The temperature stood at 93 degrees during the afternoon. With no rain and more Iowans getting vaccinated from COVID-19, turnout was favorable.

It represented one of the first large-scale events in the Fort Dodge area since the pandemic started about 16 months ago.

Polecat Annie and Professor Farquar were dressed for the occasion — a roaring 1920s theme.

“We do 1800s primarily,” said Annie. “We’ll zip up to the 1920s every now and again.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Ian Hanna, 7, of Humboldt, prepares to throw a tomahawk during Frontier Days on Saturday at the Fort Museum and Frontier Village.

Music, magic and juggling are a few of their specialties.

The couple from Concordia, Missouri, are in their 35th season on the road.

“What I love the most are the kids,” Annie said. “Being able to teach them something like juggling. They have to think and move. I like Iowa because people will engage in the activities.”

When it comes to juggling, Annie starts them out slow.

“I start off with the basic juggling and go from there,” she said. “It’s been great today. Kids are involved.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Lori Davis, left, and Kim Cote, both of Fort Dodge, give arm wrestling a whirl inside the Opera House during Frontier Days Saturday on the grounds of the Fort Museum and Frontier Village. Cote warned Davis not to brag about her skills on Facebook. Austen DeSchamp, of Ferguson, looks on. He, along with his grandmother, Lee Ann Krough, organized the arm wrestling competition.

Juggling sticks is a little trickier.

“I’ve been addicted to these sticks for 30 years,” Annie said.

She also teaches children how to throw a lasso.

Elsewhere on the Fort Museum grounds, the buckskinners camp was back.

Ian Hanna, 7, of Humboldt, was getting in some practice throwing a tomahawk.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Brayden Danielson, of Callender, prepares to arm wrestle Saturday inside the Opera House on the grounds of the Fort Museum and Frontier Village.

He experienced a few misses, but eventually found the mark.

“He’s still learning,” said Big Horn, of Humboldt.

He refers to Hanna as “Little Horn.”

Big Horn has been setting up at Frontier Days for many years.

“I’ve been doing this 45 years,” he said.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Sandhill Kid, right, and Doc perform at the Fort Museum Saturday during Frontier Days.

His favorite aspect?

“The public has been great,” he said.

Inside, the Opera House offered a chance to cool down. That is unless you were arm wrestling.

That’s where Lee Ann Krough, of Ferguson, also known as Mother Monster, came in.

She’s a two-time Iowa state arm wrestling champion, an Illinois state champion and Nebraska state champion. She’s also won four national arm wrestling titles.

“I could break your thumb with one move,” she said.

Fortunately, for everyone involved, the arm wrestling machine used in the competition didn’t involve linking hands.

“You don’t have to touch,” she said.

Monster Arm Wrestling has been at the Iowa State Fair for over 40 years.

“That was the machine made for the 1978 fair,” Krough said.

Krough’s grandson Austen DeSchamp, of Ferguson, was there to show participants the ropes.

“I’ve been doing it my whole life,” said the 25-year-old. “The machine makes it an even playing ground. Wrist wrestling has a lot of variations.”

In arm wrestling, age doesn’t matter. The tournament is based on weight class.

“We had two 13-year-old girls that went all the way and won the state fair a few years ago,” he said.

Of course, participants are always going to look for an advantage. But DeSchamp said points are lost if people don’t play fair.

“If you want to wrestle, wrestle on the floor. This is civilized,” he said with a smile.

Lori Davis and Kim Cote, both of Fort Dodge, thought they’d give it a try.

Even though the table lit up, signaling a winner, Cote was quick to point out a flaw.

“She used two hands,” he said.

“Don’t brag about this on Facebook,” he added.

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