Our State Fair is the best State Fair!
Everyone loves attending the State Fair and seeing all the festivities such as games, contests, the animals and entertainment! Unfortunately, when residents become older and are unable to go on outings they miss out on all the fun. Unless they live at St. Joseph’s Home! We bring the State Fair to them! For the last 8 years the residents have been able to enjoy all the action that takes place at our Mini State Fair. We have three days of exciting activities such as our Midway Fun on Monday, contests on Wednesday and also a Potluck Dinner for all residents and employees on Friday followed by a cake contest.
This year we had a new addition to our Fair. We have our very own “Freddy Farm Bureau” better known as “Freddy Junior” created by our resident, Jim Vanderhaar and our talented volunteers, Ernie Bidwell, Ellen Bidwell and Martha Bohn. Freddy was very unique, he would speak to the audience and everyone would look in amazement when Freddy knew their name or knew about their interest. Needless to say everyone will be looking forward to seeing him again next year.
“The Midway”
Monday was our Midway Fun filled with games and goodies! The residents entered the auditorium with fair music being played by one of our volunteers, Ruth Fredrick. They also had their name written down on a ticket to be added to the door prize drawing. They enjoyed playing a variety of games such as Balloon Pop, Wheel of Chance, Duck O War, Scrambled Eggs and more! When the resident would win a game their name would be added to a ticket for the door prizes! We also had lots of Fair Goodies! The tables were full of cotton candy, popcorn, fudge, hot dogs, lemonade and milk shakes! The residents had a wonderful time sitting together enjoying the fair atmosphere. We invited our special guests back – the “Fairbears!” who are familiar characters at the Kentucky State Fair held in late August.
“Animals and Contests”
What is the fair without animals! Our youth volunteers took the rabbits around for the residents to pet. A local farmer provided us with a llama and a pony! Everyone had lots of fun when the contests began. We started with corn shuckin’ then watermelon eatin’, hog callin’ (one true favorite of our residents) and last but not least pie throwing!
“Potluck Friday and Cake Contest”
On the third day at the fair we had a potluck! The kitchen staff and employees provided the meal. There were three long tables of food not to mention the dessert table! Everyone enjoyed sharing a meal together. It brought back memories of being younger and taking a picnic lunch to the fair!
We also had a cake contest where employees, volunteers and residents were invited to enter. We ended up having ten cakes entered in the contest. The residents enjoyed watching the judges as they tasted and examined all the delicious cakes. After the judging everyone was given the opportunity to sample the entries.
8th Annual State Fair!