A fixture at the fair

MENDON, Ill. — Stifling heat did not stop the crowds from coming to celebrate a special milestone for the Kuhn family July 26. On a 97-degree day, more than 350 people gathered to share in a big party commemorating 75 years of the Kuhns exhibiting dairy animals at the Adams County Fair.

“It really floored us,” Myron Kuhn said. “We were just tickled with the crowd and thrilled that people would make the effort. We knew everybody who was there, and they all seemed to have a heck of a good time.”

The event was held at the fairgrounds several days prior to the start of the fair.

“We grew up around the fair and that’s what we look forward to every summer,” Myron said. “I don’t think we ever missed one since we were born.”

Myron and his brother, Matt, milk 50 cows and farm over 200 acres near Mendon at Kuhn’s Holsteins. The Kuhns’ passion for the fair flows from their parents, Tom and Barb Kuhn, who were involved in the fair up until their passing in 2011 and 2022, respectively.

Myron and Matt are two of eight children. The oldest and youngest brothers are Catholic priests. Melvin is a priest in South Dakota. Aaron is a priest near Vandalia and was able to attend the 75th celebration. Other siblings include Marvin, Bob, Myra and Anaise.

“I couldn’t believe the outpouring of correspondence from people we haven’t heard from in years,” Myron said. “The number of phone calls, letters and text messages of congratulations we received was tremendous. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. When something like this happens and people show up, you realize you have a good community. Dairy people are pretty special.”

Attendees partook in a buffet dinner and had soft-serve ice cream for dessert. The Kuhn family is a longtime member of Prairie Farms Dairy Inc., which contributed food and beverage products to the celebration as well. A table filled with Kuhn memorabilia from former fairs was on display while a video of pictures highlighted the history of a family that has been a fixture at the fair for decades.

“Our mother was big in the culinary department and always competed in the president’s cookie jar,” Myron said. “She won it many times.”

In 2005, Barb made a Charlie Daniels-themed cookie jar in honor of the country singer who was coming to perform at the fair that year. She won first place, and the fair board arranged for her to take the jar on the tour bus and meet Daniels.

“We had that cookie jar on display and filled it with the cookies she made that year,” Myron said.

Their dad’s 1954 Farmall Super H tractor was also parked at the party.

“People liked looking it over,” Myron said. “It was a highlight of the evening for some.”

The Kuhn family also received special recognition from U.S. Congresswoman Mary Miller.

“She sent a representative who gave us a congressional certificate,” Myron said. “That was pretty neat. A lot of people wanted to see our show string for the year too. We always set  our stalls up nice to welcome people in.”

Myron and Matt said all the acknowledgement meant a great deal to their family.

“I guess all the work over the years was worth it,” Myron said. “I would do it all over again. It shows the goodness in people. We’re all competitive, we all like to win, but when all is said and done, what makes the show and what makes the fair is the people. If you can win or lose gracefully, it makes everything so much fun.”

The Kuhns’ 100% registered herd is milked in a stanchion barn. The Kuhns practice rotational grazing, and a big part of their operation is marketing genetics in the form of breeding bulls. The family has sold more than 800 bulls over the years. In the past, the Kuhns raised hogs and sold breeding boars. They also had sheep and sold lambs and rams and fed out steers.

“We’ve always been kind of diversified, and having all those animals made for plenty to look forward to take to the fair,” Myron said. “Dairy was always the main focus, but we had a lot of fun showing hogs, sheep and rabbits. We always raised and showed New Zealand rabbits and still do.”

Myron’s dad started showing at the Adams County Fair in 1950.

“We always subtract the year the fair was cancelled because of COVID,” Myron said. “Dad took a real interest in showing and in registered Holsteins. The first year, he showed a heifer that did really well. Some of the older guys encouraged him to get in the open class, and he did. She took first place, and I guess he got hooked after that. He got a $6 premium check.”

As kids, the Kuhn siblings exhibited at many county fairs, the Illinois State Show and the Illinois State Fair, but it was the Adams County Fair that excited their hearts the most.

“That fair is what we all geared up for,” Myron said. “We’re in the tri-state area of Missouri, Iowa and Illinois, and it’s not unusual for people to float in from all three states.”

The Kuhns showed nine heifers and one cow this year. Myron and Matt are the ones on the halter, exhibiting in the open show.

“When it comes to fitting the heifers and cows, Matt is way faster than anyone I’ve ever seen,” Myron said. “That’s a lot of work, and he does a real good job.”

The Kuhns had a lot to celebrate on the 75th year with their junior 2-year-old cow earning the highest accolade when she was named supreme champion. The Kuhns also won the junior best three bred and owned females class.

“There are a lot of excellent animals there,” Myron said. “Adams County was always noted for that. That’s what has made it a good and long-lasting show.”

Matt agreed.

“The quality of animals is good from the top of the class to the bottom,” he said.

Marvin and Bob help keep animals washed and clean at the fair while Myron and Matt are at home milking cows. Myra and Anaise participate in culinary projects and spend a lot of time there as well.

Relationships formed at the fair have become the fondest of memories for the Kuhns.

“We still get Christmas cards from exhibitors who my parents stalled next to 40-50 years ago,” Myron said. “There were so many people who would travel to the fair because that was the one time of year they could see our dairy heifers and visit with Mom and Dad.”

The Kuhns have cherished every year showing at their county fair for many reasons.

“It’s a lot of fun, and it brings everyone back together for a common purpose,” Myron said. “You kind of forget how you placed but remember all the little things that happened, and maybe some of the things that didn’t go quite right, but those might be the most fun sometimes.”