Folks flock to Floyd County Fair

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

The smoke wafting into the air was a surefire signal on Saturday at the Floyd County Fair.

It was a message, all right — that it’s time to eat.

The smell of beef grilling, the sound of music and folks having a good time were all part of what has been another successful go-round this year for fair lovers.

Sunday marked the last official day of the 2018 Floyd County Fair, but Saturday was a day to celebrate, take in the warm summer sun, and dance the night away.

The Parrots of the Caribbean — billed as the No. 1 Jimmy Buffet tribute band in the country — provided the music.

The Floyd County Cattlemen’s Association was just one of many options for food that hungry fairgoers could sink their teeth into.

And the demolition derby at the grandstands provided the punch and car-jarring action that has been a staple of the fair for years.

For many who put in long hours of hard work all week at the fair, Saturday was a chance sit back and relax.

But the real question was, just how hungry has Floyd County been at the fair?

Matt Hoeft had an answer.

“We did over 1,200 sandwiches on Friday,” said Hoeft, a board member of the Floyd County Cattlemen’s Association.

That number had a good chance to get topped on Saturday as the crowd continued to grow as the evening went on.

“It’s nice to get out on a beautiful night,” said Hoeft, a 1993 Charles City High School grad who has been a past president of the Floyd County Cattlemen’s Association.

Hoeft’s main concern was not getting the grill too hot — keeping the fire just right. There weren’t any pork or burger “casualties” on Hoeft’s grill, but he couldn’t speak for the other grill that was fired up doing ribeyes.

“We have not lost anything to the fire gods,” said a smiling Hoeft.

The money raised during the fair by the Cattlemen’s Association helps with youth projects in the county and promotes the beef industry in general.