St. John Community Fair and Stock Show proceeds

ST. JOHN — The St. John Community Fair is happening Thursday, April 20, through Sunday, April 23; this year’s theme is “Every Barn Has a Memory.”

St. John Community Fair Board Chairperson Erica Willson stated that the Fairboard and Community Club of the annual community fair and stock show wants to continue the community fair tradition and enhance the experience.

Willson explained that they’re bringing back the pre-community fair kid’s crafts with flowers and using weeds for flower arrangements.

“We’re looking at this as part of an agriculture experience, too,” she said, adding that the kids will work with a teacher to do art with grain.

This year’s entries new to the St. John fair are the craft beer and wine entries, including homemade wine and craft beer making.

The theme Every Barn Has a Memory includes displays of barns from the area.

“I’ve been connecting with some of the former showmen from St. John,” Willson said, adding that vintage photos of past showmen and their families’ memories will be on display.

“It’s been fun reconnecting with community members,” Willson added.

In honor of the theme, they will host their first livestock showing contest for the parents of current 4H and FFA members.

Willson added that other communities from the county’s west side also show livestock at the St. John community fair, including Lacrosse.

On Saturday, they also have a horse show and parade community parade on Main Street at noon Saturday, April 22.

This year’s St. John Fair Grand Marshall for the parade is Randy Repp of St. John.

A longtime community member, and supporter of 4H, Repp has served 4H in multiple capacities, including 4H boards, and has served as a 4H board of trustees, Willson explained.

Repp received a state 4H alum recognition award in 1981 and served on the state 4H fair board. Repp was also a 4H livestock leader when St. John had the largest 4H club in the state.

“Randy worked directly with 4H members and was just there to help them learn how to show,” Willson said, adding that he provided support and was there to help them.

“There’s a lot of people in the area that went to Randy Repp when they wanted to know about steers,” Willson added.

Sunday, there’s an open horse show, and then there’s pig put at the St. John golf course.

Cowboy church will occur on Sunday, April 23, at the fairgrounds.

Willson stated that if anyone has questions about entering the St. John Community Fair, email [email protected] or look up the Fair’s Facebook page.