• News tips, submissions
• Questions, comments
• Contact webmaster

• Barn's total loss in Wednesday fire near Ellsworth
• 2008 Pierce County Fair tickets now available
• Committee chairs named for 2010 Farm Technology Days

By Bill Kirk, RiverTown Staff

Fire late Wednesday consumed a barn in the Town of Ellsworth.

The Ellsworth Fire Department was called at 11:38 p.m. to the Rae Ann Andrea property, W5329 CTH N, Beldenville. The barn was a total loss.

The cause of the blaze was unavailable Thursday morning. The roof was down before police officers arrived and they were on the scene prior to the department's arrival, when the structure was fully engulfed.

There were no injuries. No animals were inside the building, but hay had been placed for storage there earlier Wednesday.

The EFD received mutual aid from the Spring Valley Fire Department. Fire fighters were at the location, along CTH N and across from Our Savior's Lutheran Church, until 2:11 a.m. Thursday.

By Phil Pfuehler, RiverTown Staff

You can be the first one on your block to buy your season gate pass and advance sale ride tickets for the 2008 Pierce County Fair.

"Celebrating the 125th Pierce County Fair. Past Memories - Future Dreams" is the 2008 Fair theme.

The Fair runs from Thursday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 10, and features $25,000 in free entertainment as well as 10,000 contest entries, fabulous food, over 100 commercial exhibits and one of the area's finest midways.

Season gate passes are good for all four days of the fair and cost only $10.

Advance sale ride tickets can be bought in books of 5 for $5 and are good all day Thursday and until 6 p.m. Friday. Quantities are limited on the ride tickets, so plan to buy early.

Advance tickets are available at many locations, including at First National Bank in River Falls.

For additional information, visit the Fair Web site at www.co.pierce.wi.us/fair/fair_main.html or call the Fair office at 273-6874.

By Jason Schulte, RiverTown Staff

The countdown is on for organizers of the 2010 Farm Technology Days, as the event will be coming to Pierce County in two years.

Farm Technology Days, Inc., a non-profit organization, has held Wisconsin Farm Technology Days (WFTD) since 1954. It's billed as the "largest outdoor show moving from county to county in North America." The Roger and Beverly Peterson farm, located on Hwy. 29 outside of River Falls, will host the 2010 edition, scheduled for July 20-22, 2010.

An estimated 1,400-1,600 volunteers is needed to help serve on the 21 committees. A brief description of each committee, along with the committee chairperson(s) and their contact information, is as follows:

Admissions--A three-to-six month window of tasks prior to the show along with collecting admission and checking passes. Co-chairs, Ann Webb - awebb@co.pierce.wi.us, Mary Beth Williams -425-5323.

Apparel, handle the inventory and sale of apparel along with making apparel recommendations to the Executive Committee. No co-chairs have been named.

Arts and Crafts--Plan arts and crafts tent contribution to show, procure vendors locally and from previous shows. Lisa Coyne - lmcoyne@wwt.net, Kristi Richardson - richjk@svtel.net.

Conservation--Plan conservation tent contribution to show, consider or plan outside tent attractions. Rod Webb - Rodney.webb@co.pierce.wi.us

Education--Contribute direction to the planning process and participate in the planning of any non-show hour educational activities. Lee Milligan - lee.milligan@ces.uwex.edu.

EMS/Safety--Manage and staff mobile command center. Jeff Rixmann - jrixmann@rfaas.org, Gary Brown - gbrown@co.pierce.wi.us.

For more please read the July 16 print edition of the Pierce County Herald.