Wilhelm: Remembering the fair from 50 years ago

It’s time for the Sandusky County Fair again. Throughout more than the next week, the fairgrounds will be full of people, animals, activities and entertainment. It has been like that for more than a century and a half.

If you look back a half century to 1973, on this date, it was primarily a time for final preparations. The fair itself didn’t start until more than a week later.

Official opening day that year was Thursday, Aug. 30, and the fair continued until Sept. 3, which was Labor Day. The evening entertainment at the grandstands included Stoney Roberts Demolition Derby; Guy and Ralna of "The Lawrence Welk Show"; stock car races; Billy Walker, the Tall Texan, country show; and the Auto Daredevils Thrill Show.

Actually, the first major event of the fair was the Triangle G Saddle Club Horse Show which attracted nearly 200 entries. It was held on Wednesday the day before the official opening of the fair and provided a good lead into the coming activities by including about two dozen different winners.

Lawrence Welk duo were big draw at fair 50 years ago

According to newspaper accounts, the Friday night show featuring Guy and Ralna of "The Lawrence Welk Show" was a big draw to the grandstands. The show reportedly attracted about 4,000 people. The News-Messenger reported that “Guy’s leg-shaking version of Elvis Presley brought many cheers from the grandstand crowd who equally appreciated Ralna’s donkey calls and fiddling.”

According to Fair Manager Clayton Tooley, the hot weather might have had a negative impact on the fair’s attendance which was down almost 7,000 people for its run compared to the previous year. Every day of the 121st fair was hot and humid with temperatures registering 90 degrees daily and high humidity making it uncomfortable.The newspaper reported that extra precautions were taken at the grounds to protect the animals. Additional water supplies were provided and other health guarding measures were taken.

Despite the heat, a demonstration by the Fremont Karate Club drew several hundred spectators in front of the dining hall as club members demonstrated several moves and stunts.

This year's fair kicks off Saturday with the grand opening Monday

Hot or cold, wet or dry, this year’s fair is unofficially underway. The scheduled events for this year’s fair began today with the official grand opening set for Monday morning.

Grandstand events for this year’s event ware to include Fremont Speedway races on Monday; the Tri-State mini tractor pull on Tuesday; chicken, lamb and calf scramble on Wednesday; the Broken Horn Rodeo on Thursday; a LANCO concert on Friday and the always popular demolition derby on Saturday.

LANCO is an American country music band. Signed to Riser House Records, the LANCO name is short for Lancaster and Company. It has had a number of popular songs released.

Join the fun and see some friends, old and new, at this year’s Sandusky County Fair.

Roy Wilhelm started a 40-year career at The News-Messenger in 1965 as a reporter. Now retired, he writes a column for both The News-Messenger and News Herald.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Wilhelm: Guy and Ralna from 'Lawrence Welk Show' were a fair hit in '73