Open Class entries top 2,000 at PC Fair

Though officials at the Phillips County Fair knew there would be less exhibitors than last year at the 100th fair last year, they weren’t sure how the numbers would rank when compared to the 2014 event.

When all the entries had been judged, ribbons awarded and checks cut and signed, a total of 298 exhibitors entered a total of 2,138 entries. The 2016 Phillips County Fair exceeded the 2014 numbers (231 exhibitors and 1,916 entries in 2014) and came close to the huge numbers at the 100th Phillips County Fair (340 exhibitors and 2,252 entries last year.)

“It felt like we were busier than most years,” said Joy Linn at the Phillips County Fair Office. “We didn’t have a clue how it would go this year, but once the entries started coming in, we were like ‘wow’.”

Nearly 30 people volunteer to help judge entries, set up displays and work the premium booths each year. Entries were due at 8 p.m. on Thursday and most of Friday was spent setting up displays and judging entries. At this year’s fair, the largest payout by category was Needlework, Art and Hobbies (which has been the case in at least the last three years) paying $1,889, or just over 33-percent of the premiums offered in that classification this year.

A total of $5,013 was paid out this year ($5,269 last year and $4,674 in 2014) out of a possible $17,406 in premiums offered.

In 2014, Rose Teske finished in second place as far as total winnings from entries and last year she finished third. At the 2016 fair, Teske took top honors with a total of $198 in premiums paid (more from Rose next week in the Phillips County News. )

Besides the 119 exhibitors in the arts, 67 people participated in Floriculture, 49 in grain/grass/vegetable/fruit, 41 in culinary, 11 in livestock, all five Phillips County schools were represented and all six communities participated with exhibits.

2016 Fair Winnings

Top Five

Rose Teske, $198

Kayla Jo Ottinger, $155

Loretta Menge, $145

Doris Sjostrom, $141

Susan Hofer, $138

Grand Purple Winners

Decorated party cake: Tara Gouker. Peanut butter cookies: Cream puffs: Doris Sjostrom. Addison Ulrich. Pizza Sauce: Joy Linn. Caramel Rolls: Jean Mavencamp. Ranch French bread: Doris Sjostrom. Fruit filled cookies: Doris Sjostrom. Rhubarb pie: Dixie Moore. Dried jerky: Carl Kaasa. Honey Devil's food cake: June Mavencamp. Sandwich rolls: Madison Wahl. Ornamental Kale: Toni Ziegler. Cabbage: Loretta Menge. Canola: Becky DePuydt. Green beans: MaRae Smail. Millet: Loretta Menge. White Glads: Joyce Wright. Oriental Lily: Joy Linn. Arts and Crafts: Kassidy Modic, Brittany Sorlie and Sidney Meeks. Bells of Ireland: Rose Teske. Hybrid Tea Rose: Grace Lucas. Patio Pots: Dixie Moore. Succulent Garden: Joy Linn. Kids Flowers: Nolan Moore. Woman Past 60 wall hanging: Joan Christofferson. Machine Quilted quilt: Jean Henderson. Wall hanging quilt: Joy Linn. Acrlyic Painting: Billie Sky Ozark. Leatherwork: Jessica Fetter. Photography: Kathleen Hughes. Potography Child: Kari Koss. Jewelry: Nikki Fast Horse. Nature Craft: Kathleen Hughes. Woodburning: Brenner Moore. Craft: Allen Williamson. Rock collection: Carson Ottinger. Rock collection: Kayla Jo Ottinger. Colored pencil: Corvin Salveson. Christmas item: Blake Ozark. Legos: Justine Lamb. Legos: MaRae Smail. Woodworking: Allen Williamson.

Reserve Pink Ribbons

Corn relish: Susan Hofer. Plain Rolls: Madison Wahl. Caramels: Doris Sjostrom. Cherry pie: Doris Sjostrom. Chiffon cake: Toni Ziegler. 100% whole wheat bread: Jean Mavencamp. Brownies: Giona Lamb. Ginger snaps: Sue Olsen. Potatoes: Terri Cole. Ripe tomatoes: Katie Peterson. Sweet corn: Jorgen Olson. Denim pillowcase: Ree Simonson. Crib quilt: Sue Olsen. Charcoal pencil: Brianne VanHoudt. Christmas item: Emma Ereaux. Legos: McKinley Skiff.