We had to get there early to set up, provide dogs for petting, and answer questions, and take down all at night. It seemed it was always hot, held in August and we always took fans for the dogs...we also took turns so we could partake of the delicious cream puffs and view the fair.
As our membership declined, and the fair expected more and more with less room and longer hours, the club finally decided that we would no longer take part. I miss the fair and have many happy memories of those hot August days.
Below are some of the highlights from the years we participated. Many , many years the ideas were from Cindy Bundy who always did more than her share of the work. Other very hard workers were the Budnys, Thompsons, Oxleys, Barbara Drake , Bill Timmler, Harry Beggs, Eileen Smith, Lois Sutter, Rosters, Claudia Holst, and of course no fair would be complete without Dorothy Johnson coming to lend support. The Braaschs always visited as did Margie Kabala coming all the way from Illinois. (did I forget anyone?) If anyone has any nice photos to add, please send them to me so I can add them. I also am missing some years photos. The club has the full State Fair information and photos in the club history.
1982
These old polaroid photos are poor quality, the originals are in the State Fair book that is in the club History.
Lois Sutter and her elkhound Cherub, and friend Monica.
Kari and son Kris Olson with Bjorna.
1983
The Norwegian Cottage
1st Place Most Attractive Booth -featured later in Dog World Magazine
In the booth, Lois Sutter sitting, Kari in costume and ? . Will someone please identify her?
The dog is Olson's Bjorna Av Bondegard .
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1985
The Norwegian Cottage
1st Place Most Historical Booth
Manning the booth are Eileen Smith (kneeling) , Kari Olson and Lois Sutter.
Bjorna in the antlers
We had an obedience team that year. Kari Olson with Bjorna, Lois with Angel, Eileen with Roman and Dick with Kjella. ( I think I got that right, all I remember is Kjella went to Eileen on the recall and heeled along with her -it was hysterical.. We didn't win, but we were definately the entertainment.
Team practice
We practiced behind Brookfield Square, here is Lois Sutter, Eileen Smith and Harry Beggs.
6th Place
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1986
GET TO KNOW THE ELKHOUND
-the educational approach.
Eileen Smith , Harry Beggs and Bjorna
Team Elkie , Emma Brodzeller Judge.
This team consisted of Kari Olson and Bjorna Harry Beggs with Lee, Eileen Smith with Roman and Roger Pesch with Uffda.
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1987
2nd Place Obstacle Course (Bjorna)
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1988
Puppies!
Everyone loved the puppies, and we did too.
Kari Olson, Bjorna sitting in the horns under the sign and Barb Budny in the rear, Front is Dick Budny and Becky Thompson.
The Obstacle Course, GMNEA won 1st Place! The Fair Obstacle Course was the beginning of Agility I think.. everyone loved the dogs jumping hay bales and tires and going through hay bale tunnels.
Kari ran Bjorna in the obstacle course a number of years and the other clubs felt she was the dog to beat. They were glad when she retired.
1985-2nd place -18 seconds
1986-1st place -14 seconds
1987-2nd place-23 seconds
1988 -1st place
1989- 3rd place
1990 - Her last run, now other dogs in the club could run.
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1989
The Norwegian Forest
Kathy Roster is in the photo with her daughter, Carolyn. Bjorna is on the left. Please let me know the names of the other two (I believe the middle dog was Rosters,) and Ch Thom Thom Jup Don Big Guy, belonging to Harry Beggs. What a great use for those old Christmas trees!
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1990
Doing What Comes Naturally
Cindy Bundy's talented artwork, really made this idea work.
Bjorna once again. She was good at Sit Stay so always seemed to be in the photos.
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1991
Norwegian Elkhound Companion To The Vikings
2nd Place Competitors Choice
Barb Drake and Hairy- Shady, Carolyn Roster and Melania Bundy
Champion Midnite Sun Heartlight
The fair always encourages petting and offers a wonderful way to socialize puppies. This is puppy Brenne with Carolyn Roster .
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1992
Companions to the Vikings
BEST OVERALL BOOTH
1st Place Most Historical
2nd Place Most Attractive
2nd Place Competitors Choice
2nd Place Heeldown ( Ben)
2nd Place Obstacle Course (Berrit)
3rd Place Obedience Team
We built a new backdrop and it was worth it!
We got together over at the Thompsons to build a backdrop for the booth. L to R
Barb Drake, Becky Thompson , Bobbie up in the air, Barb Budny, Dick Budny, Bill Timler and Ken Thompson halfway into the photo.
. Notice the men supervise while the women do the work...?
Here is a job for the men... Ken Thompson on the far right.
Bobbie Oxley, Barb Drake and Barb Budny.
