And I Say to Myself, What a Wonderful Fair

This letter to the editor, by Joyce Santo, appeared in the Hudson Star Observer on July 31, 2025.

The St. Croix County Fair in Glenwood City last week reminded me of what a wonderful community event it is. Let me start with the focus on children and youth. In addition to spending months raising and tending their animals, the kids entering projects to be judged gain experience talking to fair-goers about their project and showing their animal in front of an audience. They build valuable life lessons through dedicated effort, winning with humility, losing with grace and learning resilience through both. It was a treat to see well behaved small groups of teens and tweens checking out exhibits unsupervised and a tribute to the reputation of the fair being a safe place.

I spent several days at the fair and visited the 4H food booth every day. The kids were great, again gaining valuable skills, interacting with customers, taking orders and handling money. Similarly, the Glenwood City Royalty were busy serving up delicious ice cream in the back corner of the Commercial Building. I chose the Queen’s Choice four times. A tip for next year: Visit the ice cream stand and check out the chicken sandwich and brats at the 4H building. Outstanding and the best deals at the fair.

I was one of the volunteers staffing the St. Croix County Democrats booth in the Commercial Building. Every year, we plan activities to learn from the people of St. Croix County. This year we invited children and youth to describe how, if they had a superpower, they would change the world. It was heartwarming to read the responses, many focusing on world hunger, health, safety and opportunity. The parents of St. Croix County kids are doing a good job of raising children who care about others. We thank the many adult fairgoers who shared their thoughts on concerns they have and what they want to have happen. We are listening.