Newcomers welcome at Dickinson County Fair’s horseshoe tourney

NORWAY -- The Dickinson County Fair in Norway has offered plenty of competition for decades, but few events have a history as long-standing as the horseshoe tournament.

This year, organizers Jerry Truitt of Vulcan and Alan Girard of Norway are hoping to see both seasoned throwers and newcomers step into the pits on Saturday.

The tournament, which has been part of the fair since its early days, will feature an A and B Class competition. The A will be designated for experienced players, with B Class for "weekend warriors" -- beginners looking to give the sport a try.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, with singles competition starting at about 11 a.m. Doubles will follow, and those interested only in doubles can arrive around noon.

There is no registration fee, and the tournament is open to everyone with no age limit.

Truitt said both women and youth are welcome to throw at 10 feet if they are unable to make the distance of the regular court length.

Truitt and Girard, both members of the Felch Horseshoe League, also compete in the Stephenson League.

They have seen the sport change over the years, including a decline in the number of league players. "Many leagues are slowly dissolving, including Kingsford," said Truitt.

At one time, the Felch league had great numbers.

"We used to have at least 40 members in Felch and if you didn't get there early you didn't have a pit to throw," Truitt said. "Stephenson is still doing quite well."

Although they have seen lower numbers in the past few years at the fair tournament, they still get a few A players traveling from out of town each year.

Truitt noted that the A class is made up of players who regularly compete in a league.

The fairgrounds has eight horseshoe pits located near the top entrance gate.

In years past, Girard said, there were enough competitors to host a two-day tournament, with singles on Saturday and doubles on Sunday.

Today, the organizers are focused on keeping the tradition going and encouraging new players to participate.

Because the pits sit unused for most of the year, getting them ready for competition takes considerable work, Girard said.

Saturday's tournament is expected to conclude around 4:30 p.m.

FAIR OPENS TODAY

The Dickinson County Fair officially opens at 5 p.m. today, with a full slate of activities planned to get the week underway.

Exhibitor Day highlights the opening, while the Wumpa and local truck pulls will kick off the grandstand entertainment at 6 p.m.

The Skerbeck Carnival will run from 4 to 11 p.m. for bracelet night.

Bingo will be offered from 6 to 9 p.m. in the administration building, while the exhibition building will be open from 4 to 10 p.m.

Fairgoers can also catch the breeding livestock show from noon to 4:30 p.m

The fair will run through 5 p.m. Monday.

Gates will open at 9 a.m. each day. Admission is $8 daily, with a weekly pass available for $25. Monday admission is $2.

A full schedule follows:

TODAY: Exhibitor Day

-- 8:30 a.m.: Rabbit judging starts

-- Noon to 4:30 p.m.: Breeding livestock show

-- 4 to 10 p.m.: Exhibition building open

-- Still exhibit judging expected to conclude in the afternoon

Midway and grandstand events

-- 4 to 11 p.m.: Carnival opens, bracelet night

-- 5 p.m.: Fair official opening

-- 6 to 9 p.m.: Bingo (administration building)

-- 6 p.m.: WUMPA and Local Truck Pull

FRIDAY: Youth Day

-- 7 a.m. to noon: All youth and open dairy entries

-- 8:30 a.m.: Poultry judging starts

-- 8:30 a.m.: Judging (except those listed)

-- 10 a.m.: Youth market livestock show (beef, swine, sheep and goats)

-- 1 to 10 p.m.: Exhibition building open

-- 1:30 p.m.: Draft horse show

Midway and grandstand events

-- 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Bingo (administration building)

-- 1 to 11 p.m.: Carnival opens, bracelet day

-- 3 p.m.: Dove release (near poultry barn)

-- 6 to 11 p.m.: Diann Gendron Memorial free music concert, featuring Next Myle (50-50 drawing during event)

SATURDAY: Agriculture Day

-- 11 a.m.: Dairy judging

-- 11 a.m.; Horseshoe Pitch, singles and doubles

-- 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.: Exhibition building open

-- 3 p.m.: Small animal auction

-- Following small animals, about 4 p.m.: Youth livestock auction

Midway and grandstand events

-- 11 a.m.: Pony Pull, with Draft Horse Pulls to follow

-- 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Bingo (administration building)

-- Noon to 3 p.m.: Crystal and Dawn (Wally Bouchey pavilion)

-- 1 to 11 p.m.: Carnival opens

-- 3 p.m.: Dove release (near poultry barn)

-- 7 p.m.: Demolition Derby

SUNDAY: Race Day

-- 9 a.m.: Pleasure horse show

-- 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.: Exhibition building open

-- Noon: Horse speed events, or at the conclusion of the horse show

Midway and grandstand events

-- 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Bingo (administration building)

-- Noon to 3 p.m.: Larry and Cheryl Pepin (Wally Bouchey pavilion)

-- 1 to 11 p.m.: Carnival opens

-- 3 p.m.: Dove release (near poultry barn)

-- 4 p.m.: Labor Day “100” Race (Presented by the Dickinson County Racing Association)

MONDAY: Senior Day

-- 8 a.m.: Dickinson County Fun Horse Show registration

-- 9 a.m.: Dickinson County Fun Horse Show

-- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Exhibition building open

-- 5 p.m.: Exhibits released

Midway and grandstand events

-- 10 a.m.: Tractor pulls

-- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Bingo (administration building)

-- Noon to 5 p.m.: Carnival opens, rides are $1.25 each fair special

-- Noon to 3 p.m.: Paul D (Wally Bouchey pavilion)

-- 3 p.m.: Dove release (near poultry barn)

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772 ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.