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bJuly 27 - August 2, 2014

CASS COUNTYFAIR

A supplement to Leader Publications

2 Cass County Fair 2014 • Week of July 27, 2014

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Grand MarshalFamiliar face leads parade, 163rd annual Cass County 4-H Fair

Entertainment returnsAmerica’s Got Talent family band takes stage at grand stand July 28

Paying it 4-wardMiss Dowagiac selling duck at fair to benefit scholarship pageant

2 Cass County Fair 2014 • Week of July 27, 2014 Cass County Fair 2014 • Week of July 27, 2014 3

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By TED YOAKUMted.yoakum@leaderpub.com

As the saying goes, two heads are better than one.

When it comes to the per-formers headlining this year’s enter-tainers at the Cass County Fair, it ap-pears that 12 singers are better than one.

Folk and country musicians The Willis Clan will be in concert at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 28 at the fair grandstand. Tickets for the concert cost $6 for adults, $2 for children 6-12 years old, and $1 for children under the age of 5.

The Willis Clan is comprised en-tirely of 12 siblings, ranging from 3 to 22 years old, all of whose first name begins with the letter “J.”

• Jessica, 22 • Jeremiah, 21 • Jennifer, 19 • Jeanette, 18• Jackson, 16 • Jedi, 14 • Jasmine, 12 • Juliette, 11 • Jamie, 9 • Joy, 7 • Jaeger, 4 • Jada, 3The group, based out of Nashville,

specializes in a combination of country, bluegrass and traditional Irish folk music. They have released two albums to date with a third on the way.

The siblings, raised by their par-ents Toby and Brenda, have compet-ed for years in regional and national dance competitions before making their big musical debut. They also have accolades outside the entertain-ment world, with several of the boys winning state awards in wrestling.

The Partridge Family-esque group has made national headlines in re-cent years, with a reality series on Great American Country channel

that chronicles their daily, hectic lives. They are also contestants on this season of “America’s Got Tal-ent.

The up-and-coming artists caught the eyes of organizers with the fair before their coming out party to the rest of the nation. Several of them saw them perform a 15-minute set at a fair convention last year in Grand Rapids, and were impressed by what they heard and saw.

“A lot of us watched the concert and thought this would be a great fit for this year’s fair,” said Brian Kue-min, entertainment chair.

They immediately got in touch with them to book them for this year’s fair. Since then, Kuemin and his fellow board members have en-joyed seeing their headliners’ mete-oric rise in fame over the past year.

In the past, the fair has featured primarily cover-artists and tribute bands as their premiere music act, including last year’s artists, 1964, a Beatles tribute group. While these groups have been popular among fairgoers, having a group of rising stars makes this year’s per-formance an event attendees won’t want to miss,

“I’m probably more excited about this year’s show than I have been in a while,” Kue-min said.

“Whe the r you’ re young or old, you will really enjoy watching them perform,” he said. “They have a great mix be-tween singing and danc-ing. This is certainly a show that will tar-g e t a m u c h broader au-dience.”

Submitted photoThe Willis Clan, made famous by popular television show “America’s Got Talent,” will perform at the Cass County Fair.

Entertainment returnsTwelve siblings headline grandstand events

4 Cass County Fair 2014 • Week of July 27, 2014

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For three decades, there’s been a name that many a Cass Coun-ty equine lover have become quite familiar with from an early age — the Jones Rough Riders.

At this year’s county fair, the founder of the imposingly named club will have a different distinguished title bestowed upon her: grand marshal.

Sophie Hahn, of Jones, will serve as the 163rd Grand Marshal of the fair. In that ceremonial position, she will have a number of re-sponsibilities, most important of which is to lead the parade during the opening ceremony, at 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 27.

Hahn was selected for the role by the 15 members of the fair’s Board of Directors, said member Brian Kuemin. Kuemin was the one who initially brought her name to the table, due her extensive work with the fair’s youth over the last 30 years.

“We always look for people who have been instrumental for the county, either with the fair or with 4-H organizations,” Kuemin said.

Last year, Dowagiac couple Riley and Margaret Wyant were be-stowed the honor.

Hahn and her then-husband, Raymond, started the Rough Riders 4-H club, helping the county’s children learn to care for and handle draft horses. Since its foundation, the club has had members from all over the area, including Jones, Cassopolis, Marcellus, Vandalia and Edwardsburg, said Tery Hahn, Sophie’s son.

“Children who were in the club back in the day now have chil-dren who are in,” he said.

Sophie’s passion for horses was born in part to help her children, who shared a similar interest in the animals growing up, Tery said.

“We basically boarded horses for the kids who couldn’t afford to do so themselves,” he said.

Hahn, who recently retired from her job working at Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare, was surprised when she had heard the news of her selection, her son said.

For those who have spent anytime working with her, though, it comes as no surprise at all that her years of dedication to the next generation of Cass County farmers have paid off in a beautiful fash-ion.

