The 2021 Chouteau County Fair drew some of its largest crowds ever after the 2020 hiatus. “It’s been very good. We’re happy to have the fair back again. We didn’t do it last year because of the Covid issue. Everybody seems to be happy to be coming to the events,” explained Shirley Embleton, who has served as the Fair Manager for over 15 years. The 109-year Montana tradition saw its largest ever attendance for Pig Wrestling. “Pig wrestling was better than ever. We had over a hundred people more than two years ago. We had 32 teams… we shoot for 40… The tractor pulls were good. I think last night, around us not here in Fort Benton got rain. So, I think it kinda scared the people off from coming. But those that came got a great show last night and the night before. It was cooler, but perfect. Nobody likes to sit out there in the heat.”
This year’s demolition derby saw the fair board employing a new strategy to bolster participation: “Of course, pig wrestling is a young people’s event, but it goes all the way to the adults. We hope they move on to the demolition derby and participate. There will hopefully be a good selection of the full sized cars. We haven’t had as many of the full sized cars in a few years. There are a couple of fairs at the same time as us that offer a bigger purse. Right now, Baker and Kallispell both offer fairs at the same time. They’re much larger fairs. Our fair this year is $25,000, and we’re hoping that will get the big cars here.” The prize is more than double the normal payout for the event.
Shirley went on to explain that participation in this year’s displays and entries were mixed, with a solid turnout for artistic submissions: “We had good turn out in the art and photography. Some interesting things in the family living department. So we’re happy.” However, there was a lower than usual number of submissions for the agricultural events: “We didn’t have as many participants in the exhibitor displays as we would like. The weather was not as conducive to growing vegetables and fruits. It was hard.”
The fair welcomed a new food vendor to the event, but was missing an old favorite from many years past. “We have a totally brand new vendor this year, Nourish. We had a kettle corn here from Havre. The commercial building is full, so we’ve been selling their wares out of the commercial building… One of our food vendors pulled away from us, but we’re hoping they’ll be back next year. The Catholic Church has a building down there. They couldn’t get enough volunteers. I’m not sure if it was harvest that was holding them off or just too late in planning or what happened, but we’re hoping they’ll be back again next year.”
Of course, the fair offered its ever popular activities for children: inflatable games and activities. The attraction has been a standard since 2003. “…We always try to offer free entertainment for the youngsters so they have a reason to get their parents to take them to the fair. You know, you always want to get the younger people involved in wanting to come to the fair. Then as they grow, they want to enter things in the fair or they want to participate on a volunteer side of the fair. Because it will die if we don’t keep the youngsters involved.”
Shirley was enthusiastic about the outcome of the year’s events, particularly after the 2020 cancellation. “We’re happy that everybody participated and spectated. Come see us again next year.”
