Summerfest Countdown

The countdown to Summerfest begins. August 13 and 14th, clear your calendar and come to Band Shell Park. Friday night is Teen Dance Night featuring DJ Shel-Shock. Saturday night the Whitesidewalls bring you the rock ‘n roll revue for your listening and dancing pleasure.

Some of the local acts include: Bailey Condon Singing Sensation, the Ben Ady Band, Tina Deardeuff Tie Dye Butterfly, Tiffany Spurgeon Classics to Pop, and Yupitsa Polka Band.

You can purchase wristbands early for the Inflatable Rides at Center One. Wristbands will be available later this week. One is $20, or three for $50. This wristband is good for both days and only available for both days if you purchase it early. Monkey Mountain, Climbing Wall, Kids Bounce, Bungee Run, Obstacle Course, Inflata Hoops – those are just a few of the inflatable games that may be at Summerfest. Rest assured the kids will love them and spend hours enjoying them.

Farmers Market will be open, there’s a Dunk Tank, Hampton Jaycees Bingo, Pedal Pull and an ice cream eating contest. KLMJ Tractor Ride will also make an appearance! The downtown stores are also having sidewalk sales on Saturday for your shopping pleasure.

A new addition this year is the Antique and Unique Lawn Mower Show on Saturday the 14th. Now is your opportunity to showcase your old or unique lawnmower. Registration is Saturday from noon to 2 with judging at 4 p.m. Todd Mollenbeck is the organizer and welcomes your phone calls at 641-579-6306.

The 50/50 Raffle Ticket sales have begun. Purchase one for $1 or six for $5. Come to Center One for those tickets. How does it work? The winner will receive half of the total ticket sales in Chamber Bucks! The other half is a fund raiser. Imagine the shopping you can do in Franklin County!

We’d like to take a moment to thank our sponsors for Summerfest. Our sponsors, so far, are:

Red Sponsors ($500 or greater):
Hampton Hardware
Hampton Rotary Club
North Central Millwright
Sackville Insurance

Orange Sponsors ($300):
Dumont Telephone Company
First National Bank of Hampton
Kiwanis Club of Hampton
Omnium
Redneck Trailer Supplies
Craig Semler
Winfield Solutions LLC

Green Sponsors ($200):
Butch Gruelke Auto Body Inc.
Hampton Publishing
Hampton State Bank
KLMJ/KQCR Radio
United Bank and Trust

Yellow Sponsors ($100):
Casey’s General Store
Edwards Contracting Inc.
Franklin County Lumber
Hampton Lions Club
Koenen-Collins Chiropractic Clinic
Koerner-Whipple Pharmacy/Fireside Gifts
Dr. William B. Moore, P.C.
Murphy’s Heating and Plumbing
Steve Pearson
Rick’s Pharmacy

General Sponsorship ($50):
Franklin County Abstract Company
Jeffery A Jaacks, LPA
Krukow Real Estate

Please contact the Chamber office and add your name to this list!


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HACCers Open

Thursday August 4th the fun begins! Golf, socializing and networking and a steak dinner at the end of the day. What a great way to spend a Thursday. This is an annual Tournament with prizes on every hole; there are 17 different activities and chances to earn a prize. Good luck Golfers!


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Want Tractors?

Summerfest Fund Raiser at the Tractor Ride on Tuesday

The KGLO/KWMT Tractor Ride starts this week and they’re coming right through Franklin County!

The first stop on Tuesdays ride will be in Dows from 9 a.m. until 10:10 a.m. Latimer is up next, from 11:15 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. While in Latimer, the North West Franklin 4-H club will be serving lunch. The final destination before heading back to Iowa Falls on Tuesday is Beeds Lake. You will be able to see the tractors arriving there anywhere from 2 until 3:05 in the afternoon.

The Summerfest Committee will be selling ice cream sundaes and raising funds for Summerfest in August. So why not head on over to Beeds Lake on Tuesday, get an ice cream sundae and enjoy the tractors?

