United Methodist Women attend annual conference

Prairie Home girls instructional team finished their season over the weekend. They had a great time and learned a lot. Team members are, back row, Heather Crews, Ian Bedell, Madilyn Kuester, Kate Crews, Madison Brown, Samantha Searles, Aubree Hedgpath, Kamden Holliday, Brian Kuester and Colton Searles; front row, Sarah Searles, Casey Bedell and Haleigh Gerke.
Prairie Home girls instructional team finished their season over the weekend. They had a great time and learned a lot. Team members are, back row, Heather Crews, Ian Bedell, Madilyn Kuester, Kate Crews, Madison Brown, Samantha Searles, Aubree Hedgpath, Kamden Holliday, Brian Kuester and Colton Searles; front row, Sarah Searles, Casey Bedell and Haleigh Gerke.

The Prairie Home United Methodist Women met on Monday evening. Marsha Stewart was the hostess and Cindy Lenger gave the program about the recent Annual Conference in Springfield. Those who attended were Kay Sells, Jackie Bruner, Jeanie Lachner, Cindy Lenger, Amy Small, Cecilia Johnson, Donna Lenger, Jessi Menold and Maggie, Nancy Kixmiller, Marsha Stewart and Cindy Lenger.

Sunday morning was the first worship service for Pastor Steve Jones. Pastor Jones has been appointed to serve Prairie Home United Methodist and Jamestown Grace United Methodist Churches and will begin attending St. Paul School of Theology and Ministry in the fall. He and his wife Tracy were welcomed with a fellowship dinner following worship. Glenda Sells and Glenda Scott were hostesses for the dinner. They will be living in the parsonage and several members of the congregation helped unload their moving truck after lunch. Those who helped included Brenda and Donnie Sells, Jerry and Glenda Sells, Brent Sells and Landyn, Cindy Lenger, Amy Small and Nancy Kixmiller.

The Girls Instructional Softball Team completed their season last week. Players included Madilyn Kuester, Kate Crews, Madison Brown, Samantha Searles, Aubree Hedgpath, Kamden Holliday, Sarah Searles, Casey Bedell and Haleigh Gerke. Coaches/helpers for the team included Heather Crews, Ian Bedell, Brian Kuester and Colton Searles. Coach Crews said, "I am so proud of these kids! Way to go, Prairie Home!"

The last Fair work day is Saturday, July 5, beginning around 8 a.m. Panels will be set up, trash cans distributed, food stand prepped, speakers installed, art/school hall tarps, displays, tables arranged. From the Prairie Home Fair Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Prairie-Home-Fair/1477085605837212): This fair is only successful because of the volunteers.

The 99th annual Prairie Home Fair is next week beginning on Wednesday, July 9. "The Fair was organized with the idea of promoting and encouraging better livestock and better grains and seeds, above all to promote friendly exhibits and provide a common meeting ground for all. The enterprise has grown from its start as a strictly local meeting until today it is more than county wide and is looked on as one of the leading fairs in Central Missouri." Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the Prairie Home Fair is that it has remained a "Free Fair" - there are no entry fees and no admission fees.

The Art Hall is located at Prairie Home School and opens at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. Joe Zey is the Superintendent and departments include Field and Garden Products (Joe Henry Zey and Jessica Zey, assistants), Pantry Stores (Mary Burger, assistant), Horticulture (Patti Vonder Haar (assistant), Baked Goods and Candy (Mary Sue Lohse and Diane Figueroa, assistants), Crafts (Aurora Dawn-Rose and Eva Hans Bellmann, assistants). Entries may be made with the general secretaries (Virginia Class, Joyce Zey, Nancy Kirschman) until 12:30. Nancy Kixmiller is the Superintendent of the School department. Chris Auckland and Melody Paulson, assistants/secretaries, will take school entries in the gym until 12:30. The Art Hall will be closed to the public during judging, but will reopen after all judging is complete and remain open until 6 p.m. The Art Hall will be open to the public from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Entries must be removed between 8 - 10 a.m. on Saturday. Art Hall premiums will be paid at the general secretary's desk, school premiums will be paid at the school department table in the gym.

The Sheep Show begins at 10 on Wednesday morning with the Goat Show following.

The carnival, Archway Amusements, will open at 6 p.m. each night of the fair. In addition to single tickets, armbands that allow the wearer unlimited rides will be available for $15/night and will be good from 6 - 10 p.m.

The 33rd Annual Tractor Pull will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9. There is no entry fee for the tractor pull.

Thursday, July 10, is the Better Babies Contest at 10 a.m. (registration 9:15 - 9:55). Contact Stacey Holliday at 660/841-7772 for more information. Winners should plan to attend the fair at 7 p.m. for recognition.

The Junior Cattle Show begins at 11 a.m. on Thursday, with weigh-in from 9 - 10 a.m. Contact Warren Graff (660/841-5251), Heather Sullard (660/621-9636) or Pat Twenter (660/888-3608) for more information.

Thursday evening's events kick off with the Pet Parade at 7 p.m.

Friday begins early with the First Annual "A Fair Day to Run 5K Run/Walk. Registration begins at 7 a.m. with the race starting at 7:30 a.m. Registration forms are available at www.prairiehomefair.com under the "Schedule of Events" tab. For more information, contact Sage Eichenburch (660/841-5253 or [email protected]).

You can show off your mad tractor skills at Friday afternoon's Tractor Rodeo. The event begins at 1:30 and consists of four events designed to demonstrate safety and skill in operating tractors and machinery. Participants must be at least 15 years old and make arrangements for a tractor.

The always popular Bingo returns Friday night. A fundraiser for the swimming pool, the first numbers are called at 6 p.m. You are also invited to come back and play on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Friday night's big event is the 27th Annual Four Wheeler Rodeo. The competition begins at 7:30 p.m. Riders can sign up at the Secretary's Stand from 6 to 8 p.m. A kill switch is required on all modified classes. Each four wheeler may only be entered in one event. There is a maximum of two drivers per bike and helmets and boots are required by all riders. Riders must sign a release waiver with riders under 18 being required to have written consent from a parent or guardian.

Saturday the Pedal Pull for boys and girls ages three - 12 begins at 9:30 a.m. Parent or guardian must sign a release waiver for children to pull. The pullers will weigh-in at the Secretary Stand and will divided into classes according to weight.

The Adult Pedal Pull will follow the Pedal Pull for boys and girls. Classes will include young boys and girls ages 13-17; adult women age 18 and older; adult men age 18 and older. For more information on either Pedal Pull, contact Jeff Baer (660/433-2159 or 660/537-2203).

One of the most popular events of the Fair, the Specials, begin at noon after the Pedal Pull. The first event is the Father and Son and Mother and Daughter who resemble most. The afternoon is for children 12 and under for races. The competitors will be classified by age and gender. Races will include sack race, spoon race, 50 yard dash, bicycle race and tricycle race.

The 99th Annual Prairie Home Fair Bluegrass Music Day will be held at the Lions Club Shelter house on the fairgrounds. B

The Doll Buggy Parade begins Saturday evening's festivities at 7 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., the Variety Horse Show begins.

Whether you watch the grandstand events, enter projects in the art hall, play bingo, show livestock or participate in any of the other events, there is something for everybody at the Prairie Home Fair.