General Info:
I-90 EXPO CENTER Southern Minnesota is so beautiful in the summer time and today is no exception. The fields are green from the recent rains and a soft breeze blows the tall grass back and forth; almost as if it were nodding in approval of this sunny afternoon. The main highway that stretches across this part of the world is Interstate 90. As my tires hum a rhythmic tune, I see the exit I've been watching for, off to the right, just up ahead. It's the Sherburn Highway No. 4 exit. Sherburn is a typical small town with a population of approximately 1, 000 people. It's a quiet and sleepy afternoon with a couple pickup truck drivers side by side visiting in a neighborly way. The approved head gear is the cap with seed corn ads or implement logos. Yup, this is hard core farm country. I'm looking for the I-90 Expo Center , I inquire of the young farmer in the dually pickup truck. Oh, that's easy, just take a left by the grain bins and go south about a mile. There's no way you can miss it! Having mentally stowed away the directions, I drove off to find my destination. It was a Friday evening and when I topped this hill just south of town, it looked like a small city abuzz with activity. The parking lot was full of horse trailers and pickups. The sound of horses' shrill whinnies filled the quiet country air. Western hats bobbed up and down as the wrangler clad visitors went about their work to get their stock settled for the night. Tomorrow it would be an early day of competition, fun and excitement. I shoe horned my half ton truck into a tight parking space and slid out of the truck and set my feet on the forty acre site of the Expo Center. Greg and Mike picked this site to build their multi-purpose facility for a number of reasons. First was its location to the interstate. Second was the motel and other guest options available in three directions and within fifteen minutes. Third, the site had some good buildings they could utilize in their master plan. Fourth, it was close to their hometown of Odin, Minnesota, where they live and manage their other businesses. And last, it was in the country where their guests could relax, take a deep breath of fresh country air and forget the city for a day or two. The highlight of the complex is the mammoth three hundred by one hundred fifty-foot indoor arena. The floor is 70% sand and 30% clay, just the right surface for performance animals. Just off, but connected, are the offices, a large box stall barn, a commercial restaurant, a cowboy bar and of course the state of the art sale ring with it's oversized ring, theater seating and high tech video equipment including a large screen front projection TV with surround sound. In it's first big year, the I-90 has been home to major concerts featuring country music talents such as Dwight Yoakum, Trace Adkins, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Gary Allan. It has hosted a USTRC Roping, a big machinery auction, flea market, Mexican festival with bull riding and high school and professional rodeos, indoor motocross, clinics and shows. But, really the main events at the I-90 are the horse sales held every other month. The emphasis is on quality horses that are gentle, sound, broke and of course pretty. Greg and Kathy's daughter Codi has taken on the role of preparing I-90 horses for private and auction sales. Her horsemanship skills are excellent. She also provides a service of preparing, grooming and showing horses that will be sold at the facility for their owners. She assists in all aspects of the care of the horses at the I-90 Expo Center. Buyers and sellers have driven thousands of miles to buy and sell horses at the I-90. Why, you ask? Because the Johnson family advertises heavily, promoting the sales and other events in national and regional publications. Additionally, the sale horses are randomly blood tested for drugs, keeping out horses that may not be safe or sound. The Johnsons are also known for their family hospitality with free hamburger