“Sophie is a person who has been around a long time,” Kuemin said. “She is a good person, a very well respected leader, and the kids all love her.”

Leading the paradeCass County equine lover serves as grand marshal for 163rd 4-H Fair

4 Cass County Fair 2014 • Week of July 27, 2014 Cass County Fair 2014 • Week of July 27, 2014 5

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THURSDAY, JULY 246 p.m. Youth Cat Show, Agnes Gregarek Community Bldg.

FRIDAY, JULY 25 6 p.m. Youth Dog Agility, Show & Sale Arena6:30 p.m. Youth Light Horse Driving Classes, Draft Horse Ring

SATURDAY, JULY 26 8 a.m. Entry of Open Class Home Arts & Fine Arts Exhibits, Darlene B. Lowe Exhibit Complex9 a.m. Registration & Judging of All Youth Projects & Entry of Non-Livestock Exhibits12 p.m. Open Class Exhibits must be in place, Darlene B. Lowe Exhibit Complex12 p.m. Youth Dog Showmanship & Obedience, Show & Sale Arena 3 p.m. Youth Non-Livestock Exhibits must be in place, Darlene B. Lowe Exhibit Complex7 p.m. 20th Annual Fair “KING & QUEEN” Contest 7 p.m. 11th Annual Fair “PRINCE & PRINCESS” Contest

SUNDAY, JULY 277 a.m. Livestock may enter the fairgrounds12 p.m. Entry of Open Class Floriculture & Horticulture, Darlene B. Lowe Exhibit Complex1 p.m. Draft Horse Pulls, Grandstand2:30 p.m. Youth Still Exhibit Auction, Agnes Gregarek Community Bldg.3 p.m. Youth Livestock Exhibits must be in place4 p.m. Open Class Floriculture & Horticulture must be in place 5 p.m. Youth Draft Horse Evaluations, Draft Horse Barn6 p.m. Fair Opening Ceremonies/Parade, Grandstand7 p.m. Street Legal Pickup Truck & Semi Tractor Pull, Grandstand

MONDAY, JULY 28Paid admission begins at 8 a.m. Veterans’ day – free admission - Must Show ID8 a.m. Youth & Pee Wee/Cloverbud Dairy Show, Show & Sale Arena8 a.m. Youth & Pee Wee/Cloverbud Sheep Show, Show & Sale Arena9 a.m. Youth Horse & Pony - Trail Classes/Dressage (p.m.), Horse Ring 2 p.m. Youth & Pee Wee/Cloverbud Swine Showmanship, Show & Sale Arena7 p.m. The Willis Clan, Grandstand

TUESDAY, JULY 29Kiddie’s Day — Children 6-12, free admission8 a.m. Scales open for Farm Tractor Pull, Infield 9 a.m. Farm Tractor & Antique Tractor Pull, Grandstand9 a.m. Youth Horse & Pony - English Classes, Hunter & Equitation, Horse Ring9 a.m. Youth Market Swine Show, Show & Sale Arena1 p.m. Kiddies’ Day Program (1:00-2:30 p.m.), Agnes Gregarek Community Bldg. 2 p.m. Youth Dairy Feeder Steer Show, Show & Sale Arena6 p.m. Open & Youth Draft Horse Cart Classes, Draft Horse Ring7 p.m. NTPA Regional National Tractor & Truck Pulls, Grandstand

WEDNESDAY, JULY 308 a.m. Youth Beef Show, Show & Sale Arena9 a.m. Youth Horse - Halter & Performance Classes, Horse Ring9 a.m. Draft Horse Halter Classes, Draft Horse Ring9 a.m. Youth & Pee Wee/Cloverbud Rabbit Show, Bergman Building1:30 p.m. Youth Goat Show (All classes except cart, pack, and costume), Show & Sale Arena6 p.m. Youth Horse & Pony Versatility (following performance classes), Horse Ring7 p.m. Karaoke – Nick’s Stage 7 p.m. Super Kickers Extreme Bulls & Barrels, Grandstand

THURSDAY, JULY 31Senior Citizen’s Day (60 and older), free admission all day (with ID)8 a.m. Youth Draft Horse Show, Draft Horse Ring9 a.m. Youth Pony Show - Halter & Performance Classes, English and Western Riding & Reining Classes, Horse Ring9 a.m. Youth & Pee Wee/Cloverbud Poultry Show, Poultry Barn and Bergman Building9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Senior Citizens Day Program – Presented by Cass County Council on Aging, Agnes Gregarek Community Bldg.10 a.m. Youth Market Livestock Auction –Beef, Lambs, Dairy Feed-ers, Gallon of Milk, Draft Horse, Swine; Show & Sale ArenaNOTE: Buyer Dinner will be provided during the auction with no orga-nized break3 p.m. Euchre Tournament, Agnes Gregarek Community Bldg.5 p.m. Draft Horse Utility Classes, Draft Horse Ring7 p.m. Demolition Derby (wagons, sedans, 2WD trucks, vans, suburbans, mini trucks, mini vans, mini cars), Grandstand

