Montana Fair 2013

Yesterday we headed to the fairgrounds to enjoy this summer's fair. It was a fun afternoon spent with family and friends.

Enjoy a tour of the fair as we explore the many buildings and exhibits.

 We enjoyed walking through the barns and inspecting the animals.

 This big guy was one of the grand champion steers. He is a Maine-Anjou cross.

 Our neighbors did very well with their sheep, winning three big awards! 

After we finished looking over the animals, we headed to the Heritage Arts building. We had entered items in the horticulture and culinary departments. 

 Our prize-winning yellow wax beans.

 Yellow squash

 Ben holding our winning zucchini  - heaviest division 

It weighed over 6 pounds. 

 Sally with our pickling cucumbers. They won the Heritage Award!

Here is a listing of our Horticulture entries and the results:

Pickling cucumbers – 2^nd + Heritage Award

Cherry tomatoes – 3^rd  

Zucchini – 4^th 

Heaviest Zucchini -  1^st 

Beets – 2^nd

Green Beans – 2^nd

Yellow Wax Beans – 1^st

Dill Cucumbers – 1^st

Fresh herbs – 4^th

The results from the Culinary department: 

Emily with her winning pie crust.

Dried thyme – 1^st

Dried basil – 1^st

Dried marjoram – 1^st

Dried sage – 1^st

Dried parsley – 1^st

Whole wheat pie crust – 1^st + Heritage Award

Gingersnaps– 1^st + Heritage Award

Chocolate cake (unfrosted) – 1^st

Chocolate cupcakes – 1^st

Cranberry bread – 1^st

Chocolate chip cookies – honorable mention

Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies – 2^nd

Pumpkin bread – 1^st

Ginger cookies – 1^st

Chocolate bread – 1^st + Heritage Award 

With the Heritage Arts building behind us, we went on to find our other entries.

On the way to the Ag Building, we were tempted by these delicious goodies!

 Beautiful caramel apples!

 There was fabulous-looking fudge as well!

 Shiny, candy-coated apples

We all resisted the temptation and passed by the delicious-looking treats!

Outside, we saw many tractors, farm implements, trucks, and cars on display.

On to the Ag Building, we quickly found our entries.

 Our Indian Corn entries took 1st and 2nd in Flint Ear Corn competition.

Below are the results from the Crops department:

Ear corn (dent) – 1^st and 4^th

Ear corn (flint) – 1^st and 2^nd

Oats – 2^nd and 4^th

Shelled corn – 1^st and 5^th

Cereal grain hay – 1^st

Grass hay – 1^st

Grass/legume hay – 1^st and 2^nd

3^rd cutting alfalfa – 1^st

Our freshly-baled second cutting hay won a blue ribbon! 

We hurried over to the wool area to check on our fleeces. 

Darcy's fleece won first in her division plus Overall Reserve Grand Champion! Darcy's fleece also took Reserve Grand Champion last year! She's a winning ewe!

Ellie Mae's blue ribbon.

 Dorcas was first in her class.

Here is a detailed description of the awards from the 
Hand-Spinning Wool division.

White 58's to 62's - (Doris – 1^st, Caramel – 3^rd)

White 56's and Less (Daisy – 1^st, Evelyn – 2^nd, Delores – 3^rd)

Black 56's and Less (Ellie Mae – 1^st, Dee – 2^nd, Fern – 3^rd)

Colored 56's and Less (Darcy – 1^st, Charity – 2^nd, Sheila – 3^rd)

Colored 58's to 62's (Dorcas – 1^st)

Overall Reserve Grand Champion  - Darcy

 Evelyn's 2nd place fleece

 Sheila took third in her division

 Fern's fleece on the left and Daisy's fleece on the right

 After we were done in the Ag Building, we enjoyed watching the carnival rides.

 We are grateful to the folks who host the fair on and provide a place for us to compete and showcase our products. Thank you to all our friends and customers who support us year after year and help us improve our products! 

 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. - Psalm 69:30