Posted June 27, 2009

Premiums Paid:

 In recent state cuts, 100% of the funding that supported county fair premiums was eliminated, leading fairs throughout the state to evaluate whether or not to continue to pay premiums, and if so, at what level premiums would be paid.  The Cass County Fair paid out $33,595 in premium money in 2008 and received $23,204 (69%) in reimbursement from the state.

 The fair board solicited information with regard to premiums from the various groups who receive them and met in special session on May 27 to discuss and determine what changes would be made for the 2009 fair.

 The board approved the following changes –

 All classes in Departments 1 through 106 listed in the 2009 Cass County Fair Premium Book premiums are reduced by 50% with the exception of:

 Horse Pull Department 100, Section A, Class 8202, remains unchanged, Class 8201 eliminated

Horse Pull Department 100, Section B, Class 8211, remains unchanged, Class 8212 eliminated

Farm Machinery Department 103, Section A, Classes 8301 through 8309, remains unchanged

Farm Machinery Department 103, Section B, Classes 8351 through 8355, remains unchanged

Further, the following classes have been eliminated:

Open Draft Department 17, Section J, Classes 1931 through 1947 (Saturday Drive-In Open Show Cancelled for 2009)

Horse Pull Department 100, Section A, Class 8201

Horse Pull Department 100, Section B, Class 8212

The following classes have been added in place of the Saturday Drive-In Open Show and judging will begin at 10:00 am:

Open Draft Department 17, Section K,

Class 1950 Open Youth Cart (age 9-19) Draft

Class 1951 Open Youth Cart (age 9-19) Haflinger & Other Light Draft Breeds

Class 1952 Mare Cart – Draft

Class 1953 Mare Cart – Haflinger & Other Light Draft Breeds

Class 1954 Gelding Cart – Draft

Class 1955 Gelding Cart – Haflinger & Other Light Draft Breeds

Class 1956 2-Horse Hitch – Draft

Class 1957 2-Horse Hitch – Haflinger & Other Light Draft Breeds

Class 1958 4-Horse Hitch – Draft

Class 1959 4-Horse Hitch – Haflinger & Other Light Draft Breeds

Class 1960 Farm Hitch

Class 1961 6-Horse Hitch

Premiums:   1st $25.00   2nd $20.00   3rd $15.00   4th $12.50   5th  $10.00   6th  $7.50

A majority of response received with regard to premiums indicated that trophies, rosettes, and ribbons were more highly prized than premium monies.  Further action was taken at the June 9 regular board meeting that no premium checks will be issued in amounts of $4.99 or less.  Premium checks for 4-H exhibitors will be passed out at a regularly scheduled club meeting and will not be mailed this year.  And, exhibitors will also be given the choice to simply sign off and return any premiums they would have received back to the fair.