Humboldt Co. Fair features fierce paintball competition
Teams compete for trophies, cashBy DON COGGER, Messenger staff writer
Article Photos
HUMBOLDT - At first glance, members of the paintball teams competing at the Humboldt County Fair seem like decent guys.
Once the games start, however, all bets are off. And when the paint starts flying, no one is safe.
That includes a certain Messenger staff writer and his camera.
Collateral damage aside, teams from around the state showed up at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds in Humboldt Saturday, looking to establish themselves as the top team at the fair. Competition may be fierce, but all teams are committed to safety and sportsmanship.
''This is the third year we've had this event at the fair, and it's growing every year,'' said Jeff Haselhuhn, vice president of the Humboldt County Fair Board. ''We've got trophies down to three places, plus the team that wins first place will win $200, second place gets $100 and third place gets $50. Safety is always a priority, and the teams we get adhere to that''
Teams of up to five members paid $10 a piece for a shot at the big prize, one of the highlights of Saturday's activities.
Other events included a mud volleyball tournament, horseshoes and plenty of 4-H and FFA exhibits.
This year also marked a switch from the usual carnival rides for kids to inflatables, manned by the local drill team. The move was made to offer a safe, fun environment for kids, as well as attract local food vendors.
Leroy and Sharon Hanson, from Livermore, operate a funnel cake stand called Fabulous Funnels. A school teacher at Twin River Valley High School, Sharon Hanson, said this year is the first they've had the stand parked for the whole fair; the switch to inflatables made that possible.
''Most teachers have a summer job, and this became something my husband and I could do together,'' Hanson said. ''We were fortunate that the fair switched to the inflatables this year, because in the past, the carnivals have had exclusive rights to funnel cakes. Now that the carnival is gone, we were able to be here.''
Hanson said that the fair board has had problems the last few years with the carnivals brought in, prompting the change. Change, in this case, was good, allowing local vendors to be recruited and giving the local drill team a chance to make a little money.
''We've asked people how they like the inflatables, and the response has been positive,'' Hanson said. ''The ones that are truly concerned about safety really like them.''
The fair runs through the weekend, with plenty of events and activities on tap for today, including a Moto-Cross race and freestyle show at noon and The Tough Truck Challenge at 7 p.m. For those looking to channel their destructive side, a monster truck will also be on hand to do a little damage.
''Events like these bring a lot of young people to the fair, and that's the audience we need to bring in if e fair is going to survive,'' Haselhuhn said. ''I mean, we're going to have a monster truck come out and crush a school bus and a bunch of cars. Who doesn't love that?''
The monster truck show will be followed by a fireworks display, a fitting ending to another successful fair.
''It's going to be a lot of fun, and folks that don't make the trip will be missing out,'' Haselhuhn said.
Contact Don Cogger at (515) 573-2141 or dcogger@messengernews.net
