‘Climbing the wall’ is fair fun

BY CINDY TOOPES COURIER STAFF WRITER

June 22, 2009 04:03 pm

— ELDON — The rising temperature and humidity didn’t keep some people from climbing the wall Saturday at the Wapello County Regional Fair.
The “wall” wasn’t a wacky one. The Rock Wall was an activity offered by the Iowa National Guard.
Trevor Fowler of Bloomfield and Brooke Barclift of Birmingham put on safety gear and headed straight up the wall.
Fowler had more appropriate foot gear on and quickly took the lead as Barclift struggled a bit in her flip-flops. After Fowler hit the buzzer at the top, he and Barclift hit the buttons on their safety gear and dropped to the ground.
What’s so attractive about going straight up?
“I just like it. It’s a great time,” Fowler said. “It does get interesting at the top where the wall comes out a bit, just below the buzzer.”
Barclift said she liked the climb, too, and “has done it before.”
Sgts. Rick Barclift and Corey Long are recruiters for the U.S. Army’s National Guard. They said the Rock Wall is a way to “instill spirit and confidence in people” and perhaps “attract applicants.”
“Mostly it’s way to talk to folks and let them know we’re here,” Sgt. Barclift said.
Fred Jenkins was on the move between the midway and the grandstand. A past fair board president, Jenkins is still on the committee and was busy with last-minute details for the grandstand shows Saturday evening.
“The rain did slow us down some but the track has dried out pretty well,” he said. “The wind was really strong here and ripped up the tent at the Monster Truck Rides. The owner had to get another one.”
In spite of the weather, attendance has been good at the fair, but ticket sales were a bit lower, according to Jenkins.
“I’m blaming the economy for some of the decrease,” he added.
Jenkins recalled last year’s flooding at the fairgrounds and was “very pleased” everything was “back to normal” at the fair.
“We try to keep improving. The number of exhibits on display in the Art Hall is up,” he said. “We’re hoping for good attendance at the Demolition Derby Sunday.”
Late Saturday afternoon, the fairgrounds lacked any breeze. Heat and humidity caused visitors to soak their clothing with sweat while standing still.
Even some of “Brian’s Animals” looked droopy, but Lexi the young lioness still paced in her cage. Nala, a three-month-old black leopard, wanted to be held but he couldn’t quit squirming around in the arms and lap of his handler, Vickie Hasten.
The heat didn’t stop two young pygmy goats, who kept jumping on and off a hay bale and butting heads with each other.
Wilson, an 18-year-old Kapuchin monkey, clung to his handler, David Staples, but was still willing to shake hands with strangers and kiss the hands of women.
Before Brian Staples could comment, he had to step away and ready the camels for riders.
Hungry and thirsty fair patrons kept all the food vendors busy at the Wapello County Regional Fair, which is always a cornucopia of sights, sounds, smells and flavors.
Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.

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