.”

     One of those great ideas at this year’s GJCF was to live stream all of the 4-H/FFA shows. Abby Jaeger provided the service for those who were not allowed to watch the shows at the fairgrounds. Harms anticipates expanding on this service for future Jones County fairs.

     “We want to do more things going forward. It worked out well for us,” he said. “We had the unique opportunity at this year’s fair because of COVID to think outside of the box versus doing the same old same old.

     “We did the job that we could with the resources we had, and I have high praise for everyone.”

     The 169th GJCF will take place July 21-25, 2021. The concert acts were previously announced, with on-sale ticket dates to be determined. You can keep up on the latest 2021 fair news by visiting www.greatjonescountyfair.com or following the fair on Facebook.

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