FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: George Koepp, Sauk County Fair vice president, 608-356-8707 (Fair office)
BARABOO, WI—(July 16, 2005)—Over concern for the health and well-being of the nearly 600 cows, sheep, pigs, horses, chickens, rabbits, llamas and other animals at the Sauk County Fair, the directors of the Sauk County Agricultural Society released them early to go home. The animals were released from the Fairgrounds beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday rather than after 4 p.m. Sunday. The directors made the unanimous decision at about 4 p.m. Saturday after reviewing several reports and warnings issued by local and national meteorologists predicting dangerous heat indexes on Sunday.
“We’ve taken several precautions with our animals this week at the Fair,” explained George Koepp, Society vice president. “Our 4-Hers and FFAers have done a good job keeping all the animals well-watered and their stalls or pens clean. Fans and even make-shift misting systems have kept the barns well-ventilated and animals cool. Volunteers from the Baraboo Fire Department watered down the roofs of several barns to lower the inside temperatures.”
“However, with meteorologists predicting more hot weather for Sunday and youth as well as Fair officials concerned about the added stress heat can put on animals while here, the board decided it was best to release animals going home at 6 p.m. today,” Koepp said.
This was the second time in about 25 years when animals were released early. The other time Fair officials could recall was under similar hot weather conditions when dairy milk cows were allowed to leave on Friday night right after their day in the show ring.
The decision affects all animal projects at the Fair. It does not affect any of the non-animal projects, which remain on display through 4 p.m. Sunday. It also does not affect the commercial and educational vendors, free youth activities, midway, Grandstand shows and foodstands—all part of the 151st annual Sauk County Fair. On Sunday, people who bring two canned food items to the Fair midway pay only $14 to ride from Noon to 9 p.m. The Grandstand shows include a demolition derby at 1 p.m. featuring heat events and compact cars, while a second demolition derby at 6:30 p.m. features trucks, consolations and finals. Admission for each Grandstand show is $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 6 to 12. Admission onto the fairgrounds remains free.
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