by Rick Tittsler

Mequon, WI — The Wisconsin Harness Horse Association is getting ready for another great year of horse racing at Wisconsin’s county fairs, including the Walworth County Fair, August 28 through Sept. 2 at Elkhorn.

As part of this year’s fair, the WHHA is sponsoring an art contest for K-12 students who live in Walworth County.

“The students will be asked to draw an original piece of artwork, that features harness horses and their drivers,” says Mickey Barnes of Elkhorn, a racehorse owner and longtime WHHA volunteer. “It’s another fun way to get the kids involved in harness racing, and all of their art will be displayed throughout the fair.”

Contest rules and entry information will be distributed through area schools beginning April 10 and will also be available on the WHHA website, www.wiharnessracing.com.

The contest is free to enter, and will be organized into three divisions, grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12. All entries must be postmarked by May 31. One selected piece of artwork from each age group will be used on the cover of a racing program during the Walworth County Fair’s weekend race dates, Friday (August 30), Saturday (August 31) and Sunday (Sept. 1).

Students who have their work selected for a race program will receive $25, a custom t-shirt featuring their art and their family can be in a winner’s circle photograph after one of the races. Additional prizes will be solicited from businesses countywide. All students who enter the contest can tour the horse barns, meet some of the drivers and see their art on display in the Blacksmith’s shop on the historic fairgrounds.

Harness racing has been contested at Elkhorn, Wis., since before the Civil War.

Gabe Wand, president of the WHHA, is excited to see the sketches, drawings and paintings that are entered.

“This is a great opportunity for the kids in Walworth County to have their artwork seen by thousands of people at one of the very best fairs in the state. It’s also going to give our fans some creative art on the cover of the racing programs; how cool is that?”