THE LITTLE VIKINGS
(CUTEST VIKINGS EVER!)
MELANIA BUNDY BJORNA AND RYAN ZAJICEK
Wisconsin State Fair World of Dogs Team Obedience
Our obedience team of ALL CHAMPIONS won 3rd Place out of 8 Teams!
GMNEA Dream Team members:
Ch Midnight Sun Heartlight "Hairy" -Barb Drake
Ch Thom Thom Joker's Wild "Joker"- Bobbie Oxley
Ch Midnight Sun's Grin N Berrit "Berrit"- Dick Budny
Ch Polestar Wynter Storm "Ben"- Harry Beggs
AND ALWAYS OUR LOYAL FAN DOROTHY JOHNSON
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1993
Norwegian Elkhounds Companions to the Vikings
GMNEA won ELEVEN ROSETTES! ( I didnt write them all down :-( )
1st Place Most Historical
2nd Place Most Attractive
3rd Place Fairgoers Choice
3rd Place for 14 years of Participation
Honorable Mention for Competitors Choice
2nd Place Team Obedience - All Male All Champion Team
BUILDING THE BOOTH
BILL TIMMLER, CLAUDIA ZAJICEK, CINDY BUNDY, DAVE BUNDY AND KEN THOMPSON
BERNICE BROUGHT TARA FOR THE FIRST TIME.... SHE AND DOROTHY HAD A SERIOUS
DISCUSSION IT APPEARS!
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1994
Norwegian Elkhounds -Gold Medal Dogs
Olympics theme
Ch Vikiro's Not A Pull Toy CDX OA "Tugger" with tag showing
Ch Midnight Sun's Grin N Berrit CDX MX AXJ "Berrit"
both owned by Richard and Barbara Budny
Melania Bundy and Ch Midnight Sun Heartlight.
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1995
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1996
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1997
The Hunter's Lodge and Moose
Back row sitting from L to R Brenne, Joker , Merlin and Hairy
Front Breezy, Destiny (sniffing), Brottsjo , Ericka, Buddy.
Kari Olson's Ch Vikiro's Bright Flame UD AX AXJ "Brenne" loved the attention.
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1998
The Hunter's Lodge Again
2nd Place Fairgoers Choice
Honorable Mentions for Most Creative
1st Place Special Award for State Fair Participation from 1979 to 1998.
Claudia Holst, Cindy Bundy and Becky Thompson are discussing what goes where.
Brottsjo owned by Kari Olson
Merlin owned by Dona Barsul
Team Obedience dogs
Ericka owned by Bobbie and Dick Oxley
Merlin owned by Dona Barsul
Brottsjo owned by Kari Olson
Berrit owned by Dick and Barb Budny
Arctic Nite Windjammer CGC -owner Bobbie and Dick Oxley
Wrathwood's Lasting Impression CD CGC HIC TDI VCC -owner Dona Barsul
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1998
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1999
Wisconsin State Fair
1st Place Heel Down (Brottsjo)
3rd Place Heel Down (Merlin)
This was very exciting for Dona and Kari, as there were many dogs there, who were very good in obedience, including the four German Shepherds whose team won the team event.
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2000
GMNEA Bear At The Fair
Ch Vikiro's Bright Flame UD AX AXJ owned by Kari Olson
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2001
Our Little Garden of Versatility
Cindy and Melania Bundy put much effort into this one.
2nd Place Most Attractive
3rd Place Most Historical
Honorable Mentions for Best Costume and Most Educational
Barb and Krissy Bobbie and Jamie
Time to visit Barb Budny and Dan Holst
Dona and Merlin
Dan and Claudia field some questions from the fairgoers.
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2003
The Bear's Garden
Julianna's puppy Zephyr was a big hit and it seemed EVERYONE wanted to pet him. What a great opportunity.
So many hands all wanting to pet... what a wonderful world.
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2004
Our last year at the fair.
Melania Bundy, Cindy Bundy and Brottsjo
Brottsjo and friend.
Melania has grown up at the fair I believe.
Claudia Holst and Hanna
Barb Drake answered questions and her puppy Freia made friends
Sally watches Dona Barsul's boy Merlin........................ He is an old pro at the fair, and loves the petting.
Eisa Kisses - nothing better than puppy kisses.. Eisa, Jessica and admirer.
Eisa belongs to Jessica Hubbard
Another successful day at the fair, with old friends and new, and our best gray friends. This is Sally Prescher and
her beautiful Kyra. From the youngest, the pups Freia and Eisa to Kyra , the oldest, all of the dogs have had a ,
wonderful time at the World of Dogs.
WE WILL MISS THE STATE FAIR, AND REMEMBER IT FONDLY.
