Contests allow more to participate in the fair
Ed Cope
Preparing the apple pies and angel food cakes for judging during last year’s Fayette County Fair in the Fiddlers Building (from left) are Nancy Herring, Wendy Friend, judge Melissa McKulka; Heidi Garee and Kathy Hair, apple pie contest chairwoman.
Amanda Steen | Herald-Standard
Women line up for the best legs competition during last year’s senior citizens’ contest at the Fayette County Fair.
Apple pies and chocolate cakes are important at the Fayette County Fair. So are chugging milk, decorating round bales of hay and being a senior citizen.
That’s because the fair hosts contests for all of those throughout its 10-day schedule, bringing people in for some old-fashioned fun.
“There are seniors who tell us it’s the only day they come and they’re glad we have it,” said Hazel Blaney, who serves on committees for several contests. “I think there are people who come because they’ve entered the apple pie contest and their families come to see if they win.”
The contests draw them in and once there, they can discover a slew of events at the fair. They include livestock judging, musical acts and demolition derbies.
In addition, the contests allow more people to participate in the fair.
“I think it’s real important to include people,” said Blaney.
The fair board is noting that both the apple pie contest and the chili cook off are observing their 25th anniversaries and the premiums for both contests have been increased for this year only. They will return to normal levels next year.
A list of this year’s contests include:
n Angel food cake and apple pie: Judging takes place at 1 p.m. July 26 in the Fiddlers Building.
n Chocolate cake and chocolate cookie: Judging is held at 1 p.m. July 27 in the Youth Building.
n Chili: The cook-off begins at 11 a.m. Aug. 2 in the Fiddlers Building, with judging at 2 p.m. There are separate competitions for chili and booth decorations.
n Diaper Derby: Judging is at 5 p.m. July 29 in the Fiddlers Building.
n Family Fun Night: The series of contests takes place July 31 and begins at 3:30 p.m. in the Show Arena with animal dressing and then at 5 p.m. in the Indoor Arena with contests that include milk-chugging.
n Fayette Idol: Showcasing talented adult and teenage singers, the fair will hold semifinal competition at 7 p.m. July 30 and final competition at 7 p.m. Aug. 1 in the Fiddlers Building. Preliminary judging will take place before the fair.
n Little Princess and Little Prince Pageant: Judging for girls and boys ages one to four takes place at 6 p.m. July 26 in the Fiddlers Building.
n Round hay bale decorating: Judging takes place at 9 a. m. on July 25.
n Scarecrow: Judging takes place during closed judging in the Youth Building on July 29
n Senior citizens: The contest begins at 1 p.m. July 30 in the Fiddlers Building.
n Squash: Judging takes place during closed judging in the Youth Building on July 29.
More information on rules and entry deadlines are available online at www.fayettefair.com under the fair catalog category.