Judging Adams County Fair

Changes in Exhibit Building bring positive feedback

By Chrystal Doucette

Herald staff writer

OTHELLO — The Adams County Fair’s Exhibit Building received positive feedback from fairgoers on opening day Wednesday.

Building Superintendent Sandi Dodge said visitors are commenting favorably about the building’s decor.

In line with the fair theme, “Scarin’ up some fun,” scarecrows are displayed along the walls.

“We’re really proud of our exhibits this year,” said Dodge. “They’re absolutely wonderful, and the decorations are super.”

New mirrors were added to the shelves of preserved food, which may be reflecting the light and making the building appear more open, Dodge noted.

Decorations aren’t the only thing fairgoers will notice in the building.

“In some of our categories, (participation) has increased tremendously,” Dodge said.

Categories with more entries include ceramics, food preservation, baked goods and clothing, she said. In addition, Camp Fire USA is participating for the first time.

Eight participants vied Wednesday for a $25 award in the Homemaking Contest, Dodge said.

To qualify for the Homemaker’s Award, an entrant must receive blue ribbons in four of the six categories of needlework, clothing, food preservation, flowers, baked goods and horticulture.

Dodge talked with judges Wednesday as they prepared to score each candidate.

Judge Joann Rowley said her entire family is involved with canning, including her husband Mark and two young children, Dustin, 2, and Morgan, 19 months. The family cans green beans, cherries, peaches, apples, asparagus, applesauce and salsa.

This year, her family plans to make raspberry-applesauce for the first time.

“I love canning,” Rowley said. “I love food preservation.”

Mark received a Ball Corporation award for cherries, as well as ribbons for peaches and apples. Morgan received a Ball Corporation award for a jar of green beans, and Dustin received a ribbon for his green beans.

Rowley received two ribbons for her peaches and a Ball Corporation award for green beans.

She said her children love canning food. Whenever they see green beans, they want to can them, she said.

“It’s just really good, I think, for kids to participate in everything,” Rowley said.

The family sells their canned goods at farmers’ markets.

It is Rowley’s second year judging at the fair. She said when she first moved to Othello four years ago, she thought volunteering would be fun.

Last year, she was asked to be a judge.

“I like learning a little more about each section and what makes a good product in each section,” Rowley said.

She said judges independently score each entrant for the Homemaker’s Award. Scores are averaged to determine a winner.