JEFFERSON, Iowa, July 12, 2021 — When our Greene County Iowa Historical Society members Jerry Roberts and Chuck Offenburger, both retired journalists, began another of their “History Chats” at the Greene County Fair here in Jefferson last Friday, they posed a question that no one in the audience could answer. The discussion was about “The Arts in Greene County — Past, Present & maybe Future,” and the question: “Has anybody ever written a poem about the Greene County Fair?”
We were all stumped.
But Saturday morning, Roberts, who is also a poet, walked into the historical building at the fairgrounds and said, “We now have a poem about the Greene County Fair — I just wrote one this morning.” And here it is:
THE GREENE COUNTY FAIR
July 10, 2021
Take a moment, let’s talk fair
All Greene County roads will take you there.
All Greene County roads will take you there.
The tour is starting, pay attention,
Its free, the tour and fair, just thought I’d mention.
Its free, the tour and fair, just thought I’d mention.
The beef barn’s pretty full this year
Heifers, calves and lots of steers.
Heifers, calves and lots of steers.
One pen of 3, is now a 2,
Search team is a 4H crew.
Search team is a 4H crew.
They’re heading south, at least that’s the tale,
The critter escaped down the local bike trail.
The critter escaped down the local bike trail.
The swine are next, they’re not here long,
They’re in, they’re judged, and then they’re gone.
They’re in, they’re judged, and then they’re gone.
Lambs are cute, but oh so noisy,
That Suffolk ewe is a pet called Rosey.
That Suffolk ewe is a pet called Rosey.
Don’t miss the horse show, it’s full of banter:
Walk, trot, stop. Now it’s time to canter.
Walk, trot, stop. Now it’s time to canter.
The kids have worked for most a year,
The moment of truth, this week, is near.
The moment of truth, this week, is near.
Sewing, cooking, photography
Gardening, handicrafts, carpentry.
Gardening, handicrafts, carpentry.
We must be quiet there’s a demonstration
It’s called “How Iowa Feeds the Nation.”
It’s called “How Iowa Feeds the Nation.”
Blue ribbons are best, then red, then white,
A ribbon means you did things right.
A ribbon means you did things right.
Let’s don’t forget the smaller creatures,
There’s a place where they all are featured,
There’s a place where they all are featured,
Rabbits, ducks, chickens, dogs and cats.
“You can pet my rabbit, he’s kind of fat.”
If you are young this barn is for you
An instant, friendly, petting zoo.
An instant, friendly, petting zoo.
If you want to remember, and reminisce
The Historical Society building is a “don’t miss.”
The Historical Society building is a “don’t miss.”
There’s a one-room school house just next door
And a real log cabin inside, want more?
And a real log cabin inside, want more?
Look outside and see the way
Our fathers farmed the fields and hayed.
Our fathers farmed the fields and hayed.
And then just sit down and chew the fat,
With Chuck and Jerry’s “History Chats.”
With Chuck and Jerry’s “History Chats.”
–Jerry Roberts, Jefferson IA
You can write the poet by email at robertsradioguy@netins.net.
