LaGrange County 4-H Fair Association Names Cleo Hartzler as Grand Marshall

Written by Webmaster. Posted in 4-H Fair.

gr-marsh2013The LaGrange County 4-H Fair Association has chosen Cleo Hartzler as the Grand Marshall for the 60th Annual LaGrange County 4-H Fair.

This year marks the 50th anniversary since Cleo Hartzler became President of the LaGrange County 4-H Fair Association, a position he held for 7 years.

In his youth Cleo was in the 4-H program for 5 years and later became a 4-H Leader in Dairy and Livestock. Cleo was awarded honors in the “National 4-H Alumni Recognition Programs”. Cleo then went on to serve on the ASCS Board which is now known as Farm Service Agency and was elected President for 9 years. He has served on numerous LaGrange County Committees and Boards in the LaGrange First Church of God which he and Phyllis have attended for the past 63 years.

Cleo and Phyllis still reside on the Centennial Farm where Cleo was a rancher, farmer and dairyman.

Wild about Monkeys

Written by Webmaster. Posted in 4-H Fair.

monkeys1A Way With Baboons.  When a movie producer needs a performing baboon, chances are they will call Kevin Keith the host of “Wild about Monkeys”. Training Baboons is his specialty. He believes baboons to be, by far the most socially intelligent primate. Combining the rare skills of an excellent trainer and the incredible instincts of the wild as well as domestic animals with which he has become friends. Kevin, together with his wife Martina, will delight and amaze the audience with fun, education and great entertainment for the whole family. “Wild about Monkeys” is the only traveling animal exhibition that features trained baboons. The Mandrill baboon is the only one to be safely and humanely handled in the USA today. 

Tonny Petersen's Hell Drivers

Written by Webmaster. Posted in 4-H Fair.

helldriverFrom legendary thrill show drivers comes a brand new production for a brand new decade. Complete with precision driving of brand new automobiles, high speed reverse spins, deliberate crashes, and tricky two wheel driving, Tonny Petersen and his team of Hell Drivers deliver the best in thrill show entertainment.

Witness Tonny Petersen balance and race a brand new Dodge Dakota pickup truck on only two wheels! Marvel at the high flying dive bomber crash, performed direct from the movie lots of Hollywood! Watch the nation’s top stunt drivers perform a series of bumper clicking cross overs with brand new Dodge Avenger automobiles while negotiating narrow, confining ramp elevations!

Teamed with Johnny Wisner, originally of the King Kovaz Auto Daredevils, the combination stunt driving talent boasts a roster far greater then any other thrill show to date! The sights, sounds, and smells that have entertained generation after generation of thrill show fans has been rejuvenated with a sense of heritage far greater then any production has achieved in recent years!

Hubie & The Drive

Written by Webmaster. Posted in 4-H Fair.

hubiedrive450pxHubie Ashcraft of Fort Wayne, IN is a Singer/Songwriter/Performer who can often be seen sharing the stage with his band The Drive. Hubie is widely known for playing his white Fender Stratocaster to the beats of Rock, Americana, Motown and Country. His music is infused with pop hooks, poetic lyrics and soul that is both traditional and contemporary. In addition to playing electric guitar, he also plays acoustic guitar and has two years of classical guitar training.

Ashcraft started playing guitar when he was twelve years old, but it wasn’t until he saw Bruce Springsteen perform live in Indianapolis, IN when he was fifteen that he knew he wanted to make music his career. Hubie has also been influenced by other musical talents such as: Merle Haggard, Vince Gill, Van Morrison, Tom Petty, John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson.

When he’s not on stage with The Drive, Ashcraft performs intimate acoustic shows where he has had the honor of working alongside other talented singers, songwriters, and musicians including: Sunny Taylor, Rob Van Ryn, Adam Strack, Garry Jones and Travis Gow. Ashcraft has received accolades for his work and contributions with former groups Twelve and Two, Still Groove, Shakin' Bake and Allan & Ashcraft.

In November 2009 Ashcraft had the opportunity to record with legendary drummer Chad Cromwell. Chad has been the drummer for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Neil Young since 1988. More recently, Ashcraft had the honor of working with songwriters and producers from Nashville, TN including Dove Award Winner Jeff Silvey who produced Shakin Bake’s first self titled EP.

In August, 2010, Ashcraft had the great opportunity to work with Producer and Grammy Award Winner Kenny Greenberg. Kenny is a highly sought after guitar player and producer who has worked with many of Country's top recording artists such as: Taylor Swift, Brooks & Dunn, Gretchen Wilson, Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, The Mavericks, Wynonna Judd, Lee Ann Womack, Toby Keith, Sugarland, Trisha Yearwood, Montgomery Gentry, and Faith Hill. His guitar work has been included on projects with Bob Seger, Amy Grant, Etta James, Mandy Moore, Jewel, Indigo Girls, and Peter Cetera.

In 2012 four of the songs released by Allan & Ashcraft charted on the Indie World Country Charts with the help of Marty Martel and BKD & Associates Marketing firm. Ashcraft hit another milestone in his career when his band, Allan & Ashcraft were featured on the Marcia Campbell show which airs live on WSM 650, Grand Ole Opry radio. In Fort Wayne, IN Ashcraft was recognized by the music community by receiving the coveted Whammy Award for Best Country Group.

Ashcraft has been fortunate to share the stage with several national recording artists including: The Band Perry, Jimmy Wayne, Jo Dee Messina, Gretchen Wilson, Emerson Drive, David Nail, Justin Moore, Eric Church, Jake Owen, James Otto, Luke Bryan, Joe Nichols, Kellie Pickler, Randy Houser, Joe Diffie and Country Music Legends George Jones and Randy Travis.

Ashcraft is an amazing young artist with talent beyond his years that you have to see and hear to believe. You will find his music is performed with such energy and open hearted spirit that it creates an amazing chemistry between him and his audience. Passion and integrity rank at the top of the list for this versatile musician.