The tractor ride has over 200 riders who travel through the countryside of Northern Iowa or Southern Minnesota. Usually they are antique tractor enthusiasts and their tractors are over 20 years old. In a three day span they travel over 185 miles.

Country Fair - Alexander Iowa

PUBLIC INVITED TO “LATHAM COUNTRY” FOR FREE, FAMILY FUN
Everyone is invited to take a scenic country drive to Alexander, Iowa, on Friday, July 30, for a day filled with family entertainment at the Latham Country Fair. Activities will open to the public at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m.
“From a petting zoo to balloon animals, and from in-field demonstrations to high-powered ag policy presentations, we’ve planned a day full of activities for the entire family to enjoy,” said Shannon Latham, vice president, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds. “Family is incredibly important to Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, which has been family owned and operated for more than 60 years. That’s why we’re Celebrating Our Independence by inviting you and your family to the Latham Country Fair.”

Production and agronomic presentations will begin at 9:15 a.m., with Iowa State University (ISU) Extension Corn Specialist Roger Elmore sharing tips on how to produce 300-Bushel Corn. “How to Make 80-Bushel Beans,” will be the topic of discussion when the University of Minnesota’s Seth Naeve takes the stage at 10:15 a.m. Daren Mueller, a researcher working on ISU’s Corn and Soybean Initiative, will present, “Stop the Nematodes: Corn and Soybeans,” at 11:15 a.m.
At 11:30 a.m., “The Big Show” featuring WHO Radio’s Mark and Bob will broadcast live from Latham Seeds’ headquarters. Mark Pearson, host of Iowa Public Television’s Market to Market, will serve as the afternoon’s keynote speaker.
“We’re honored that Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Craig Lang have agreed to lead a discussion on the 2012 Farm Bill,” says Latham. “Join them at 2 p.m. to discuss how the Farm Bill could impact your state and your farming operation.”
In addition to esteemed speakers, the Latham Country Fair will feature a day filled with entertaining and educational activities. Monsanto’s Mobile Technology Unit,TM showcasing advances in plant breeding, biotechnology and Genuity™ trait innovations in corn and soybeans, will be on site providing guided tours.
Another draw to the Latham Country Fair will be big equipment displays, thanks to cooperation from Hagie Manufacturing of Clarion, Iowa; Phelps Implement of Hampton, Iowa; and SUKUP Manufacturing of Sheffield, Iowa.
The Franklin County Farm Bureau will provide kids hands-on learning related to animal and livestock presentation through activities associated with their Ag in the Classroom Curriculum.
Throughout the day there will be ongoing tours of showcase plots including Latham Hi-Tech Hybrids and Latham Hi-Tech Soybeans with LibertyLink, Agrisure and the Genuity family of traits and technologies. Research demonstrations will highlight VOTiVOTM biological seed treatment for nematode control in both corn and soybeans; a corn population study; and Latham’s research on soybean lines featuring both CystX for soybean nematode resistance (SCN) and the new Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Soybean technology.
While farmers take a look at products in the pipeline, their families can enjoy games and crafts. Children’s activities include:
• Petting zoo;
• Bounce House;
• Giant Slide;
• 50-foot obstacle course;
• Skee Ball;
• T-ball; and
• Basketball Hoop Challenge.
The Latham Country Fair will also include craft fair and commercial exhibits including several Hampton Area Chamber members. Please contact Shannon Latham at 515-371-0450 if you are interested in exhibiting at the Country Fair.
“We planned the Latham Country Fair to include activities, information and product showcases for everyone to enjoy,” says Shannon Latham. “I encourage you to bring your family and enjoy a day where the food and the fun are already taken care of ― all you need to do is come and enjoy! I’ve been a huge fair fan from the time I joined 4-H in third grade ― and while I admit that was quite a while ago, I still enjoy a good fair. We’re hoping our events on July 30th create fond memories for all who attend.”
For directions to the Latham Country Fair and more details on the day’s activities and presentations, visit www.lathamseeds.com and click News and Events, Country Fair.