Report from the Fair: Still Life and Whirling Rides

Dozens of 4-H Eggs. Many to Be Auctioned on Saturday. The Reporter's Dozen are Very Top Left.

By Brigid Ehrmantraut

This year’s County Fair is jam packed full of paintings, preserves, and spinning. Both 4-H and Open categories contain  nonliving projects from cut flower arrangements to knitting to dozens of eggs.

Jam is particularly prevalent. 4-H alone displays over 25 different varieties, including jellies, canned fruits, and pickles. That doesn’t even begin to take into account mixes in a jar. Open class also takes up quite a bit of space with three sides of a shelved partition full of jars — especially some nifty syrups.

The horticulture tent was densely laid out, taking into account the overflowing bounty. Emily Reid, past horticulture judge (and proud owner of last year’s ginormous cabbage!) visited the Fair for the first time in twenty years and walked away delighted.

The fiber arts barn was bustling and busy. There wasn’t a free square inch in the bright and diverse quilt section. Gretchen Scherzinger’s beautiful wedding gown was prominently displayed, complete with lace and rosettes.

The popular activity of table decorating sprung to life in the 4-H building with displays ranging from Modernist Cuisine to an African meal to a Bridal Shower Brunch. Also prevalent among 4-H youth was photography–though most agree this is one of the most difficult classes. The county’s budding Astronomy Club was well represented in still life, as were a carved walking stick project from Shaw and several baking groups. Other entries involved jewelry, a couple of meticulous container gardens, a relatively small sewing section, some short stories and poems, and a well-decorated knitted hat class.

The Zipper calls to the young and strong of stomach at this year's County Fair, through Saturday, August 20

Earlier today Derek Buffum won the  Large Animal Round Robin competition.  Other events today were Dog Obedience,  the evening Costume Contest, nightly Horse Gaming, and more chicken/rabbit/duck races.

Only three people entered the costume contest, with one person bringing  two different costumed critters: everyone won!

The food court offers everything from corn dogs to ethnic food, such as Thai, to more gourmet along the lines of ahi burgers and sushi.

Rides this year include the ever-popular Zipper (the one with cages that you can flip upside-down to your heart’s content whilst the entire contraption is spinning.

Saturday will bring the 4-H Livestock Auction at 2 p.m. Come Support 4-H!