FRIDAY, AUG. 1Homemaker’s Day, Homemakers admitted free until 9:30 a.m.9 a.m. Youth Horse & Pony Gymkhana, Horse Ring9 a.m. Homemakers’ Day Program, Agnes Gregarek Community Bldg.10 a.m. Pedal Pull, Midway

6 Cass County Fair 2014 • Week of July 27, 2014 Cass County Fair 2014 • Week of July 27, 2014 7

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10 a.m. Youth Livestock Judging Contest, Show & Sale Arena1 p.m. Youth Interviews & Demonstrations, Gazebo2 p.m. Ag Olympics, Show & Sale Arena3 p.m. Youth Small Animal Sweepstakes, Agnes Gregarek Community Bldg.4 p.m. Youth Goat Costume, Cart, Obstacle & Pack Show (following Ag Olympics), Show & Sale Arena5 p.m. Pizza Eating Contest (following Small Animal Fun Show), Midway (Porky’s)6 p.m. Open & Youth Draft Horse Cart Obstacle Classes, Draft Horse Ring7 p.m. SJO Super Cross Championship Series, GrandstandAt Dusk Fireworks (rain date Saturday), Grandstand

SATURDAY, AUG. 2Family $1 Day, noon to 6 p.m.9 a.m. Youth Horse & Pony - Costume Classes, Horse Ring9 a.m. Youth Small Animal Auction – poultry, dozen eggs, goats, rabbits, Show & Sale Arena10 a.m. (Drive In) Open Draft & Light Draft Cart & Hitch Show, Draft Horse Ring11 a.m. Pee Wee/Cloverbud Horse & Pony Classes, Horse Ring1 p.m. Equine Awards Ceremony/Last Ride, Horse Ring3:30 p.m. Showmanship Sweepstakes, Show & Sale Arena7 p.m. Monster Trucks, Grandstand8:45 p.m. Home Arts Quilt Raffle Drawing, Fair Office

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Be sure to check the Dowagiac Daily News, Edwardsburg Argus and Cassopolis Vigilant for

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CASS COUNTYFAIR

10 Cass County Fair 2014 • Week of July 27, 2014

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Paying it 4-wardBy TED YOAKUMted.yoakum@leaderpub.com

In true Cass County fashion, Miss Dowa-giac Mackenzie Whitmyer is just as comfortable on the farm corralling her small assembly of lambs, pigs and rab-

bits as he is on greeting onlookers on a float.So it’s only natural, then, that she use her

knowledge of livestock to help the next set of Dowagiac beauty queens. At the upcom-ing Cass County Fair, Whitmyer will be auc-tioning off the brown-featured mallard duck she has spent the last few months raising, with the proceeds going toward the Miss Dowagiac Scholarship fund.

“The organization has done a lot for me,” Whitmyer said. “Besides helping to pay for

c o l l e g e , t h e p a g e a n t h a s helped my con-fidence and im-proved my pub-lic speaking. I wanted to give back, and what better way than to do it with my passion.”

She purchased the bird, which she named Rita, from a friend in April, and has been raising it

at her Aunt Lori’s farm ever since, preparing for the big day later this month.

“This is the first year I’ve ever handled a duck,” Whitmyer said. “I was really ner-vous about it.”

Despite the initial jitters, she has spent ev-ery morning taking care the waterfowl alongside her other animals, feeding her, maintaining her pen and even playing with her every once in a while.

Whitmyer has been raising animals with the Legacy 4-H program since middle school, she said. Every summer, she travels to her aunt’s farm, spending a good portion of her day taking care of her livestock.

“I think I’m at the farm more often than my house, honestly,” she said.

While this is no small task for any recent high school graduate, Whitmyer has been successfully juggling her part-time position at Lakeside Parlor in Cassopolis along with her responsibilities as Miss Dowagiac. De-spite the long days and early mornings, she

said she has little complaints about putting in the time necessary to prepare for the year-ly fair.

“I don’t need to be motivated to do it,” she said. “I like it, I just enjoy doing it.”

In addition to her bird, Whitmyer will also be showing two rabbits, two lambs, two pigs and a steer at this year’s fair as well.

“Fair time is like Christmas for me,” she said. “All the time you’ve put in since April finally pays off.”

During the auction, Whitmyer said she is hoping that the duck fetches a decent price from buyers looking to do their part to sup-port the pageant’s cause.

“Our buyers are supportive of every single kid,” she said. “They know the dedication that goes into raising livestock, and are su-per helpful.”

In the fall, Whitmyer will attend classes at Michigan State University, where she plans on studying agribusiness. With two years left of eligibility in the 4-H program, though, she said she will hardly be stranger at coming county fairs.

“I’ll continue to show until I can’t anymore,” she said.

Miss Dowagiac to auction duck to support pageant

Leader photos/TED YOAKUM

10 Cass County Fair 2014 • Week of July 27, 2014 Cass County Fair 2014 • Week of July 27, 2014 11

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