
Wisconsin county fairs forge tradition and reunion
Clip: Special | 1m 49sVideo has Closed Captions
Wisconsin fairgoers share why county fairs feel like home.
County fairs bring communities together, offering a place to celebrate achievements, reconnect with old friends and experience local traditions. From 4-H exhibits to uncooperative calves in the show ring, fairgoers share what makes these events special.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Jerry Apps is a local public television program presented by PBS Wisconsin

Wisconsin county fairs forge tradition and reunion
Clip: Special | 1m 49sVideo has Closed Captions
County fairs bring communities together, offering a place to celebrate achievements, reconnect with old friends and experience local traditions. From 4-H exhibits to uncooperative calves in the show ring, fairgoers share what makes these events special.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Jerry Apps
Jerry Apps is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
- Kay Peterson: Every year, we probably visit at least three or four different county fairs, and it's always interesting to see the different things, ideas that we can bring back to our own fair.
And it's just a lot of fun.
- Carolyn Meyer: It's great to see what the community is doing.
It's great to see what these kids are accomplishing, whether it be completing a project that we're going to see in the exhibit building where there's food and sewing and flower arrangements and that type of thing, or whether it's some child that is trying to lead an uncooperative calf in the show ring.
It's just fun to see what everybody has accomplished.
- Audrey Belter: You can't believe all the people you see and you recognize them from years and years ago.
- Bill Deppe: I see people, you know, that I haven't seen or sometimes the people I've met, this is about the only place I see 'em is at the fair.
And then, when our kids got into 4-H, it was like a reunion for me, because a lot of the people that were in 4-H when I was in were back with their kids.
So it was kind of fun to get to see all those people again and renew old friendships.
- David Laatsch: Every fair is the best fair in the people's minds in that community.
And the problems that occur at a fair are the same no matter which part of the state you're in.
There is always an electrical problem.
There's a water problem.
There's always the same flooding that occurs at every fair.
But then when the fair is over, everybody has the same satisfaction that this is our community and this is is our fair.
[upbeat music]
Fair play in the cabbage competition
Video has Closed Captions
Jerry Apps recalls a county fair vegetable judging and a lesson in honesty. (55s)
A father's memory of county fairs and community
Video has Closed Captions
Jerry Apps shares his father's memories of the Waushara County Fair and its role in rural life. (57s)
Food on a stick for deep fried fun
Video has Closed Captions
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)
The Runaway Calf and a fairground adventure
Video has Closed Captions
Jerry Apps shares a judge's hilarious chase after a runaway calf. (57s)
Video has Closed Captions
David Laatsch shares how the third day of the fair is the peak of excitement, romance and chaos. (56s)
Video has Closed Captions
Jerry Apps explores the history of the fair Midway, from games of chance to thrilling rides. (1m 47s)
Video has Closed Captions
Fairgoers share their favorite Wisconsin fair foods — from cheese curds to funnel cakes. (55s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipJerry Apps is a local public television program presented by PBS Wisconsin