Siouxland County Fairs, South Sioux City, NE

Many local county fairs have come and gone in the Siouxland region, although there are still some that haven’t opened yet. I recently went to the Dakota-Thurston Counties fair in South Sioux City, Nebraska.

It was different from what I remembered having attended it maybe 4-5 years ago. This year there was no midway or rides. Very few vendor booths other than a couple food booths. The 4-H exhibits, animal and items is what the fair was mostly comprised of. And I believe historically, county fairs was chance for country folk to show off their livestock and grown items, although I could be mistaken. And 4-H is an organization that many country kids and now town kids join and learn from by having to be responsible for seeing a project through from inception to the end, which generally incorporates showing their endeavor at the local county fair.

I enjoyed myself, and am reminded of my past days being involved in 4-H projects.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A band entertains at the Dakota-Thurston County Fair in South Sioux City, Nebraska Saturday, August 6, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A young 4-H girl poses with her calf project as her father holds on to another one at the Dakota-Thurston County Fair in South Sioux City, Nebraska Saturday, August 6, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Chicken royalty exhibited at the Dakota-Thurston County Fair in South Sioux City, Nebraska Saturday, August 6, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A young woman tries to steer her flock of sheep back to their pen at the Dakota-Thurston County Fair in South Sioux City, Nebraska Saturday, August 6, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A goat 4-H project takes a step up to get a better look at passers-by at the Dakota-Thurston County Fair in South Sioux City, Nebraska Saturday, August 6, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Showmanship class at the Dakota-Thurston County Fair in South Sioux City, Nebraska Saturday, August 6, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Two young 4-H exhibitors wash down their horses and take advantage at the same time on a hot day at the Dakota-Thurston County Fair in South Sioux City, Nebraska Saturday, August 6, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Summer Festival in Siouxland, Hull, Iowa

Hull, Iowa, celebrated its SummerFest in Siouxland this past weekend with events for children and a parade Saturday that didn’t lack in floats or candy. The town pride’s itself as the best candy parade in the state of Iowa. And it doesn’t hurt that the Foreign Candy Company is located within the town’s limits. The Hull Chamber of Commerce sponsored the 3-day event which drew a large crowd for Saturday’s parade. The children should be happy until Halloween with the amount of candy they were collecting. Addtional photos of Saturday’s parade can be found here.

Jerry Mennenga, Sioux City, Iowa

Siouxland Celebrates the 4th of July, Orange City

Orange City, Iowa, celebrated the Fourth of July with a family fun time in Windmill Park, Wednesday afternoon, with contests for children and a cookout for everyone along with a parade. The folk duo Bella Ruse also performed with  fun, touching and irreverent music. Photographs of the event are here.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Orange City, Iowa, celebrates the 4th of July with a family fun day at the Windmill Park during the afternoon of July 4, 2012, and with a parade. (photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

Orange City, Iowa, celebrates the 4th of July with a family fun day at the Windmill Park during the afternoon of July 4, 2012, and with a parade. (photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

Dad gets the dogs after the parade during Orange City’s, Iowa, 4th of July, 2012, celebration at family fun day in Windmill Park . (photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

Shannon Beaty, Orange City, Iowa, tries on a red balloon hat during 4th of July, 2012, celebration at family fun day in the Windmill Park. (photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

Residents and guests wait for the performance of Bella Ruse in Orange City’s, Iowa, Windmill Park during the 4th of July, 2012, celebration. (photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

The folk duo Bella Ruse, Joseph Barker and Kay Gilletee, perform in Windmill Park, 4th of July, 2012, in Orange City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

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Being Lost in Siouxland

To area residents, Siouxland represents a pretty specific area, or at least an area they have grown up in or learned about when relocating here. There are different ideas about Siouxland. Its geographic confines, mostly denoting Northwest Iowa, Northeast Nebraska and Southeastern South Dakota. Its defined by rivers, farmland, small communities and big heart. People lead simple lives, but during tough times they pull together and help one another. Neighbors, friends, strangers even, making sure that someone in distress isn’t by himself. Otherwise, Siouxlanders go about their lives and live them. Participating in a variety of activities and jobs supporting local sports teams and organizations. Some those activities and people will be found here in coming months. Sharing their lives and thoughts as time moves forward, occasionally looking backward to reminisce. I hope you enjoy their stories.

Jerry Mennenga, Sioux City, Iowa