A father's memory of county fairs and community
Clip: Special | 57sVideo has Closed Captions
Jerry Apps shares his father's memories of the Waushara County Fair and its role in rural life.
Jerry Apps recounts his father's cherished memories of showing cattle at the Waushara County Fair, where farmers gathered to compare livestock, reconnect and share stories. From sleeping on a hay wagon to catching up with friends, the fair was more than competition — it was a vital social event. Watch Jerry share this heartwarming perspective on Wisconsin’s county fair tradition.
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Jerry Apps is a local public television program presented by PBS Wisconsin
A father's memory of county fairs and community
Clip: Special | 57sVideo has Closed Captions
Jerry Apps recounts his father's cherished memories of showing cattle at the Waushara County Fair, where farmers gathered to compare livestock, reconnect and share stories. From sleeping on a hay wagon to catching up with friends, the fair was more than competition — it was a vital social event. Watch Jerry share this heartwarming perspective on Wisconsin’s county fair tradition.
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- Jerry Apps: My dad, who when he was in his 20s and newly married, showed at the Waushara County Fair.
And I asked him one time, I interviewed him when he was in his 80s.
"Well, why did you go to the fair?"
He said, "Well, I had a chance to compare my cattle "with Joe's cattle, "but I also had a chance to meet farmers that I only saw once a year."
And he said it was the most wonderful thing in the world.
I said, "Where did you sleep?"
"Well, I slept on a load of hay I had brought along to feed the cows."
So he said, "I loved it."
And I said, "Gee, that sounds kind of primitive."
"It wasn't," he said, "because I had all these farmers.
"I only saw most of them once a year.
"And we just had more stories to tell each other than you could imagine."
[gentle music]
Fair play in the cabbage competition
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Jerry Apps recalls a county fair vegetable judging and a lesson in honesty. (55s)
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Jerry Apps explores the origins of fair food on a stick — the ultimate portable Wisconsin tradition. (54s)
Preview - Jerry Apps: Meet Us at the Fair
Author Jerry Apps and other fairgoers reminisce and reflect on Wisconsin state and county fairs. (30s)
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Jerry Apps shares a judge's hilarious chase after a runaway calf. (57s)
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Jerry Apps explores the history of the fair Midway, from games of chance to thrilling rides. (1m 47s)
Wisconsin county fairs forge tradition and reunion
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Wisconsin fairgoers share why county fairs feel like home. (1m 49s)
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Fairgoers share their favorite Wisconsin fair foods — from cheese curds to funnel cakes. (55s)
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Jerry Apps is a local public television program presented by PBS Wisconsin