Queens work together

CRESCO - Kandise Hauber, 2016 Howard County Fair Queen, had two goals when she was serving. She wanted to have a princess named, who would be available to help the queen when needed. She got that goal accomplished the very year she crowned Sami Bigalk as Queen and Emma Mannery as Princess.

Her second goal has been a little more difficult to achieve, but with the help of Bigalk and Mannery, she is well on her way to seeing it to fruition, hopefully by the 2018 Mighty Howard County Fair, June 20-24.

Her goal is Walkways for Wheels. She explains, “I worked, and still do, at a nursing home. The residents loved coming to the fair. They remember it from when they were little and as they grew up.” Hauber herself has been going to and participating in the fair since she was little. 

But she noticed one small problem for others. The fairgrounds is mostly made up of gravel roads and walkways, which are difficult to maneuver for those in wheelchairs, walkers or strollers.

“My grandma (Pat Hauber) wanted to come to see me, but it was difficult because the roads were bumpy. I want everyone to enjoy the amazing Howard County Fair. I want them to see all the advances we’ve made.”

She went on to say there are so many great things to see, including the new Ag Education Center. 

Her goal is to have sidewalks connecting one building to another all through the fairgrounds. So far she is getting lots of support for the project. “Sami came to me and said she would love to help with it. She and Emma have been great, and I’m very appreciative for all the help we get.”

Fair Board Executive Secretary Tom Barnes is proud of his queens! “They are spearheading the effort to put wide sidewalks on the fairgrounds. We try to sweep areas before the fair to make it smooth for the wheelchairs, but it doesn’t stay.”

He said more cement will be added to connect the fair office/Museum/Featherlite Center building to the Expo, food stands, grandstand and 4-H building. He is also hoping the project will allow a 40 ft. wide by 100 ft. long walkway from the driveway to the Ag Education Center.

He commented the board has wanted to have cement on the main area of the fairgrounds, but have other issues to worry about as well.

Hauber is very excited to see the project taking shape. When completed, she joked, “You wouldn’t have an excuse not to come to the fair! This could make it the best fair in the state of Iowa!” 

Who can argue with that?

To give a tax deductible donation, make check to Howard County Agricultural Society, P.O. Box 83, Cresco, IA 52136, and for more information call Barnes at 641-220-4408.