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Randolph Fair participation increases

The 10th annual Randolph County Fair saw an increase in the number of competitors, both youth and adults, entering exhibits in the culinary, produce, field crop and craft competitions. Twenty-seven exhibitors entered in produce and field crops, 10 showed canned goods, 12 participated in crafts, and 13 competed in the baked foods, candies and miscellaneous categories. A total of 184 entries were received for judging. The event is open to anyone wishing to enter and has multiple categories with cash prizes.

The Randolph County Fair Association presented premier exhibitor plaques and $30 awards to the persons entering 10 or more exhibits who had the highest point averages based on ribbon scores (blue-3, red-2, white-1) in canning, baking, produce and field crops.

The culinary premier canning exhibitor award went to Stephanie Bender with a 2.57 average on 14 entries. The recipient of the culinary premier baking exhibitor plaque and $30 award was Hazel Wood with a 2.45 average on 11 entries. Stephanie Bender took home the culinary quantity exhibitor plaque for the most entries totaling 15. Runner-up was Hazel Wood with 11 entries.

In the canned foods section of the culinary competition, the following individuals received a best of show $10 award from the Randolph County Fair while the runner-up received recognition and an honorable mention certificate for their entries, respectively: canned vegetables – Lesia Gibson (veggie soup), Leisa Gibson (whole tomatoes); canned fruits – Stephanie Bender (applesauce); pickled, fermented foods and sauces – Lesia Gibson (pickled beets), Sally McCann (bread and butter pickle); butters, jams, jellies, preserves – Dawn Swecker (peach butter), Margaret Skidmore (strawberry jam); and meat honorable mention certificate – Stephanie Bender.

The best of show $10 award winners in the baked foods section of the culinary competition and runner-up honorable mention certificate, respectively, were: pies – Lesia Gibson (apple dumpling); cakes – Andrea Warner (pumpkin roll), Joyce Harper (peanut butter pound cake); cookies – Hazel Wood (brownies), Jo Linger (chocolate chip cookie); candy-Jonathan Riggleman (peanut butter candy); bread – Hazel Wood (pumpkin bread), Johanna Riggleman (blueberry muffins); and miscellaneous-Pam Kwasniewski (eggs), Stephanie Bender (honey).

The produce competition attracted 22 exhibitors. Two tied for the produce quantity plaque with 13 entries each. They were Jo Linger and Greta Fitzgibbon. With 13 entries and an average score of 2.615, Greta Fitzgibbon took the premier produce plaque and $30 award. Runner-up was Don Wood with a 2.6 average on 10 entries.

Best of show produce entry winners of $10 awards in six produce categories and honorable mention certificate winners, respectively, were: beans – Don Wood, Jo Linger; onions – Greta Fitzgibbon, Don Wood; peppers – Don Wood, Greta Fitzgibbon; potatoes – Andrea Warner, Jo Linger; tomatoes – Pam Kwasniewski, Greta Fitzgibbon; and fruit – Pam Kwasniewski (strawberry), Shaunna Taylor (watermelon).

This year’s field crop premier plaque and $30 award went to Rusty Linger, and Noah Kimbleton received the largest pumpkin plaque and $30 award.

The craft competition continues to be a popular event for both youth and adult competitors. Kathy Hamrick of Elkins captured best of show in the adult division as did Summer Turner in the youth division. Each received a $10 award.

Hannah Fincham, Randolph County WVU Families and Health Extension Agent commented, “We are very happy with the turnout of exhibits, and I thank those that exhibited. It is my hope that competitive exhibits will continue to grow and provide a fun activity for years to come.”

Judges for the competitions included Kadra Casseday, local artist – crafts; Barbour County CEOS – culinary; and retired WVU Extension Agent Voras Haynes – produce, field crops, and largest pumpkin. Special thanks go to the family of Don and Annie Wood and Tygart Valley LIONS Club for sponsoring the produce exhibit awards; and Miss Randolph County Fair Queen MaKenzie Cooper and Miss Teen Fair Queen Morgan Swisher for presenting awards.

For more information, visit the Randolph County Fair website at randolphcountyfairwv.com, email Hannah.Fincham@mail.wvu.edu or call the Randolph County WVU Extension Office, 32 Randolph Avenue, Suite 102, Elkins at 304-636-2455.

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