by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
Local resident Cyril “Cy” Pfannenstein had a popular booth at the 47th annual Central Minnesota Farm Show held Feb. 25-27 at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. His booth offered visitors a chance to purchase a variety of old-time music and polka favorites.
The Central Minnesota Farm Show is organized and coordinated by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce and is one of the largest in the Upper Midwest states
Pfannenstein, 61, owns “Cy Pfannenstein Music Service” and sells a variety of compact discs.
He played his polka music throughout the show and many people stopped to visit at the booth. Pfannenstein said many commented on how they remember their parents playing that kind of music on the radio.
“Polka music is always happy music,” Pfannenstein said. “We had a fun, fun time at the Farm Show.”
Pfannenstein said his mother, Ginny Pfannenstein, 81, is his right-hand helper at the shows. She had some health issues this fall but still enjoys the shows.
“She said as long as the good Lord gives her the strength, she’ll keep going to the shows,” Pfannenstein said.
Pfannenstein is a former band member who played the drums, trumpet and concertina in bands for more than 35 years.
He had one 10- by 10-foot booth at the Farm Show and sold only polka music. He also sells at Albany Pioneer Days in September and usually sets up three 12- by 16-foot booths there. Pfannenstain offers a variety of music at Pioneer Days, including gospel, country, bluegrass, polka and more. Some of his compact discs are also available at the St. Joseph Meat Market.
Besides selling music, Pfannenstein also hosts a Sunday morning radio show on KASM radio station of Albany, and is in charge of the sausage department at the St. Joseph Meat Market.
Pfannenstein has been married to Janet for 41 years. They are the parents of three children.
Central Minnesota Farm Show’s special events coordinator Ginny Kroll said this year’s show attracted more than 3,200 visitors with more than 370 booths and 216 exhibitors. Exhibits included a robotic milking display, corn stoves, tractors, trailers and more. Educational seminars on “Fundamentals of Tile Drainage” and “Keeping the Farm in the Family” were also offered.
Ten percent of annual revenues generated from the show supports agriculture in central Minnesota, such as Dairy Day in Sauk Centre, area seminars and more. Kroll said a total of 190 scholarships, for a total of $66,000, have been awarded to people pursuing agricultural careers. This year again, eight $400 scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors who will go into agricultural careers.
“Each year we do our best to make (it) bigger and better,” Kroll said. “It gives farmers a unique opportunity to check out the newest products in agriculture. It also gives exhibitors a chance to meet their customers in person. The Central Minnesota Farm Show offers something for everyone with an interest in agriculture.”
For more information or to order Pfannenstein’s music, call 320-290-9867 or visit his website www.cysmusic.com.
Mother and son, Ginny and Cy Pfannenstein, worked at Cy’s booth at the 47th annual Central Minnesota Farm Show held Feb. 25-27 at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. Pfannenstein played and sold polka music at the booth.
