New foods and attractions draw crowds to Bollinger County Fair

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The scent of barbecue wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of hot grease that produces corndogs and funnel cakes. Food permeated the atmosphere of the Bollinger County Fair on Saturday. The smell of popcorn blended with the fragrance of hamburgers, and fairgoers indulged in deep-fried Oreos and, new this year, chocolate-covered bacon.

"Chocolate and bacon actually do go together," said Tammy Whitney of Marble Hill. "I'll try anything made with bacon."

"It's the best of both worlds," Whitney said.

The theme of this year's fair, "Health and Fitness," managed to co-exist with the hot grease and sugary cotton candy. As a token nod toward the theme, the Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce gave away apples at its booth.

If fair food didn't lure visitors to Bollinger County, new features did. Professor Farquar and his Traveling Medicine Show drew crowds of spectators Friday and Saturday, and were a hit with children and adults.

Strongman Steve Schmidt, a farmer from Leslie, Mo., who developed his strength without the use of performance-enhancing drugs, lifted an anvil with his teeth, bent iron bars into pretzel shapes and broke a wrench in two with his bare hands, among other feats of strength.

The Rawhide and Dusty show was another new attraction this year, one that brought the definition of "extreme" to rodeo, and thrilled the audience with what horses are capable of doing.

Young girls participating in the first Miss Bollinger County Fair pageant donned camouflage jackets over their gowns to keep warm until it was time for them to appear on stage. Girls younger than 3 and teenagers wowed the audience with their poise and beauty.

"It's the biggest fair crowd I've ever seen," said Ron Lutes, chairman of the Bollinger County Fair Board.

Other visitors were happy to see their favorite attractions return. The working cow dog show brought in some dedicated fans Friday and Saturday. The kiddie tractor pull is a favorite of those age 4 and older and gave the youngsters a glimpse into what comes next: the hot rod tractor pull. Eddie Cook brought back his antique car show, with more cars than ever before.

For Christy Arnzen, the Bollinger County Fair is a family tradition.

"I was born and raised here," Arnzen said. "This is an event we don't miss."

Arnzen, her two girls and her aunt, Pam Lindley, all involved with Girl Scouts, were packing up their daisy-decorated ATV -- featuring the Daisy Scout troop -- that they rode in the parade, and were headed toward the fairgrounds. The girls said they were ready for rides and candy.

"This was the best parade we have had in years," Lindley said. "There was a great turnout."

Jody McCormick watched the parade while swirling chocolate and caramel onto apples and decorating them with candies and nuts. McCormick plans to open a bakery and café next to the Wicecarver Store, and this was the first time she worked from the location. She said she plans to offer candied apples at the store during the fall, along with other seasonal goodies.

"It was wonderful," she said of the parade. "My kids really enjoyed it."

While she sold her apples and helped customers make their own candied apples while visitors wandered in and out of the Wicecarver Store, her children and her husband went off to the fair.

"My husband is interested in seeing the car show," she said. "I'm looking forward to seeing everything."