Look behind the scenes with a producer of ‘Jerry Apps: Meet Us at the Fair’

February 3, 2025 Tara Lovdahl Leave a Comment

In the new PBS Wisconsin documentary, Jerry Apps: Meet Us at the Fair, beloved Wisconsin author and storyteller Jerry Apps weaves together the over 180-year history of Wisconsin fairs through his memories as a 4-H leader, fair judge and lifelong fairgoer.

Premiering 7 p.m. Monday, March 3, on PBS Wisconsin, visit several Wisconsin fairs and hear heartfelt perspectives of fairgoers young and old, as Jerry shares not only how fairs have evolved over the decades but also the ways in which the fair is a part of our state’s identity. 

Jerry Apps: Meet Us at the Fair will also be available shortly after the premiere at pbswisconsin.org and streaming on the free PBS app.

In anticipation of the premiere, PBS Wisconsin talked with producer Mary Pokorney-Donelan about her experience creating this fun and nostalgic documentary. 

PBS Wisconsin: What was it like filming a production at a bunch of fairs?

Mary Pokorney-Donelan: All of the county fair and the [Wisconsin] State Fair people that we worked with were fabulous. They bent over backwards for anything we needed. When we were setting up these interviews, it was very challenging. We had to find a location that had a great background, that had access to power and would be protected from the elements in case it rained.

There were some long days, but rewarding. The atmosphere made it fun.

PBS Wisconsin: What made this a special topic to collaborate with Jerry?

Pokorney-Donelan: In his book that this documentary is inspired by, “Meet Me on the Midway: A History of Wisconsin Fairs,” not only does Jerry explain the history of 4-H, FFA and the state fair, but he went through every single Wisconsin county fair and provided a short description of their history, which is fascinating. He also shared some of his memories, his dad’s memories at the fair, growing up in 4-H and how he evolved into being a judge.

So, it was great to work with Jerry and consider, “How are we going to weave together sharing your memories with the history element of this documentary?”

Also, Jerry’s such a great storyteller, and the main theme of the documentary is how the fair brings the community together and how it can bring urban and rural people together. Jerry said he wishes there was more of that in the world.

PBS Wisconsin: How did the narrative come together?

Pokorney-Donelan: It was very basic: Let’s break down — what is a fair? 

What was interesting is that the lead videographer and editor, Alma Garcia Bello, didn’t really have a huge history of Wisconsin county fairs, and so she did not realize all of the elements. 

She thought, “Well, a fair is going to be food and rides and games,” not knowing that all these people have worked with their animals and they’re showing them and what goes into that with judging. Plus the exhibits and all the volunteers. So it was a matter of breaking those smaller elements down and then figuring out how they naturally float into one another. 

PBS Wisconsin: Do you have any fun behind-the-scenes stories?

Pokorney-Donelan: One of the things that we figured out on the crew, myself included, is that no one wanted to get on the rides because none of us have a solid stomach. But, I did volunteer one time to go on the Tilt-A-Whirl when we went for a night shoot and I had the GoPro. Oh my goodness! I was screaming. I was so glad to get off that ride.

Another fun thing was going around buying as many food items on a stick as we could because we have this great montage of food on a stick. Jerry loves to talk about that. We were searching the fairgrounds thinking, “What can we buy?” and then we weren’t going to eat it, so we actually gave it to passersby saying, “Oh, do you want these hamburgers on a stick?”

PBS Wisconsin: What was your favorite part of working on this documentary?

Pokorney-Donelan: It was hearing everybody’s stories about what they love about fairs. If you talk to any person that’s ever been to a fair, their face lights up. There’s something that was special to them, whether it was a crazy time when it was raining and they were on rides, or showing their champion cattle and winning the grand champion, or they were afraid to try projects and then they got a ribbon for it. I loved hearing people’s experiences and stories of what the fair meant to them.

What is fascinating is that the main thread was that many of them grew up very poor. They couldn’t afford as many rides and things like that, but they always remember when the fair came, and it was a week full of just fun. Especially for the older adults, they might see these people once a year, but it will be at the fair, and so that’s their “fair family.” Their stories were the most special to me.

PBS Wisconsin: What do you hope people take away from Jerry Apps: Meet Us at the Fair?

Pokorney-Donelan: I really hope that the documentary just puts a smile on their face, evoking their own memories of the fair, whether it be on the midway, or being part of 4-H, or going as a family or meeting friends. I hope it evokes that smile and memories for them.

Made in Wisconsin Jerry Apps