My fair lady

55 years with the Goshen County Fair

Crystal R. Albers
Posted 7/21/17

“I can’t remember life without 4-H.” That’s a direct quote from a Goshen County woman who’s devoted 55 years to local youth clubs and the annual fair.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

My fair lady

55 years with the Goshen County Fair

Posted

GOSHEN COUNTY – “I can’t remember life without 4-H.” That’s a direct quote from a Goshen County woman who’s devoted 55 years to local youth clubs and the annual fair.
Donna Peterson was born and raised in Lusk. She spent 11 years involved with 4-H in Niobrara County, eventually moving to this area in 1959.
“My husband was from Prairie Center,” Peterson said. “We moved down here to the farm, had a new baby and some involvement at home, but in 1962, I got back into 4-H by becoming a 4-H leader – this is my 55th year (in Goshen County).”
Peterson was recruited as Goshen County 4-H leader largely due to her experience with leathercraft, although she also participated in sewing, gardening, sheep showing and home beautification during her time as a 4-H member.
“I won a couple of state honors, and got to go to Chicago to National Congress in 1958,” Peterson said. “I won state in home beautification in 1959. I won an Elgin (brand) wristwatch, and it was Mrs. Elgin who sponsored the gift.”
Peterson earned the watch – which she said she still has today, but no longer wears – by landscaping her home.

“I grew flowers and planted trees and put a fence around the yard,” she explained.
In Goshen County, Peterson has won several sweepstakes awards for her photography, and used to compete against one of her sons in the homemade cookie category.
“He beat me a couple times, and he doesn’t let me forget it,” she said.
Peterson has plenty of fond family memories of the fair – including some now-discontinued events.
“I remember my husband and I took part in the blindfold lawnmower race,” she said. “He was blindfolded, and I was directing him. That was a lot of fun – probably 15, 20 years ago.”
Through the years, Peterson was responsible for starting the dog show at the fair, as well as the cat show, for which she currently acts as superintendent.
“I started the cat project in 1990 – got it going as a state project,” she said. “We had piloted the project for about three years before we got it sanctioned at state.”
Peterson said she misses the big, wooden grandstands, but still loves volunteering at the fairgrounds every year.
“I help with the art association’s booth and art display,” she said. “You get to see all your friends and neighbors, people you haven’t seen for quite a while, and you get to visit. I especially like the displays in the Ag Building – I like to see the talent on display.
“Vendors are always fun to go around and visit their booths,” she continued. “And it’s nice to see families come with their little tykes. It’s just fun to sit and watch them sometimes.
“I think (the fair) is a tradition, and I think tradition is important. The displays are up and down –– some years there’s more than others. It depends on the weather, I think … but the fair has just been a wonderful experience, something I look forward to in the summertime.”