Aug 3, 2026 by Robert Herrington, INFB Marketing
Located in northeast Indiana, the Steuben County 4-H Fair is held on the banks of Crooked Lake in Angola. During the week-long agriculture celebration, one day is set aside for community organizations to host activities and programs for 4-H’ers and fair goers.
On Family Fun Day, Steuben County Farm Bureau hosts a kids pedal tractor pull, pet parade and ice cream eating contest.
“When I was younger and in 4-H, we had farm activities at the fair and Farm Bureau was always a part of that. That's one of the things that I always loved as a kid, coming out here and trying to eat pie or ice cream faster than somebody else,” Michael Holman recalled.
As Steuben County Farm Bureau president, Holman said the same goal remains for the organization – to have a memorable presence at their fair.
“It's all about being in the community. We want to support the youth and are appreciative some of our insurance agents come along side us to assist in the day’s activities,” he said. “Steuben County Farm Bureau tries to do our best to give back to the communities. We don't charge anything for this because it's for the kids.”
Inside Rensch Hall, the county show arena, the afternoon began with the pedal tractor pull. Children were divided in weight divisions, up to 100 pounds, for their chance to pedal tractors pulling a sled with weights across the stage.
“Sixty participants was a good number this year and the kids really enjoy it,” Holman said. “I think this year’s crowd got into it more than most years, and we have a beautiful day so that helps out a lot.”
Following the pull was the annual pet parade, which Holman said was the longest running Farm Bureau event at the fair. This year’s parade, which is not a competition, included a mix of residential, farm and wild animals as one child showed a small garter snake he found on the fairgrounds.
“I remember when I was a kid, bringing my cats from the farm. We enjoy doing it because it's fun for kids that don't have animals here at the fair to show them,” said Holman, who serves as the emcee of the event. “I get a chance to interview the kids and ask them where they're from, what their pet’s name is or I pick on them a little bit. If they bring a dog I’ll say, ‘man, that's a goofy looking cat’ and the kids usually have a smile on their face.”
The day concludes with the furiously challenged ice cream eating contest. Youth, teens and adults devoured vanilla ice cream to win the title. This year’s contest included royalty – the fair queen and elected officials.
“If you’re a commissioner or council member, usually you get stuck with the thicker ice cream and everybody else gets the advantage,” Holman joked. “It's a good way for our elected officials to be in front of the community and be a part of our organization.”
Each participant in the three events received a ticket for a free small ice cream at the FFA-ran ice cream stand from Farm Bureau. First, second and third place also received a small cash prize ($3, $2 and $1, respectively).
More important than his role as county president, Holman is a father of five. He hopes the county fair is as memorable to his children as it was for him.
“When you were younger, you waited for this time. Even as an adult, you wait for this time,” he said. “You think back with nostalgia when you were younger, out here with your friends. You see kids going through the same thing you did, whether it's an animal that doesn't walk or might have had an issue just before it enters the ring, and we all had those same issues. So hopefully kids don't get discouraged too much because they're going to be seeing the same thing when they get older and their kids are in it. It's nice to see that times don't change.”
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