Editor
FOND DU LAC
Under a Hawaiian theme, over 2,500 attendees at the seventh annual Fond du Lac Agricultural Showcase had the opportunity to celebrate Wisconsin agriculture through seeing, tasting and experiencing the important role that agriculture plays in their everyday lives and economy.
Food samples, a petting zoo and chef demonstrations were among the many highlights of the showcase, which took place March 6 at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds Recreation Building, Fond du Lac.
For a mere $1 admission fee, event-goers were able to sample Wisconsin favorites, such as cheese and beer, browse over 60 booths hosted by local businesses and organizations, and observe chefs as they prepared various dishes.
A petting zoo, coloring contest, sponsored by Agri-Land Co-op, Badgerland Financial and We Energies, crafts, face painting and the Barnyard Buddies puppet show were hits for the children. Children also learned about aquifers and the Fond du Lac Fire Department, and Ahern Fire Protection set up a sprinkler trailer that used actual fire to demonstrate how sprinklers suppress fire and allow time for escaping.
New to this year’s “taste-filled” event was a summer sausage tasting category and the Best Cheesecake Contest.
Back by popular demand, the cheese and beverage pairing area included samples of Wisconsin beers, wines and fruit juices, and offered advice on how these items can compliment a special meal.
Also in attendance were Fond du Lac County Fairest of the Fair Ashley Julka and the American Honey Princess Amy Roden, who shared with the many visitors how agriculture impacts every one of them on a daily basis.
The Fond du Lac Agriculture Showcase is a cooperative project of the Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce Agri-Business Council, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and Festival Foods. The event serves as a vehicle to bring producers and consumers together, and helps broaden their thought that agriculture is beyond the farm. Funds raised from this showcase help support agribusiness scholarships, ag books to fourth-graders and the Agricultural Ambassador program, along with promoting agriculture in the Fond du Lac area.
