Powder River Examiner -

By PR Extension Service

"I had blue ribbon flowers," remarked one fair exhibitor.

"Did you see my Reserve Grand Champion ribbon!" exclaimed another.

"How about that photo of the mule deer bucks? I've never seen anything like it," said yet another person, who appreciated the photography display.

"I loved the beautifully crocheted afghan made with soft pastel colors," said another fair goer. The quality of the open class exhibits at this year's Powder River County Fair was remarkable and it showcased the incredible talent and skills of the community.

There was extra incentive for people to enter in open class thanks to individual sponsors. Cash prizes went to the top three exhibitors in each section. Scoring is based upon the number of quality entries per exhibitor in that division. Note how many people won in several areas including fair book dedicatee Sandy Smith, Bonnie Lyda, Robin Reames and Laura Lee Ullrich. Their hard work, talent and creativity were certainly appreciated and recognized.

ART: Grand Champion Adult Art – Ann Emmons, Reserve Grand Champion Art – Ronda Gatlin, Grand Champion Professional Art – Lana Smith, Reserve Grand Champion Professional Art – Kate Ruland, Grand Champion Youth Art – Shaylee Bilbrey, Reserve Grand Champion Youth Art – Rebekah Rasmussen. Cash awards for art went to Lana Smith - 1st Place, Kate Ruland – 2nd place, and Connie Barnhart – 3rd place. Sponsors include Jesse and Connie Barnhart and Art and Soul Artisans Society.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Grand Champion Youth Photography – Delaney Ruland, Reserve Grand Champion Youth Photography – Tori Emmons, Grand Champion Amateur Photography – Kelly Beker, Reserve Grand Champion Amateur Photography – Sharon Billing, Grand Champion Advanced Amateur Photography – Bonnie Lyda, Reserve Grand Champion Advanced Amateur Photo – Sandy Smith, Grand Champion Very Experienced Photography – Kate Ruland, Reserve Grand Champion Very Experienced Photo – Ann Emmons, Grand Champion Professional Photography – Lana Smith, Reserve Grand Champion Professional Photography – Lana Smith. Cash awards for photography went to Kelly Beker – 1st place, Bonnie Lyda – 2nd place and Sandy Smith – 3rd place. Cash award sponsors are Tom and Ann Emmons.

CLOTHING: Grand Champion Adult Clothing – Louise Talcott, Reserve Grand Champion Adult Clothing – Cathy Ruland, Grand Champion Youth Clothing – Delaney Ruland, Reserve Grand Champion Youth Clothing – Reece Emmons.

HANDWORK: Grand Champion Adult Handwork – Bonnie Lyda, Reserve Grand Champion Adult Handwork – Elaine George, Grand Champion Adult Quilting – Elaine George, Reserve Grand Champion Adult Quilting – Cathy Ruland. Cash awards for Clothing and Handwork went to Elaine George – 1st place, Cathy Ruland – 2nd place and Louise Talcott – 3rd place. Cash award sponsors are Dennis and Bonnie Lyda.

FOOD: Grand Champion Adult Food – Sandy Smith, Reserve Grand Champion Adult Food – Caeligh McCarthy, Grand Champion Canned Food – Laura Lee Ullrich, Reserve Grand Champion Canned Food – Sharon Billing, Grand Champion Youth Food – Landon Powell and Reserve Grand Champion Youth Food – Francheska Bannan. Cash awards went to Laura Lee Ullrich – 1st place, Robin Reames – 2nd place and Sandy Smith – 3rd place. Cash award sponsors are Jim and Jacy Collins.

CRAFTS: Grand Champion Adult Crafts – Stanley Damm & Bonnie Powell, Reserve Grand Champion Adult Crafts – Bonnie Powell, Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Professional Crafts – Laura Lee Ullrich, Grand Champion Youth Crafts – Reece Emmons, Reserve Grand Champion Youth Crafts – Ashton Madsen, Grand Champion Youth Legos – Kayleigh Opstedahl and Reserve Grand Champion Youth Legos – Michael & Mason Stephens, Grand Champion Gourd Art – Sandy Williams, Reserve Grand Champion Gourd Art – Blondie Woolston. Cash awards went to Robin Reames – 1st place, Laura Lee Ullrich – 2nd place and Bonnie Powell – 3rd place. Cash award sponsors are Duane and Debbie Talcott.

Judges check out the artwork on display at the Fair.

FLOWERS: Grand Champion Adult Flowers – Bonnie Lyda, Reserve Grand Champion Adult Flowers – Laura Lee Ullrich, Grand Champion Adult Plants – Vera Clements, Reserve Grand Champion Adult Plants – Kathy Roberts, Grand Champion Adult Arrangements – Laura Lee Ullrich, Reserve Grand Champion Adult Arrangements – Bonnie Lyda. Cash prizes for flowers went to Laura Lee Ullrich – 1st place, Bonnie Lyda – 2nd place and Sandy Smith – 3rd place. Cash award sponsors are Tim and Gaylene Fortner.

CROPS: Grand Champion Youth Crops – Justin Aye, Grand Champion Adult Crops – Owen Rumph and Reserve Grand Champion Adult Crops – Shane Wheeler.

GARDEN: Grand Champion Adult Garden – Louise Talcott, Reserve Grand Champion Adult Garden – Janet Rice, Grand Champion Youth Garden – Justin Aye, Reserve Grand Champion Youth Garden – Kayleigh Opstedahl, Grand Champion Adult Fruits – Don Birkholz, Reserve Grand Champion Adult Fruits – Robin Reames, Grand Champion Adult Herbs – Janet Rice and Reserve Grand Champion Adult Herbs – Cecelia Earley. Cash awards went to Janet Rice – 1st place, Louise Talcott – 2nd place and Robin Reames – 3rd place. Cash award sponsors are John and Di Barbero.