County fair spotlights youth projects, skills

By Kelly Moore
Valley Journal
Keeping up with local tradition, the Lake County Fair’s wholesome lineup of activities, exhibits and competitions kept area residents busier than ever.
“I thought it was an excellent fair. We had lots of entries and lots of people,” MSU Extension Agent Nori Pearce said.
The fair board worked hard this year to promote community involvement in the fair, and it seems to have paid off.
“Overall, I think our exhibits are up,” Pearce said. Fair Secretary Brianna Lake confirmed the numbers, saying that this year’s 256 entries were about 200 more than last year.
In the open class divisions the fair saw 89 entries in the art department, four in collections, four in cowboy crafts, 55 in crafts, 67 in culinary, two in doll-making, two in experiments, 17 in age five and under, 73 in floriculture, 56 in horticulture, one in leathercraft, five in models and aerospace, 26 in needlecraft, 255 in photography, 23 in poultry, 13 in rabbits, eight in sewing, three in animal fiber and 14 in woodworking.

In the 4-H, FFA and youth groups divisions the fair saw two entries in the activities and exhibits department, eight in aerospace, six in art, 26 in cats, 5 in child development, 12 in cowboy poetry, 57 in dogs, two in electricity, four in entomology, seven in exploring 4-H, six in sport fishing, 109 in foods and nutrition, one in forestry, 14 in gardening, seven in leadership, 21 in leathercraft, 158 in cloverbuds, 172 in photography, six in pocket pets, 58 in poultry, 73 in rabbits, three in self-determined, 60 in sewing and textiles, 54 in shooting sports, one in small engines, three in veterinary science, one in weeds, eight in wildlife, 26 in woodworking, 23 in needlework, one in outdoor adventures, four in dairy, 136 in beef, 162 in swine, 66 in sheep, 28 in goats, 99 in horses, and 10 in FFA.
With such a large amount of entries this year, Pearce noted that hard work from volunteers kept activities moving along like clockwork.
“We never did get off schedule … I think it ran as smoothly as possible,” Pearce said.
Hundreds of volunteers throughout the community came together to make the event a success.
“The volunteers make it happen … we have a great group,” Pearce said. “They get there first thing and the morning and, well, a lot of them stay the night there to make sure the animals are OK.”
“It’s mostly about the kids. Everything we do we plan it for kids first, making sure to keep it family friendly,” Pearce explained.
Not only are fair activities designed for youth involvement, but the youngsters are also pretty much the stars of the show.
The majority of class divisions for exhibits were for 4-H, FFA and youth groups, and most entries took all year to finish.
“The fair is really a culmination of everything,” Pearce explained.
Youth work year-round to prepare for the fair with guidance from volunteer leaders in the 4-H program.
“It’s all about the learning experience,” Pearce said. “The 4-H kids did excellent and learned lots.”
Pearce explained that, “4-H is all about teaching life skills.” She said that no matter what the project is, members are always learning some kind of management skills.
“We try to make sure that’s the focus,” Pearce said.
And all the hard work put in by the youth doesn’t go unnoticed. Every year, the community participates in an auction to bid on animals raised as 4-H projects.
“Seriously, I get overwhelmed every year by the generosity of the community. Every year I’m overwhelmed,” Stivers said. “It’s amazing what tremendous support the youth have from Lake County.”
Even though the fair is focused on celebrating the achievements of local youth, organizers made sure to provide plenty of entertainment for all. This year fairgoers enjoyed additions to the fairgrounds as well as the fair schedule.
The first ever pit-spitting contest went down without a hitch and patrons also enjoyed freshly-planted grass.
No doubt even more additions will be waiting for crowds next year at the county fair that gets better every year.

