Fair volunteers keep tradition alive

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By David Heitz | Friday, August 1, 2008 10:50 PM CDT | () comments

A self-proclaimed “4-H girl,” 75-year-old Lois Schurr of Le Claire, Iowa, has seen many Mississippi Valley Fairs in her day.

As a child, she would show animals and enter other competitions. Back then, she said, there were no daredevil acts, and the rides were “mediocre.”

A lot has changed.

Now, she said, the fair is “getting bigger and better all of the time.” What’s more, she has been a part of its success and does not get paid a cent for it.

Although some people may think volunteers tend to perform minor tasks, Schurr, who has volunteered at the fair since 1984, has made some major contributions.

“When I started, the fair was in a real slump,” said Schurr, whose husband, Bill, serves on the fair’s board of directors. “A bunch of us decided to start some new programs.”

She began to organize activities in the Starlite ballroom for children. They could play farm trivia games and learn about agriculture, for example.

“They all got participation ribbons and felt like they really did something at the fair,” she said. “I outgrew that, and then we came up with the idea for Kid’s Day and Senior’s Day, and that went over very well.”

From there, Schurr helped organize a day for people with special needs.

“For some people, that’s their only outing,” Schurr said. “It’s so gratifying to be able to do something for them.”

Now, Schurr runs the Heritage House at the fair. The Heritage House, circa 1919, was one of the original buildings at the fairgrounds. She has helped transform it into a 1930s-era gathering place featuring old-fashioned crafts. This weekend, Schurr is overseeing the preparation of 100 meals per day for those who exhibit their wares there.

Fair director Bob Fox said that without the help of approximately 300 volunteers like Schurr, the fair would not be possible.

“I’d have to find 300 competent people to help me,” he said. “They do a lot of work, half of which I would not have the knowledge to do.”

Fox said Schurr is a hard worker. “She always is coming up with ideas, which I let her run with. Sometimes, she has too many ideas, and we can’t do them all.”

Although the Mississippi Valley Fair constantly is evolving, one thing hasn’t changed much in many years — the volunteers. Now, the group is aging, Fox said.

“Not only are the volunteers getting older, but 4-H, which provides many volunteers, also is an issue because there are fewer and fewer farms,” he said. “We’re trying to find young blood.”

David Heitz can be contacted at (563) 383-2202 or dheitz@qctimes.com.

FORECAST

It should be a great day for spending some time at the fair. The weather will be sunny with a forecast high of 86 degrees.

TODAY’S FAIR SCHEDULE

11 a.m.: Carnival opens; Monkeys on the Midway opens

Noon: Apple pie auction, Keppy Hall

12:30 p.m.: Wild West Follies, near towers

1 p.m.: Great Cats of the World, across from towers

2 p.m.: Backseat driving contest, Heritage Village; apple peeling

contest, Heritage House

3 p.m.: Watermelon seed spitting contest, Heritage House

4:30 p.m.: Jim Bob’s Jamboree, Genesis Variety Tent

7 p.m.: The Diamonds, Kimberly Dodge Oldies Stage

8 p.m.: Darryl Worley, grandstand

9 p.m.: The Diamonds, Kimberly Dodge Oldies Stage

IF YOU GO

What: Mississippi Valley Fair

When: Through Sunday

Where: 2815 W. Locust St., Davenport

How much: $40 for a Fun Card, which includes grandstand admission for the week; daily admission is $8 for adults, $3 for ages 4 to 12

Information: (563) 326-5338 or MVFair.com

Grandstand acts (all at 8 p.m.): Darryl Worley, today; Ronnie Milsap, Sunday