Citizen Staff
Getting set for the first of two big events scheduled to replace the Bethesda Country Fair are, from left, Kitty Frei, Sandy Smith and Marlene Dahnert. They are shown with a display of flowers that will be for sale on Saturday, including a garden pump "garden" and a group of garden tea cup bird feeders made by Dahnert.
HORICON — One of two special activities scheduled to replace the annual three-day Bethesda Country Fair at the Dodge County Fairgrounds is scheduled to get under way at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Bethesda Country Store, 104 Clinton St.
At that time a grand reopening ceremony will be held featuring local dignitaries and Bethesda officials.
Horicon High School Band Director Donn Gasner and a number of his students will be on hand at 8:30 a.m. to warm the crowd up for scheduled entertainment, a bake sale and special blue light merchandise price cuts.
Food and refreshments will be available for sale on the grounds.
Door prizes, donated by area businesses, organizations and individuals will be presented to lucky players at $1 per spin or six chances for $5.
A silent auction on a number of special items will be held, including two brand new wedding gowns in sizes 14 and 20. Bidding will be cut off at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Jean Hill, RN of the Wellness Center at Beaver Dam Community Hospital, has been added to the entertainment agenda. She will lead a series of gentle joint exercises at 10 a.m. Millie Hamilton, Burnett, and Helen Wiecsorak, Horicon, will lead a sing along to their accordion accompaniment at 11:30 a.m. and at 12:30 p.m. They will also be singing, a cappella, "Three Cats and a Kitty."
Store manager Marlene Dehnert advises arriving early.
"The early bird gets the worm," she said. "This is kind of a trial run for us. We expect the second event, scheduled in September to be bigger and better than this one. Tentative plans call for holding a consignment auction at that time."
No drop-offs will be allowed at the store on Saturday.
Proceeds from Saturday's sales will be used to benefit the individuals with developmental disabilities who receive support through Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services.