Grand and Reserve Winners

Activities & Exhibits
Club/Group Scrapbook-by members
Grand, Brittnee Lake
4-H Member Scrapbook
Grand, Darian Blixt-Leo

Aerospace
Lift Off
Grand, Tyler Kelsch

Art
Art 2 - Art In Your Future
Grand, Cassidy Cheff
Reserve, Korrie Frisk

Beef
Grand Champion Market Steer
Grand, Kelsey Clairmont
Reserve, Kyla Olson
Novice Beef Showmanship
Grand, Kolby Chisolm
Reserve, Jessica Bagnell
Beef Showmanship, Jr.
Grand, Tawnie Kerr
Reserve, Cheyanne Smith
Beef Showmanship Sr.
Grand, Kyla Olson
Reserve, Kristi Fullerton
Bull Calf
Grand, Kelsie Blevins
Reserve, Kerry Woodruff
Overall Grand Champion, Beef Breeding Female
Grand, Kyla Olson
Reserve, Shilani Stipe
Champion Red Angus Female, any age
Grand, Chance Frame
Reserve, Katie Smith
Champion Charolais Female, any age
Grand, Shilani Stipe
Reserve, Derika Stipe
Champion Simmental Female, any age
Grand, Lindsay Clairmont
Champion Crossbred Female, any age
Grand, Kelsey Clairmont
Reserve, Lindsay Clairmont
Champion Black Angus Female, any age
Grand, Kyla Olson
Reserve, Kaitlyn Woodruff
Bite Into Beef, Unit 1
Reserve, Lindsey Tryon

Cat
Purr-fect Pals, Unit 1
Grand, Ashley Shenyer
Climbing Up! Unit 2
Grand, Hallie Hovenkotter
Novice Cat Showmanship
Grand, Jade Gray
Jr. Cat Showmanship
Grand, Hallie Hovenkotter
Reserve, Alyssa Liddle-Young
Sr. Cat Showmanship
Grand, Nolie Bartell
Reserve, Kayla Hertz
Longhair, 3 months to 1 year
Grand, Alyssa Liddle-Young
Reserve, Jade Gray
Shorthair, 1 to 2 years
Grand, Kayla Hertz
Reserve, Tonya Hertz
Longhair, over 2 years
Grand, Hallie Hovenkotter
Reserve, Ashley Shenyer
Shorthair, over 2 years
Grand, Alyssa Liddle-Young
Shorthair Cat Overall
Grand, Kayla Hertz
Longhair Cat Overall
Grand, Hallie Hovenkotter

Child Development
Growing in Communities, Unit 3
Grand, Kylee Wegner
Reserve, Kylee Wegner

Cowboy Poetry
Cowboy Poetry
Grand, Payton Fitzpatrick
Reserve, Tel Motichka

Dairy
Dairy Queen
Grand, Megan Wieder
Dairy Princess
Reserve, Sierra Hutchin
Dairy Showmanship, Jr.
Grand, Megan Wieder
Dairy Novice Showmanship
Grand, Sierra Hutchin

Dog
Sub Novice A, first year obedience
Grand, David Cullis
Reserve, Courtnee Clairmont
Sub Novice B, 2nd and 3rd years
Grand, Bridgette Lake
Reserve, Jade Gray
Novice B, 2nd and 3rd years
Grand, Marisa Reber
Reserve, Michaela Blevins
Small Dog Agility
Grand, Britnee Lake
Reserve, David Cullis
Medium Dog Agility
Grand, Madeline Hewston
Reserve, Michaela Blevins
Large Dog Agility
Grand, Bridgette Lake
Reserve, Olivia Hewston
Novice Dog Showmanship
Grand, Alana Carlson
Reserve, Josey Motichka
Jr. Dog Showmanship
Grand, Jade Gray
Reserve, Claudia Hewston
Sr. Dog Showmanship
Grand, Bridgette Lake
Reserve, Michaela Blevins
Wiggles ‘n’ Wags, Unit 1
Grand, Kane Shenyer

Entomology
Creepy Crawlies, Unit 1
Grand, Tyler Kelsch

Exploring 4-H
Discovering 4-H, level 1
Grand, Gatlin Schiela
Reserve, Sabin Perry

FFA
Shop/Class Project
Grand, Alex Greenfield
Reserve, Justin Bilile
Supervised Agricultural Experience
Grand, Bridgette Lake
Reserve, Bridgette Lake

