Ireland named fair's grand marshal

Wednesday, June 25, 2003

Last week, the Elmore County Fair Board announced that Elmer W. Ireland would be Grand Marshal for this year's Elmore County Fair and Rodeo.

The announcement was made during a special social hour of the Board at Carmela Restaurant. Ireland was lured to the social under the false pretense of a wedding anniversary dinner for his sister-in-law.

Shock was more like it. Ireland looked a little bewildered when Cathy Willie-Hill, Executive Director of the Elmore County Fair Board, made the announcement. Elmer's wife Barbara was in on the deception and beamed with delight at the news.

Elmore was born in 1928 in Boise, Idaho. Elmer's parents, Mary and Peter Ireland, ranched in Prairie and he grew up and attended school there.

As a young man, Elmer worked on the Obie Beck Ranch in Mayfield, learning the trials, tribulations, and pleasures of working on the land. He later enlisted in the U. S. Army; attended basic training in California and served as a heavy equipment operator in Alaska.

After a two-year term with the Army, Elmer returned to Prairie to work on the family ranch with his father and brother. In April 1955, he married Barbara Proshold, of Boise. The couple continued to live on the Prairie and raised three sons, Walt, Steve and Bob.

Elmer and Barbara have seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Over the years, Elmer and his family have done custom haying and combining throughout the Prairie area, while continuing to ranch there and in Mountain Home. Elmer is an avid horse lover, enjoying horse shows, horse sales, horse races and rodeos.

Elmer was one of the groundbreakers of the Elmore County Fair. He was instrumental in establishing the 4-H horse and 4-H beef projects. He worked alongside his sons as they entered the Fair each year with the animal projects.

"Throughout the years, Elmer has been an excellent source of information, knowledge and health," says Mir Seyedbagheri, Elmore County Extension Educator. Elmer and Barbara still reside in Prairie and ranch with the help of their grandson Jake. Elmer has continued to work and be involved with the Elmore County Fair and enjoys participating in and watching the many youth activities.

He takes great pride in having been a ringmaster for the past eleven years and intends to be in the ring for many years to come.

Alice Trail, a former winner, nominated Elmer as this year's Elmore County Fair and Rodeo Grand Marshal.

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