—Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Chris Anderson Kids check out the Hamilton County Farm Bureau stand Friday night during the 100-year party at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds.

Five Hamilton County businesses decided to celebrate their 100th year of business Friday night with a “100 year party” at the fairgrounds complete with games, crafts, and live music.

ISU Extension Hamilton County Program Coordinator, Susan Schmitz, was present at the festival helping lead crafts for children in attendance. Schmitz said she originally reached out to other organizations turning 100 to try to find a way to celebrate.

“We’re all turning 100 so why not celebrate and all do stuff together?” Schmitz said.

Joining ISU Extension Hamilton County celebrating 100 years of business, was McMurray Hatchery, Hamilton County Farm Bureau, Hamilton County Fair, and the Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce. Also in attendance was The Daily Freeman-Journal celebrating telling the stories of Hamilton County for 160 years.

Schmitz shared that her organization is responsible for taking ISU research and putting it into the hands of the public. She also expressed her excitement and gratitude for the 100 years of innovation that has happened in Hamilton county, in part because of ISU Extension.

“The main goal was to celebrate. 100 years in this county, look at all the innovative things that have happened,” Schmitz said.

Hamilton County Farm Bureau is another organization that is taking an active role in shaping the future of Hamilton County. County Farm Bureau President, Brian Young, brought out some of their agriculture education tools to the fairgrounds.

“This is kind of a condensed version of things they teach in the schools,” Young said, “I hope everybody enjoys being here and learning something from it.”

Bud Wood, current owner of McMurray Hatchery, felt one of the best parts of the festival was the live music being provided. Standing Hampton, a Midwest based Classic Rock band played a free concert for people in attendance.

“There’s five of us celebrating 100 years in business, so we kind of felt that some live music would be fun,” Wood said.

Wood spent most of his time at the party helping other organizations set-up and organizing the live music. He felt that the event was a great way to come together as a community.

At around 7 p.m. organizations began to take down their tables, games, and the bouncy house for kids was deflated. Standing Hampton began to play and attendees settled in to listen to music and celebrate 100 years of progress in Hamilton County.