cwolf@mininggazette.com

GREENLAND — If his natural straw cowboy hat is any indication, Mathew Kocher is a man who enjoys wearing many hats.

A husband, father, son, brother, farmer, volunteer firefighter and sheriff’s deputy, the 33-year-old spent this weekend in another role he loves – running the Ontonagon County Fair.

With perfect weather conditions Saturday at the county fairgrounds in Greenland, Kocher quipped, “It’s in the mid-70s. Everyone’s happy. The animals are happy.”

Damian Wolf/For the Mining Gazette Jack Jolliff and his bandmates perform at the Ontonagon County Fair on Saturday.

In his sixth year as president of the county fair board, he was proud of the variety of activities the board was able to attract. Bounce houses were entertainment for the youngest fairgoers and laser tag, for the older children. Food and music were enjoyed by everyone.

The Michigan-Wisconsin Antique Power Association set up multiple demonstrations, including a saw mill and blacksmith shop, and displayed a variety of vintage tractors and other equipment. A crowd favorite for the kids was the MWAPA “train,” with a tractor as an engine and buckets as cars.

The fair also featured cattle sorting, livestock events, a mock rodeo, ninja obstacle course, balloon animals, face painting and, of course, exhibits of winning entries.

Even though the fair has a 101-year history, Kocher admitted the event is “small,” but he’s hoping to interest more volunteers.

The key to growing the fair back to its heyday size – from an 8-person to a 20-person board – is “more help, more people, more vendors,” Kocher said.

Damian Wolf/For the Mining Gazette The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community trout pond was part of the Ontonagon County Fair fun for the second year Saturday.

Having grown up with mother Gale who was the Ontonagon Fair Board leader for 25 years, Kocher came by his love and commitment to the event honestly.

He started in 4-H as a child and learned early on the value of the fair to the county. He points to the Future Farmers of America’s program at Ontonagon Schools for bringing promise to generating interest in animals and agriculture. He is looking forward to the younger generation’s involvement.

If Kocher, his wife Nicole, and their three children, including their 3-week-old, have a say in it, the Ontonagon County Fair will be a staple for another century.