Imposter Scam Alert:
Community State Bank has been alerted to a possible imposter scam (scammers calling or messaging while pretending to be a trusted organization, such as your bank). We will never call or text asking for your username, PIN, password, security code, or full account number. If you receive a suspicious call, text, or email claiming to be from the bank, do not respond. Contact us directly using a trusted phone number.
UNION GROVE — The Racine County Fair rewrote the record book for livestock sales at this year’s 104th annual tradition.
There were 625 animals (391 large animals, 234 small animals) auctioned off for well over $1 million at the Racine County Fair, which took place on July 29 to August 2 at the Racine County Fairgrounds.
“The prices were incredible,” said Community State Bank AVP | Ag Business Banking Brian Lois, a fifth-generation farmer. “It was a record year for both large and small animal sales, by a long shot.”
Community State Bank assembles a team of employees each year to clerk the animal auctions, inputting data and collecting money to make sure young farmers and exhibitors get paid for their prized possessions.
Young exhibitors from the local 4-H and FFA chapters auctioned off their animals on the final two days of the fair.
The large animal auction includes beef, hogs, goats and lamb. The small animal auction includes rabbits and poultry.
Animals sold for as much as 10 times their market value with cattle ($4.84 average per pound), hogs ($8.59 average per pound) and lamb ($9.23 average per pound) leading the way.
All proceeds go to the young farmers.
“It was great to see everyone in the community come out to support our younger generation with kindness and generosity,” CSB President Bob Findysz said. “Community State Bank is honored to play a small role in the success of such a proud, community tradition.”
CSB Retail Operations Director Caitlyn Eulgen has been attending the Racine County Fair since she was born. The Waterford native began showing projects through 4-H Cloverbuds and moved on to livestock before becoming a CSB volunteer.
“You don’t realize how many volunteers it takes to execute a fair of this size,” Eulgen said. “I didn’t realize it either until I started volunteering here. It’s really rewarding for me to see this whole experience come full circle.”
CSB staff is often one of the first groups on the fairgrounds each day, passing out free milk and donuts to all of the young fair exhibitors.
The bank tradition started over 10 years ago, according to Lois.
“Milk and Donuts is really just a way to show the kids we’re here supporting them,” Lois said “The fair is about the youth and developing them into future leaders someday.”
CSB Retail Manager (Burlington) Becky Springer is a Kansasville native who grew up showing animals at the Kenosha County Fair. The 2022 Westosha Central graduate understands the commitment that goes into being a Fair exhibitor.
“It’s a lot of hard work, dedication, responsibility and respect for the animals,” Springer said. “There’s a lot of community, knowing you have people around you that can support you when you need it.”
CSB serves as the official retailer for the Racine County Fair Mega Ride Passes. The bank sold 1,405 of the unlimited carnival ride passes before the fair to assist the fair sales team. CSB volunteers its time and resources each year for all of its efforts at the fair.
Community State Bank has proudly served the communities of Southeast Wisconsin since 1898. It is a locally owned and operated community bank headquartered in Union Grove, Wisconsin. For more information, please visit CSB.bank.
