There are some things that people can count on when they make their annual visit to the Rock County Fair.
The Luverne Farm Store booth in the gold commercial building is one of those constants.
For 71 years the local company has connected with current and future customers at the fair.
“We can see more customers in three days at the fair than we see in three months at the office,” said Gary Golla, owner and president of the Luverne Farm Store.
Golla remembers being in an old commercial building as a very small child soon after his father, George Golla, started the company in 1948.
Golla said the Farm Store is one of the — if not the — longest-running continuous participants in the fair’s commercial building.
Gary’s son Nate Golla, the company’s vice president, has also spent lots of time in the fair booth over the years.
“It’s a lot of fun to be down here,” Nate Golla said.
“Our guys all take turns in the booth and they enjoy meeting the customers,” he said. “And it’s good for our customers to see our staff in a different setting.”
Gary Golla joked that his role in the fair booth has changed over the years.
“I need to be here at least one night because I’m the only one who knows all the old-timers,” he quipped.
Nate Golla said a presence at the fair is also good for business.
“We typically gain five to eight new customers each year,” he said.
Just as important, according to Nate Golla, is the support for the fair and community that the booth provides.
“Being a part of the fair is just a great way to support the community,” he said. “That’s why we keep coming back.”