A big contender for volunteers and contestants at the Moody County Fair this year may very well be Mother Nature. High heat and humidity are forecast throughout the weekend with highs into the mid to upper 90s.
The Fair is scheduled to kick off this Thursday with 4-H animal shows starting at 9:30 a.m. and running throughout the day. The Cat and Companion Animal Show will be held at the Community Center. Rabbit and other poultry shows will follow in the early afternoon. Thursday evening, the annual parade is scheduled to run through downtown Flandreau with the line-up starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Museum. After the parade, county residents are invited to attend the annual Pork Loin Feed from 6:00-7:30 p.m. west of the arena Grandstands ($8 for a sandwich, chips, beans and water) and an Ice Cream Social, sponsored by the Flandreau Development Corporation. A tractor pull and performance by the Flandreau City Band are scheduled to follow.
New this year, and starting on Friday, will be a Mud Volleyball competition in the outdoor arena. That event takes place Friday night after a day full of 4-H livestock shows, a pie contest — which is open to all to enter, an Antique Truck & Tractor Show, the Ag Olympics, a pie auction, and for the first time in years, a Free Community Meal sponsored by the Fair Board. The meal, which is limited, runs 5:00-7:00 p.m. so you’re encouraged to show up early. The pie auction will be held right in the middle of it all, right at 6:00 p.m. Community BINGO will also be held that night.
More 4-H livestock shows close out the weekend on Saturday beginning at 8am with the swine, small animal pet and beef show. Following the beef show the Round Robin will be held to close out the fair. The Open Class and 4-H Static Exhibits will be released from 9-10:30am.
Back to that Pie Contest for a moment — because, well, it’s pie. The best, according to a panel of judges, will net the winner this year a $50.00 grand prize along with bragging rights. There will also be a Reserve Champion chosen with a $25.00 take home prize. The contest is open to Moody County residents of all ages, there is no registration fee, and you can enter as many pies as you’d like. Check in runs from 9-10am that day, with judging beginning at 10am. You’re asked to simply bring the recipe along with each entry. Winners will be announced at the time of the auction.