Foods and Nutrition
Beginning Foods
Grand, Tristan Shantee
Reserve, Kalista Clark
Six Easy Bites
Grand, Courtney Vaughan
Reserve, Sierra Hutchin
Tasty Tidbits
Grand, Morgan Andres
Reserve, Rachel Hoyt
You’re the Chef
Grand, Katelyn Matkovich
Reserve, Kelsey Cable
Foodworks
Grand, Blake Wadsworth
Quick Meals
Grand, Blake Wadsworth
Exploring Our Food Heritage
Grand, Blake Wadsworth
Reserve, Cassidy Cheff
Let’s Bake Bread
Grand, Kylee Wegner
Reserve, Ronny Cullis

Forestry
Forestry, Independent Study
Grand, Shannon Rohrlach

Gardening
See Them Sprout, Level 1
Grand, Hallie Hovenkotter
Branching Out, Level 2
Grand, Dani Howlett
Reserve, Claire Bick

Goat
Goat Showmanship, Novice
Grand, Jade Gray
Reserve, Teagan Gray
Goat Showmanship, Jr.
Grand, Abby Knight
Reserve, Shelby Vincent
Goat Showmanship, Sr.
Grand, Rachael Lake
Goat Herdsmanship
Grand, Jade and Teagan Gray
Reserve, Connor Daugherty
Pure Breed Dairy Goat, Saanen
Grand, Teagan Gray
Reserve, Shelby Vincent
Pure Breed Dairy Goat, Nigerian Dwarf
Grand, Abby Knight
Reserve, Abby Knight
Pure Breed Meat Goat, Boer
Grand, Connor Daugherty
Reserve, Connor Daugherty
Pure Breed Meat Goat, Pygmy
Grand, Rachael Lake
Cross Breed Goat
Grand, Connor Daugherty
Reserve, Abby Knight
Wether Goats
Reserve, Connor Daugherty

Horse
Colt to Maturity - Yearling/Halter
Grand, Bridgette Lake
Reserve, Payton Fitzpatrick
Yearling - Lunge Line
Grand, Payton Fitzpatrick
Reserve, Bridgette Lake
Colt to Maturity - 3 year old
Grand, Michaela Blevins
Ranch Horse, level 1
Grand, Michaela Blevins
Ranch Horse, level 2
Grand, Lexi Bagnell
Western Pleasure 9-11 Open
Grand, Shelby Snyder
Reserve, Cheyanne Morrison
Western Pleasure 12-14 Open
Grand, Lexi Bagnell
Western Pleasure 15 & over
Grand, Deondra Brown
Western Horsemanship, Level 1
Grand, Josey Motichka
Western Horsemanship, Level 2
Grand, Shelby Snyder
Reserve, Cheyanne Morrison
Western Horsemanship, Level 4
Grand, Lexi Bagnell
Western Horsemanship, Level 5
Grand, Deondra Brown
Reserve, Bridgette Lake
Western Equitation 15 & over Open
Grand, Bridgette Lake
Reserve, Deondra Brown
English Pleasure 12-14 Open
Grand, Lexi Bagnell
Reserve, Claire Bick
English Pleasure 15 & over Open
Grand, Bridgette Lake
Reserve, Deondra Brown
English Horsemanship, Level 4
Grand, Deondra Brown
Reserve, Bridgette Lake
English Equitation 12-14 Open
Grand, Claire Bick
Reserve, Lexi Bagnell
English Equitation 15 & over Open
Grand, Bridgette Lake
Reserve, Deondra Brown
Showmanship – yearling
Grand, Bridgette Lake
Showmanship 9-13
Grand, Alanna Carlson
Reserve, Claire Bick
Showmanship - 14 & over
Grand, Bridgette Lake
Reserve, Deondra Brown
Showmanship - Colt to Maturity (levels 2-5)
Grand, Michaela Blevins
Colt to Maturity - Yearling Trail
Grand, Payton Fitzpatrick
Reserve, Bridgette Lake
Trail 9-11
Grand, Skyler Frame
Reserve, Grey Fitzpatrick
Trail 12-14
Grand, Lexi Bagnell
Trail - 15 & over
Grand, Bridgette Lake
Reserve, Deondra Brown
Hunter Hack
Grand, Claire Bick
Packing, Level 1
Grand, Tel Motichka
Reserve, Trevor McAllister
Packing, Level 2
Grand, Trevor McAllister
Reserve, Payton Fitzpatrick
Packing, Level 1 - related activities
Grand, Tel Motichka
Reserve, Tel Motichka
Horsing Around/Giddy Up & go, Unit 1
Grand, Grey Fitzpatrick
Independent Study
Grand, Katie Jo Sprague

