As anyone who lives around Fort Dodge knows, the annual Webster County Fair is something special.

A group that specializes in county fairs has now recognized that, and has honored the local fair.

The Webster County Fair was recently named a 2022 Blue Ribbon Fair by the Association of Iowa Fairs. That award recognizes the event for its service to the community and area youth, and for the high caliber of volunteers who put on the fair every year. Only six fairs get this honor each year.

The association was exactly right when it noted the excellent work done by the volunteers. Quite simply, the fair would not happen without the volunteers. And there are a lot of them. The roster includes fair board members, 4-H clubs, FFA chapters, members of various farm and commodity groups and people who just love the fair. They all work together to make the fair the fun and memorable experience that it is.

Young people showing their animals and their many other projects remain the heart of the fair. There are also exhibits of farm machinery. Plus there is food – think sweet corn and watermelon – carnival games, live entertainment and music. That all adds up to one fun, full week at the fair.

All of that is possible because of the hard work of the volunteers.

When current Fair Manager Heather Stewart joined the fair board about five years ago, she set a goal of getting the Blue Ribbon Award.

“I told the board that that’s going to be us someday. We will get that award,” she told The Messenger.

She was right.

We congratulate all who made this recognition possible.

We’re also already thinking about more fun at the fair, which will be July 12-16 this year.