• Article Photo. Despite Monday's storm, 2011 Fair was full of events, shows and activities.
    Despite Monday's storm, 2011 Fair was full of events, shows and activities.
  • Article Photo. Many children participated in the Kiddie Tractor Pull Saturday at the Fair.
    Many children participated in the Kiddie Tractor Pull Saturday at the Fair.
  • Article Photo. The 2011 Fair included antique tractors, carnival rides and much more.
    The 2011 Fair included antique tractors, carnival rides and much more.

      The Parade of Champions will take place at 2:30 p.m. today at the Benton County Fairgrounds. The fairly recent tradition of honoring all of the champions of the livestock and other 4-H/FFA shows is one of the final events of the 2011 Benton County Fair. 

     Despite the damage caused by the storm on Monday, the work by volunteers to make the Fairgrounds ready for the event allowed most of its shows to continue throughout the week. The heat and humidity were a factor on Saturday as participants and their parents worked to keep their livestock clean and cool. 

     Fair Boad President Dick Meyer was awakened by the storm while sleeping in his camper at the Fairgrounds on Monday morning. He heard the storm warning on his weather radio, and left the camper shortly before it overturned in the 100+ MPH winds. Despite the power outage and damage to the horse and hog barns, Fair leaders met early Monday morning immediately decided to let the event continue. 

     Meyer, a Iowa 4-H Foundation Hall of Fame member, has been the Fair Board President for more than a quarter-century. See his 2008 induction story HERE. 

    Saturday's events included some fun contests, a Kiddie Tractor Pull sponsored by FFA members, and a Barnyard Olympics. Many watched the Demolition Derby, and several competed in the Farm Bureau Cook-Off.