Leadership
Teen Leadership
Grand, Kristi Fullerton

Leathercraft
Leathercraf, Unit 1
Grand, Robert Rider
Reserve, Robert Rider
Leathercraft, Unit 2
Grand, Micah McClure
Reserve, Jake Bartschi

Photography
Adv. With Camera(A)/Focus on Photography
Grand, Julia Matkovich
Reserve, Courtney Molzhon
Adv. With Camera (B) Controlling the Image
Grand, Madison Foust
Reserve, Kelsey Clairmont
Adv. w/Adjustable Cameras/Mastering Photography
Grand, Kayla Lynch
Photography - Independent Study
Grand, Danielle Crockett
Reserve, Danielle Crockett

Pocket Pets
Pet Pals, Unit 1
Grand, Nathan Delaney
Reserve, Nathan Delaney

Poultry
Standard Breed
Grand, Nichole Lake
Reserve, Kane Shenyer
Bantam Breed
Grand, Ashley Shenyer
Reserve, Kane Shenyer
Bantam Breed Trios
Grand, Ashley Shenyer
Ducks
Grand, Nichole Lake
Reserve, Nichole Lake
Turkey
Grand, Kane Shenyer
Reserve, Ashley Shenyer
Geese
Grand, Nichole Lake
Reserve, Nichole Lake
Pigeons
Grand, Nichole Lake
Reserve, Nichole Lake
Peafowl
Grand, Nichole Lake
Peafowl-Female
Reserve, Nichole Lake
Best of Show
Grand, Nichole Lake
Reserve, Kane Shenyer
Novice Poultry Showmanship
Grand, Kane Shenyer
Reserve, Ashley Shenyer
Jr. Poulty Showmanship
Grand, Lake, Nichole

Rabbit
Fur/Wool Breeds
Grand, Lake, Nichole
Reserve, Lake, Nichole
Dwarf Breeds
Grand, Claire Bick
Reserve, Daniel Romero
Crossbreed of Mixed Breed
Grand, Ashlee Berens
Reserve, Jade Gray
Heavy Weight/Commercial or Giant Breed Doe
Grand, Alanna Carlson
Reserve, Taelor Conrad
Light Weight or Small Breeds Doe
Grand, Teagan Gray
Lightweight or Small Breeds
Reserve, Nichole Lake
Doe & Litter – Wool
Grand, Nichole Lake
Best of Show
Grand, Nichole Lake
Reserve, Claire Bick
Sr. Rabbit Showmanship
Grand, Amanda Berens
Reserve, John Romero
Jr. Rabbit Showmanship
Grand, Jasmine Bocksnick
Reserve, Cade Howlett
Novice Rabbit Showmanship
Grand, Alanna Carlson
Reserve, Landar Fangsrud
Making Tracks (Jump Ahead), Unit 2
Grand, John Romero
Reserve, Daniel Romero

Self-Determined
Self-Determined
Grand, Erika Siegelin
Reserve, Amanda Andres

Sewing and Textiles
Knitting
Grand, Dawn Blevins
Reserve, Kelsie Blevins
Quilting/Patchwork/Applique
Grand, Tawnie Kerr
Reserve, Tawnie Kerr
Sew Much More/Fashion Forward Wardrobe
Grand, Dawn Blevins
Reserve, Kelsie Blevins
Under Construction Wardrobe Exhibit
Grand, Alyssa Liddle-Young
Reserve, Courtney Taylor
Sew On & Sew Forth/Define Design Wardrobe Exhibit
Reserve, Britney Cheff
Under Construction/Sew & Have Fun Level 1
Grand, Courtney Taylor
Reserve, Alyssa Liddle-Young
Fashion Forward/Sew Much More Level 2
Grand, Cassidy Cheff
Reserve, Dawn Blevins
Sew On & Sew Forth, Unit 3
Reserve, Britney Cheff
Sr. Fashion Revue
Grand, Dawn Blevins
Reserve, Britney Cheff
Jr. Fashion Revue
Grand, Cassidy Cheff
Reserve, Alyssa Liddle-Young
Fashion Revue – Knitting
Grand, Dawn Blevins
Reserve, Kelsie Blevins

