The first winner of a free bicycle was Zuri Finnicum, 10.5 years old, from Albany, IL. On Tuesday, August 17, 2021, she attended the first day of the Sesquicentennial Fair with step-father Adam Wickes. Zuri’s mother is Samantha Finnicum. Farmers National Bank, 1100 E. Lincolnway, Morrison, sponsored the bike.
In the Rock River Valley Co-Op Arena south of the Grandstand, the Western Horse Show began at 9:00 a.m., on Tuesday, August 17, 2021. There were 26 classes and 114 entries. Western Horse Speed Events would begin at the same time on Wednesday, August 18, before the Grandstand. Show Superintendent is WHOA (White Oaks Therapeutic Equestrian Center.) Premiums for the Show total $4171. Premiums of $3045 were be offered to Speed Event winners in six, fast-paced classes: Youth Barrels, Whiteside County Barrels, and Open 4D Barrels; Open 3D Barrel Race; Open Pole and Open Flag races.
Open Pony (under 56″ tall) Halter class winners were Prophetstown, IL, girls: left, 2nd place Mae Konie, 6, and 1st place Violet Frank, 7. “Those ponies are behaving. The kids did a good job,” said Announcer Jill Miller of Milledgville, IL. Judge Mike Steward is from Wyoming, IA.
Tawny Wiersema (WHOA) reported, “Entries are about the same amount [as past years.] They are very nice quality horses, mostly American Quarter Horses. Sometimes Morgans and Arabs [enter].” WHOA volunteers recorded entries, presented ribbons, and awarded premiums. Left-to-right are, seated, Jen Black and Jane Hoffman; standing, Kloee Snyder, Kelly Snyder, Wiersema, and Dan Eads.
Eleven variegated equines are from the Color Breed Halter class, also called “A Horse of a Different Color.” Many sported luxurious tail “extensions!”
Kids love the Grandpa Cratchet Stage Show.
The Whiteside County Central Agricultural Society Officers presented a plaque to the 2021 Friend of the Fair “Corndog Billy.” Click here to read about William McKinney Fickling.
Next Level Bull Riding returned to the Fair with bold, quality contestants. The Grandstand show began on the infield with a prayer from the announcer; singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Elizabeth Yaklich; the American flag carried around the perimeter by a female on horseback. Several young men stayed atop huge, gyrating, off-the-ground, annoyed beasts, during “the most dangerous eight seconds in sports.” When they did not fall off immediately, the crowd cheered loud encouragement to hold on!
21-10 / PEDAL PULL 1
The first of two Kids’ Pedal Pulls helped kick-off the 150th Annual Whiteside County Fair. Winners from a field of 67 competitors were thrilled after some outstanding pulls. Pedal Pull excitement continues on Saturday at noon. All towns are in Illinois unless noted.
TWO WHEEL DRIVE
Four Years Old and Under
1. Remrey Sandrock, Deer Grove Full Pull Full Pull
2. Grady Wiersema, Morrison Full Pull 24 ft 10 in
3. Cayson Deets, Morrison Full Pull 23 ft 6 in
Five Years Old
1. Maverick Tucker, Morrison Full Pull 25 ft
2. Eli Hill, Morrison Full Pull 24 ft 11 in
3. Zoey Hill, Morrison 25 ft
Six Years Old
1. Aiden Nusbaum, Sterling Full Pull Full Pull
2. Euston Decker, Morrison Full Pull 38 ft 5 in
3. Collin Wiersema, Morrison Full Pull 38 ft 4 in
Seven Years Old
1. Alyssa Temple, Fulton Full Pull
2. Lewis Waterhouse, Gladstone, MO 33 ft 11 in
3. Kuilee Bielema, Morrison 33 ft
Eight Years Old
1. Buck hill, Morrison Full Pull
2. Leslie Shaffer, Chicago 33 ft 5 in
3. Kennick Meyer, DeWitte, IA 25 ft 8 in
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE
Nine and Ten Years Old
1. Jack Sandrock, Deer Grove Full Pull Full Pull
2. Halle Schoefer, Morrison Full Pull 38 ft 7 in
3. Emmeline Rider, Morrison 38 ft 5 in
Eleven and Twelve Years Old
1. Elinana Huisinah, Fulton 38 ft 6 in
2. Cooper Wiersema, Morrison 37 ft 9 in
3. Caleb Carroll, Morrison 33 ft 7 in
21-11 / JUNIOR SWINE
Tyler D Halll of Monroe Center took Champion Single Barrow, Champion Gilt, and Reserve Pair of Barrows at the Junior Swine Show. Towns are in Illinois unless noted.
HONORS
Champion Single Barrow (Trophy by Mickley/Sandrock Insurance, Morrison)
Tyler D Halll, Monroe Center with Light Weight
Reserve Single Barrow
Josh Dobbels, Cambridge with Heavy Weight
Champion Gilt
Tyler D Halll, Monroe Center with Medium Weight
Reserve Gilt
Shelby Taylor, Calamus, IA, with Heavy Weight
Champion Pair of Barrows
Alyssa Miller, Lanark with Heavy Weight
Reserve Pair of Barrows
Tyler D Halll, Monroe Center with Light Weight
SHOWMANSHIP
Senior Showmanship (14-18), Sponsored by Birkey’s Equipment, Prophetstown
Alyssa Miller, Lanark
Junior Showmanship (8-13), Sponsored by Kyle Miller Memorial
Shelby Taylor, Calamus, IA
Pee Wee Showmanship (7 and Under)
Jocelyn Ruppert, Elliana Schultz, Tenley Pruett
JUNIOR BARROWS
Junior Light Barrow
1. Tyler D Halll, Monroe Center; 2. Tyler D Halll, Monroe Center; 3. Megan Peterson, Galesburg
Junior Medium Barrow
1. Alyssa Miller, Lanark; 2. Megan Peterson, Galesburg; 3. Alyssa Miller, Lanark
Junior Heavy Barrow
1. Josh Dobbels, Cambridge; 2. Megan Peterson, Galesburg; 3. Alyssa Miller, Lanark
Junior Reserve Barrow
1. Josh Dobbels, Cambridge
Junior Champion Barrow
1. Tyler D Halll, Monroe Center
JUNIOR GILTS
Junior Light Gilt
1. Shelby Taylor, Calamus, IA; 2. Tyler D Halll, Monroe Center; 3. Tyler D Halll, Monroe Center
Junior Medium Gilt
1. Tyler D Halll, Monroe Center; 2. Parker Lindskog, Prophetstown; 3. Tyler D Halll, Monroe Center
Junior Heavy Gilt
1. Shelby Taylor, Calamus, IA; 2. Bailey Roselieb, Annawan
Junior Reserve Gilt
1. Shelby Taylor, Calamus, IA
Junior Champion Gilt
1. Tyler D Halll, Monroe Center
JUNIOR PAIRS
Junior Light Pair
1. Tyler D Halll, Monroe Center; 2. Alyssa Miller, Lanark; 3. Bailey Roselieb, Annawan
Junior Heavy Pair
1. Alyssa Miller, Lanark; 2. Megan Peterson, Galesburg; 3. Megan Peterson, Galesburg
Junior Reserve Pair
1. Tyler D Halll, Monroe Center
Junior Champion Pair
1. Alyssa Miller, Lanark
SHOWMANSHIP
Junior Showmanship, Kyle Miller Memorial
1. Shelby Taylor, Calamus, IA
Senior Showmanship, Birkey’s Equipment, Prophetstown
1. Alyssa Miller, Lanark; 2. Megan Peterson, Galesburg
