It's an extreme honor for me because I'm so proud of Owen and whatever I can get involved in Owen, I'm all for it. And as long as I'm around I will be a big sponsor and I'll do my level best to get my grandson involved because he promised to carry on for me. So, when you lose me, you'll pick up another one younger. So, thank you for this award and we'll take good care of it.”

Norbie Pabich

The great “Oz” was at work last weekend during the Owen Jr. Fair, July 12-14, as rain stayed away, and the sun shone for nearly all the fun-filled Wizard of Oz themed days. Friday night brought fair goers in for O-W Lions bingo, music by the Bennet Valley Gray Band, family night food stand specials and Tri-State Amusements Carnival opening night.

Saturday morning began with activities hosted in the Old School by the Friends of the Old School. Jeffer Scheuer demonstrated leaf casting and brought several examples of her own past projects. Jennifer Chrudimsky gave a talk on attracting and caring for bluebirds and answered questions about feeding wild birds. The gym was filled with delicious tastes and smells as many people brought in samples of “Grandma’s Recipes” for all to enjoy and offered the recipes with the tasty treats. Vendors, Wizard of Oz memorabilia and other historic items also filled the dear old gym.

At the fairgrounds that morning 18 children signed up for the Kiddie Parade held at the trail encircling the Mill Pond. Later that day, teams of draft horses lined up to pull in the Gerald Frese Memorial Horse Pull. Saturday at 4:30 p.m. fair goers were invited to sit and enjoy a free movie The Wizard of Oz at the Old School sponsored by Forward Bank. Kris and Randy Karaba supplied the means to project it on the stage of the old school and their friends Kim and Mark Amacher helped with set up. Topping off a sunny Saturday at the fair was live music by Smoke Wagon and fireworks sponsored by Kris Karaba and Brandon Blumenstein of Edward Jones, Master Package, Maurina/Schilling, Quality Roasting, Owen-Withee Lions, A&W and Meadowview Golf Course.

Sunday morning at the fair began with an ecumenical worship service led by St. Katherine’s Episcopal Church and music by Phil Greschner and the Holy Rosary Polka Choir, Dan Tolzman on the drums and Alex Kulesa on the concertina. The Holy Rosary Knights of Columbus in Owen hosted a chicken dinner and the Holy Rosary PCCW served pie and ice cream. An antique tractor pull was held at the north end of the fairgrounds at 11 a.m.

Preceding the parade, Norby Pabich was awarded the Golden Blackhawk award for a lifetime of service to the Owen-Withee community presented by Owen Withee Area Historical Society President Allan Hodnett and previous winner Harriet Laube. Norby was honored by this award and responded, “I have enjoyed Owen. I started out here, really in 1948. I worked at the Master Package and had the honor of being fired at that time and it was quite an accomplishment when Jeannie (wife) and I had the opportunity to buy the company and take it over ourselves. So, we've gone from one extreme to another, but this golden award is just fantastic. It's an extreme honor for me because I'm so proud of Owen and whatever I can get involved in in Owen, I'm all for it. And as long as I'm around I will be a big sponsor of Owen and I'll do my level best to get my grandson involved because he promised to carry on for me. So, when you lose me, you'll pick up another one younger. So, thank you for this award and we'll take good care of it.”

The parade began around 1 p.m. opening with O-W Police Chief Fehlman leading local veterans. Kris Karaba and Phil Greschner had a jovial time emceeing the event and engaging the crowd in pre-parade Wizard of Oz trivia. Thirty-four floats made their way down the parade route. Best theme winner was O-W Sports & Liquor, best business award went to Nazareth Lutheran Church and best classic car went to the Owen Car Show. The winners of the Owen Centennial raffle were 1st $300 Bill Retterath, 2nd $200 Mike Renderman, 3rd $150 Lorena McLoone, 4th $100 Jack Jalling, 5th $75 Leslie Vold, 6th $50 Class of 81, 7th $50 Mike Renderman, 8th $25 Ryan Renderman, 9th $25 Pam Lobacz and 10th $25 Kurt Hubbard.

At 2 p.m.  or so, a gaggle of Owenites gathered for a group picture on the lawn of the Old School to be photographed via Tim Petersen’s drone. The photo will be added to the Owen Centennial history book which will be for sale in December. Free lemonade and Mauel’s Sunshine ice cream were served at the Old School following the group photo shoot as Phil Kitze played his guitar and sang. Back at the fairgrounds, the Strat Cats played on, carnival rides were enjoyed, and food and fun continued until it was the end of the yellow brick road for the Owen Jr. Fair 2024.