“To see the mass of people who are committed to loving each other for many, many years, is an inspiration,” said Springfield state Rep. Kyle Koehler. “You are an inspiration to young people today. Take the time to explain how marriage works to your children and your grandchildren, so that they can have what you have.”
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Grober and Hui Suk Butler are one of those couples. The Butlers celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary at Golden Wedding party on Tuesday.
“We are blessed by God,” Hui Suk Butler.
If the two could pass along marriage tips to the next generation, they would tell them to focus on team work.
“You have to understand each other,” Hui Suk said. “You have to support each other.”
According to Maureen Fagans, Chief Executive Officer at United Senior Services of Springfield and Clark County, nearly 1,500 invitations were sent out to couples who qualified to attend the party.
Of the 1,500, Fagans said they received 660 confirmation RSVPs.
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This was the first year the Golden Wedding did not crown a King and Queen, Fagans said. Last year’s King and Queen were Robert and Ruth Pencil - who had been married for 73 years.
“It was hard to find the couple that had been married the longest in the county,” Fagans said. “Instead, we were just selecting from the couple that had been married the longest and could make it to the fair, which we felt wasn’t fair.”
This year’s party instead honored 20 couples who had been married for 60 years r more, with one couple being being married for 75 years.
Today at the fair
Kid’s Day
General admission is $6, and includes free parking and admission into all concerts. Admission is free for children five and younger.
Ride tickets and wristbands require separate purchase.
Gates open at 8 a.m.
Midway opens at noon and closes at 11 p.m.
Famous Amos Mechanical Bull Ride is from noon -11 p.m.
9 a.m. Market Goat Showmanship-Cattle show Arena
Breeding, Fancy & Egg Production Chickens Show-Cattle Show Arena with Showmanship to follow
Junior County Farrowed Show-Swine Arena
Meat Chicken Show-Poultry Barn with Showmanship to follow
11 a.m. Kids Make & Take - Arts & Crafts
11-2p.m. Sales Office open
Noon Bear Hollow Wood Carvers - Arts & Crafts
Kids Cut Flower Contest-Arts & Crafts
Walk/Trot Contesting-Outdoor Horse Arena
1 p.m. Dog Agility Demos - Dog Barn
Exchange Club Kids Day Games & Contests - Grandstand
Market Goat Show - Cattle Show Arena
Smoke & Mirrors- Hub Stage
2 p.m. A Grizzly Experience-Midway
3 p.m. Grand Illusions Magic-Hub Stage
Bear Hollow Wood Carvers - Arts & Crafts
3-5 p.m. Blaine Bowman Trio-CTC Shelter House
4-7 p.m. Skid Steer Registration -Grandstand Infield
Sales Office open
4:30 p.m. A Grizzly Experience-Midway
5 p.m. Grand Illusions Magic-Hub Stage
Bear Hollow Wood Carvers - Arts & Crafts
Market Steer Show-Champion Center Arena
Contesting Fun show-Outdoor Horse Arena
6 p.m. JF Dog Costume, Silly Pet Tricks, Dog Maze and Fun Show - Dog Barn
6:30 p.m. Dish of the Day Judging -Arts & Crafts Building
Eric Kand Hypnosis Show -Hub Stage
DinosaurXperience - Strolling Midway
7 p.m. Fuse @the Fair-First Christian Church
3rd Annual Salvation Army 5K Run/Walk - Grandstand
Mac Barrels Show-Outdoor Horse Arena
7:30 p.m. Skid Steer Rodeo-Grandstand Infield
8 p.m. Grand Illusions Magic-Hub Stage
Bear Hollow Wood Carvers - Arts & Crafts
A Grizzly Experience-Midway
Kate Hasting & Company with Madeline McDonald-Entertainment Tent
9 p.m. Eric Kand Hypnosis Show -Hub Stage
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