Getting together at the Washington County Fair

• Don and Jackie Savage

Jackie and Don Savage, of May Township, renewed their vows Aug. 1 during the Washington County Fair. The Savages have been married for 10 years.
• 4-H

A group of 4-H members sit in the cattle barn with their cow at the Washington County Fair on Aug. 1.

Talk about it

Thousands of people were out last week enjoying the Washington County Fair.

The fair, held Aug. 1-5 at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Lake Elmo, had something for everyone: food vendors, craft exhibitors, carnival rides, carnival games, animal barns, live music and even dancing demonstrations.

New to this year’s Washington County Fair were free weddings and vow renewals.

The ceremonies, officiated by 10th Judicial District Judge Greg Galler, took place on a hill overlooking Washington County's Master Gardeners Fairest Garden. Bergmann's Greenhouse and Farm Market in Stillwater landscaped the immediate area where the ceremonies were held.

Ceremonies lasted between three and five minutes.

May Township residents Jackie and Don Savage have been married for 10 years, and both are avid fair-goers, so renewing their vows seemed like a lot of fun, Jackie said.

“It’s something that I’ve never done before – I thought it would be something fun.

“I love the fair, my husband loves the fair.”

Jackie said the location of the vow renewal ceremonies, overlooking the garden, made it all the more special.

“My husband is an avid gardener,” she said. “I have a brown thumb matching my brown eyes.

“But, my husband loves gardening and this is his favorite part of the fair – so I thought ‘How that it was right here by the garden?’”

Tags: news, entertainment, outdoors