At the Dodge County Fair this year, there was fun to be had and pick to be tasted. The fair, a local yearly favorite, was back in town showcasing a cornucopia of home-pickled vegetables and canned meat — an ode to the art of preservation. Picture it: hundreds of glass jars sparkling under the exhibition hall lights, each filled with a nugget from someone’s family recipe book.
Canning and Pickling: A Step Back in Time
Nowadays we can just pop down to the supermarket for our groceries – comfortable, isn’t it? However, pickle making and canning were survival essentials in times past — modes of food storage handed down through generations. The fair brought together an amazing display of pickled veggies like cucumbers, cauliflowers — even corn! All lovingly preserved with an aromatic mix of herbs, spices along with vinegar and sometimes. sugar?
Vegetables weren’t the only stars at this show though. Picture jars packed tight with fruits like peaches, arrays of jams, as well as canned meats such as deer hot off the grill, or rather out of the can. It sounds strange but delicious don’t you think? Salsas and broths too made their appearance on stage reflecting the diverse palates among attendees.
Ashley Classen from Ames attended the fair with her daughters and mother Sharon Mueller – they are pickling royalty I kid you not! Ashley’s stories took us back to her college days when she relished her granddad’s canned deer meat (a shocker for her university roommates!). Following their forebears’ flavors indeed has a charm don’t you agree?
Ashley’s daughters also got behind their mom’s legacy and entered some jars of pickles into the competition. As Ashley quipped, “My aunt was an award-winning pickle maker. It’s in our blood!”
Canning: Survival’s Gift to Gourmet
Canning heritage dates back to times when refrigeration was a far-fetched luxury. The technique, despite being coined ‘canning’, actually refers to storing food in glass jars to prolong their shelf-life – a handy trick in winters, right? Who remembers their golden harvest from the summers gathering dust in the dank corners of cold cellars?
The lovely Lisa Schole, the Dodge County Fair’s Board president, stressed on how canning is not just a hobby but a survival toolkit when winter comes knocking. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have home-grown veggies at your disposal all year round, isn’t it?
Schole maintains this tradition of canning – rustling up her special pasta sauce, green beans and salsa – all canned and ready for consumption anytime she wants. The best part? Her mom still cans meat till date!
Canning and Pickling Contest Highlight
Katie Petersen — Scribner’s very own jar-queen submitted her pickles and canned peach jam among other exquisite entries– to the delight of others. Her little chef-in-the-making son also took part in the baked goods contest with chocolate chip cookies made with love! Like mother like son, turns out Katie’s jalapeno peppers won first place!
The exhibition was indeed an eye-opener into home canning traditions with each open-class entry revealing participants’ efforts and skill.
Dodge County Fair: Fun for All
The Dodge County fair is more than just pickle tasting – much more! Live concerts, scrumptious food experiences and events for kids – it was all spruced up for everyone to soak in and enjoy.
Fair Attractions
Carnival rides made a comeback this year to attendee’s delight – spinning back into action after a pause last year.
Kids had an adrenaline filled Saturday planned at the fair with archery, bike rodeo, tractor rides — even face painting! Now that’s a fun-packed day, isn’t it?
A night of country music held everybody captivated under the starlit skies featuring Clay Walker among performers. The best part? Kiddies below five had free entry!
The thrills of Outlaw Truck & Tractor Pull/Demolition Derby pulled in massive spectator numbers while the Sunday parade beautifully capped up the fair week — celebrating community spirit.
Delving into Local Flavors at the Fair!
The Ruskamp family from Dodge were our culinary guides at their Stormin’ Norman’s Barbecue truck. They treated us with their mouth-watering special ‘T-Rex’ sandwich — a mountain of tender meats like brisket and sausage packed together — can you imagine taking that one-bite challenge! Their sides dishes took everyone by surprise – home-cooked macaroni, cheese and coleslaw – scrumptious offerings indeed! With only three food trucks at the fair, who wouldn’t be drawn to their tent? Especially for those smoked turkey legs which went down fast among visitors.
Conclusion
The Dodge County Fair turned out as an exceptional celebration-steeped rural life and traditions. Everything from skillfully jarred vegetable pickles to local soulful beats struck just the right notes going down memory lane. The spirit and determination echoing from events almost made us grateful for microwave-free times.
