Ron Porter (center front) holds his youngest great-grandchild Colter Cassell who was one week old at the Nuckolls County Fair. All of his great-grandchildren who were old enough had exhibits at the Nuckolls County Fair. They include Bailey Clements (19) Breanna Clements (17), Addison Cassell (16), Jace Hoelting (14) Kaliahna Cassell (13), Joel Hoelting (13) Bryson Clements (11), Hoyt Cassell (11), Jarrett Hoelting (9), Cash Cassell (8) Jackson Hlavac (2) and Josey Hlavac 1). They gathered for this picture after the Nuckolls County Swine Show, Friday, when it was nearly 100 degrees F. outside. Porter showed livestock at the Nuckolls County Fair when he was a youngster and has been a regular participant for the past 80 years.
Almost 80 years ago, Ron Porter entered his first exhibit at the Nuckolls County Fair.
"I rode a horse for my first 4-H project," he said.
Ron Portor, a long-time dryland Nuckolls County farmer, lives near Nelson. Throughout his life-time he raised the common crops grown in the area: corn, soybeans, wheat and milo. His operation included chicken, beef and hogs. He was raised in Nuckolls County and remembers his father saying, "At one time the Nuckolls County Fair was larger than the Nebraska State Fair."
His family included five children: Peggy Cassell, Doug Porter, Randy Porter, Richard Porter and Pam McDermott. Several of them still live in Nuckolls County. The families have been long-time supporters of the Nuckolls County Fair, 4-H and FFA.
There are family members near Grand Island, David City and Holland, Neb. but all come to the Nuckolls County fair and complete or come for a bunch of family time and fun. It is a long-standing family tradition.
This year 19 of he great-grandchildren attended events at the Nuckolls County fair. Those who were eligible entered a host of projects: horses, beef, swine, chickens and bunches static exhibits.
There have been lots of changes at the fair through the years. Porter particularly noted the increase in the number of classes.
"When I started the horse show, it just had simple things like western pleasure. Now there are lots of classes," he said.
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