Sheep
Market Lamb
Grand, Morgan Andres
Reserve, Bridgette Lake
Novice Sheep Showmanship
Grand, Alex Greenfield
Reserve, Landers Smith
Sheep Showmanship Jr.
Grand, Tonya Hertz
Reserve, Taelor Conrad
Sheep Showmanship Sr.
Grand, Brittnee Lake
Reserve, Bridgette Lake
Sheep Breeding Stock - Suffolk Ewe
Grand, Ronny Cullis
Reserve, David Cullis
Sheep Herdsmanship
Grand, Tyler Kelsch
Reserve, Kayla and Tonya Hertz
Shear Delight, Unit 2
Grand, Bridgette Lake
Reserve, Brittnee Lake

Shooting Sports
Competition - Pellet Rifle - Junior
Grand, Micah McClure
Reserve, Cody Grant
Competition - Pellet Rifle - Senior
Grand, Victoria Jensen
Reserve, Chris Mutchler
Competition - Archery - Junior
Grand, Cody Grant
Reserve, Tel Motichka
Competition - Archery - Senior
Grand, Chris Mutchler
Reserve, Drew Fouty
Most Points Rifle & Archery Cumulative – Junior
Grand, Micah McClure
Reserve, Cody Grant
Most Points Rifle & Archery Cumulative – Senior
Grand, Chris Mutchler
Reserve, Victoria Jensen
Shotgun
Grand, Rafe Fangsrud
Archery
Grand, Kolby Chisolm
Reserve, Micah McClure
Rifle
Grand, Landar Fangsrud
Shooting Sports - Independent Study
Grand, Cody Grant

Showmanship
Sr. Large Animal Round Robin
Grand, Bridgette Lake
Reserve, Brittnee Lake
Jr. Large Animal Round Robin
Grand, Abby Knight
Reserve, Jade Gray
Sr. Small Animal Round Robin
Grand, Bridgette Lake
Reserve, Amanda Berens
Jr. Small Animal Round Robin
Grand, Nichole Lake
Reserve, Jade Gray
Overall Large Animal Round Robin
Grand, Bridgette Lake
Overall Small Animal Round Robin
Grand, Jade Gray

Small Engines
Crank It Up, Unity 1
Grand, Trinceton Brown

Sport Fishing
Take the Bait, Unit 1
Grand, Tyler Kelsch
Reserve, Adam Carlson
Reel in the Fun
Grand, Dillon Delaney

Swine
Market Hog
Grand, Blake Wadsworth
Reserve, Sienna Brown
Feeder Pig
Grand, Cheyanne Smith
Novice Swine Showmanship
Grand, Cade Howlett
Reserve, Dani Howlett
Jr. Swine Showmanship
Grand, Jade Gray
Reserve, Sienna Brown
Sr. Swine Showmanship
Grand, Rochelle Toussaint
Reserve, Candance Durham
Breeding Stock – Yorkshire
Grand, Tel Motichka
Breeding Stock – Hampshire
Grand, Josey Motichka
The Incredible Pig, Unit 1
Grand, Keergan Fangsrud

Veterinary Science
From Airedales to Zebras, Unit 1
Grand, Abby Knight
All Systems Go, Unit 2
Grand, Deondra Brown

Weed Science
Weeds on the Move, Unit 2
Grand, Lindsey Tryon

Wildlife
Wildlife Level 1 Montana Big Game
Grand, Dillon Delaney
Wildlife Level 1 Montana Upland Game Birds
Grand, Dillon Delaney

Woodworking
Measuring Up - Unit 1
Grand, Danny Blevins
Reserve, Shilo Kerr
Making the Cut - Unit 2
Grand, Cade Howlett
Reserve, Cade Howlett
Nailing It Together - Unit 3
Grand, Latham Blevins
Reserve, Houston Blevins