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Repeat at the fair

Same pair take top spots in steer show

By TERRI CASTELAZ, Staff Writer 5 min read

NORWAY -- Different year, same result.

For the second consecutive year, Mason Cayemberg and Chase Moraska found themselves on top of the Dickinson County Fair youth livestock market show Friday.

Cayemberg, 10, captured grand champion honors with American Made, his 1,516-pound Angus-cross steer. Moraska, 19, followed with the reserve champion award with Rex, a 1,453-pound Angus cross.

It was a repeat of last year's finishes -- but the significance was a little different for each exhibitor.

For Cayemberg, it was another big accomplishment in only his second year showing steer.

For Moraska, it was a memorable way to finish 11 years of competition at the Dickinson County Fair.

"I feel good that it's the two of us again," Cayemberg said. "I'm really excited."

"Mason's steer was very nice -- just good overall," Moraska said. "It's a very exciting year. I'm happy that we were able to get back in the box again together."

The son of Ross and Kalee Cayemberg of Vulcan purchased the young steer from Iowa in October and raised it at Red Valley Farms in Vulcan.

He said they selected the steer aiming to compete at the U.P. State Fair in Escanaba.

The judge liked several features of his Angus cross, including his muscle and bone structure along with his side profile, Cayemberg said.

"He's put together very well," he added.

He also captured grand champion showmanship honors in the juvenile division.

"He's a very well-mannered steer," Moraska said. "He's calm and doesn't get too excited -- it's been a lot of fun."

He said he spends about four hours each day working with American Made, putting in time both morning and night.

"It's a lot of work, but I really like it and it's worth it," he said.

Cayemberg also received grand champion showmanship in the juvenile class with his hog in his third year of showing. His brother, Lance, earned the reserve champion in the class with his hog.

Moraska's reserve championship carried a little extra meaning, as this was his final year showing at the Dickinson County Fair.

"It's a great way to end," he said.

The son of Dean and Gina Moraska of Vulcan has spent 11 years competing at the fair, making it to the box an additional three times that included a grand champion win.

This year, he added several more accomplishments, including grand champion showmanship in the senior division, grand champion overall showmanship and reserve champion honors in the heavyweight steer division.

Of those awards, Moraska said the showmanship title means the most.

"I feel it shows how much your hard work and dedication you put in with your animals," he said.

Rex also gave Moraska a strong performance in the ring.

"He was really smooth," Moraska said. "It went really well. I was proud of him."

Moraska purchased Rex through an online auction in Wisconsin in October 2025. The steer was then raised at Moraska Farms in Vulcan.

"He's definitely one of the more high-quality steers I've had over the years," Moraska said. "He was pretty much correct in every aspect."

Rex ended up being better than Moraska originally expected.

The judge noted the steer could have been a little smoother through the back end, but overall Moraska was pleased with the evaluation.

He said Rex's calm demeanor also made him enjoyable to work with.

On Friday, he also took grand champion with his hog and grand championship showmanship. Erica Hales took reserve champion hog.

Although Moraska's Dickinson County Fair career is over, he is not quite finished showing.

He has two more years of eligibility at the U.P. State Fair in Escanaba.

"I think I'm going to take that opportunity to try to win with a hog," he said.

Moraska said the reason he has continued to come back is simple -- he loves doing it.

Both are members of the 4-H Yooper Scoopers.

The youth market livestock auction is set to start today with small animals at 3 p.m., followed by the larger animals.

The 2026 Dickinson County Fair continues through Monday at the fairgrounds in Norway.

2026 Dickinson County Fair schedule

TODAY: Agriculture Day

Fair entries, judging and activities

-- 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

Fair entries, judging and activities

-- 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

Fair entries, judging and activities

-- 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)

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

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