Fair Open Class Results

During this year's County Fair, the community center was the coolest, most welcome spot to find respite from the triple digit temperatures. It was also quite beautiful. The Center was filled with hand-made and home-grown items that showcased the talent of Powder River County's citizens.

"This is the biggest crops display we've ever had," explained Kathy Roberts, Garden and Floral Superintendent. Indeed it was with competition in alfalfa hay, and entries of alfalfa seed, field peas and more.

Ann Emmons stepped in as Open Class Superintendent for Arts and her daughter Jacy took over as Open Class Superintendent of Photography when there was an unexpected vacancy in the arts superintendent position. Both areas had incredible photographs and competitive art pieces. The children's art section filled the walls with color and the number of adult art pieces was up significantly.

There is both a Gourds and a special Legos section of the fair, areas where there is special interest and enthusiasm. The Legos are encouraged by the staff at the Henry Malley Memorial Library. Vera Clements, Crafts Superintendent organized and displayed two huge areas for crafts and it was certainly needed. Additional superintendents who found volunteers, assisted judges and organized their displays included Audrey Kistler in Foods, Bonnie Lyda and Linda Bird in Clothing and Handwork.

Bonnie Lyda and Ann Emmons have also created incentive for people to enter in Open Class. They were seen at their computers late on Friday afternoon tabulating the results for first, second and third place prizes in each section. Prizes are based on both the quality and quantity of the items brought to the fair in each section of the adult division. This year's results are as follows:

Foods: 1st Place – Robin Reames, 2nd Place – Jacy Collins, 3rd Place – Janet Rice;

Clothing & Handwork: 1st Place – Cathy Ruland, 2nd Place – Elaine George, 3rd Place – Buntsy Burley; Photography: 1st Place – Jacy Collins, 2nd Place – Bonnie Lyda, 3rd Place – Mae Gress, Sandy Smith, Kate Ruland; Art: 1st Place -- Lana Smith, 2nd Place – Ann Emmons, 3rd Place – Sonja Harrington; Crafts: 1st Place -- Blondie Woolston, 2nd Place – Robin Reames, 3rd Place – Laura Lee Ullrich ; Floral: 1st Place – Bonnie Lyda, 2nd Place – Alyson Ragsdale, 3rd Place – Norman Turnbough & Vera Clements; Garden: 1st Place – Janet Rice, 2nd Place – Laura Lee Ullrich, 3rd Place – Alyson Ragsdale. Prizes are sponsored by Jesse and Connie Barnhart, Dennis and Bonnie Lyda, Duane and Debbie Talcott, Tim and Gaylene Fortner, Jim and Jacy Collins, John and Di Barbero, and Tom and Ann Emmons.

Open Class Results for Adult and Children :

Foods – Children: Grand Champion – Maci Emmons, Reserve Grand Champion – Trace Emmons; Foods – Adult: Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion – Robin Reames;

Clothing – Children: Grand Champion – Reece Emmons, Reserve Grand Champion – Maddie Brownfield; Clothing – Adult: Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion – Cathy Ruland;

Handwork – Adult: Grand Champion – Elaine George, Reserve Grand Champion – Buntsy Burley; Quilting – Adult: Grand Champion – Elaine George, Reserve Grand Champion – Cathy Ruland; Photography – Children: Grand Champion – Emma Isaacs, Reserve Grand Champion – Delaney Ruland; Photography – Amateur: Grand Champion – Bonnie Lyda, Reserve Grand Champion – Lisa Lynch; Photography – Advanced Amateur: Grand Champion – Kate Ruland, Reserve Grand Champion – Ann Emmons: Photography – Very Experienced: Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion – Lana Smith; Art – Children 9 & Under: Grand Champion – Brooke Escott, Reserve Grand Champion – Reece Emmons; Art – Children 10-14: Grand Champion – Darren VerWolf, Reserve Grand Champion – Payton Rumph; Art – Children 15-18: Grand Champion – Kiarah Coulter, Reserve Grand Champion – Rachel Rasmussen. Children's Open Class Art awards were sponsored by Big Sky Photography. Art – Adult: Grand Champion – Ronda Gatlin, Reserve Grand Champion – Sonja Harrington ; Art – Advanced Amateur: Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion – Ann Emmons ; Art – Professional: Grand Champion – Lana Smith, Reserve Grand Champion – Kate Ruland; Crafts – Children: Grand Champion – Madelyn Zimmer, Reserve Grand Champion – Kade VerWolf; Crafts – Adult: Grand Champion – Cassy Biesheuvel, Reserve Grand Champion – Layla Preite ; Crafts – Advanced Amateur: Grand Champion – Laura Lee Ullrich, Reserve Grand Champion – Kate Ruland; Gourds - Grand Champion – Sandy Williams, Reserve Grand Champion – Blondie Woolston; Legos: Grand Champion – Kayleigh Opstedahl, Reserve Grand Champion – Mason Stephens; Flowers – Adult: Grand Champion – Norman Turnbough, Reserve Grand Champion – Bonnie Lyda ; Plants – Adult : Grand Champion – Vera Clements ; Arrangements – Adult : Grand Champion – Alyson Ragsdale, Reserve Grand Champion – Sandy Smith; Garden – Children: Grand Champion – Alexis Gotfredson, Reserve Grand Champion – Darren VerWolf; Garden – Adult: Grand Champion – Janet Rice, Reserve Grand Champion – Laura Lee Ullrich; Fruit – Adult: Grand Champion – Laura Lee Ullrich, Reserve Grand Champion – Betty Aye; Herbs – Adult: Grand Champion - Janet Rice; Crops – Children : Grand Champion – Justin Aye, Reserve Grand Champion – Mesa Graff ; and, Crops – Adult : Grand Champion – Ben Minow, Reserve Grand Champion – Owen Rumph.