Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Fair was much fun

Hot and humid was the feel of the weather during the 2002 Clark County Fair; however, it didn't seem to dampen the spirits of fair goers.

It was a busy week in Clark County. Monday started off with the cleaning buildings and making final preparations for the events taking place at the fair.

Tuesday started off as a busy and hectic day as educational booths were set-up, arts, vegetables and other goods were registered along with several entries in the Pretty Baby Contest.

At 6 o'clock Tuesday evening lots of smiling faces were seen on children's faces as the carnival opened with armband night.

All livestock, poultry and rabbits had to be entered before 7 p.m. Livestock and poultry superintendents worked diligently to register each entry and make sure they were in their correct places.

This called for a busy day for the many who showed animals at the fair. Most exhibitors are school students who can't get their animal to the fair until they get out of school. Once they arrive at the fair they must find a pen to place their animal in. Animals must be washed and fed before they can be left.

Clark County's Extension Homemakers made sure everyone had a chance for good hot food from their kitchen.

Fair week is a busy time. Finding something other than a good ole' funnel cake or candied apple to fill tummies with is what the Extension Homemakers help do.

The Campbell Family Band and Redline kicked off their show in the industrial building at 7 p.m. They played a variety of country and rock music. Young and old danced and enjoyed the music.

Wednesday was a big day for judging ornamental plants and flowers, baked goods, horticulture and farm crops.

It is hard to list all the winners of these groups due to the volume of entries in so many different categories, however several from the Gurdon area entered and won. They were: Mickey Dempsey and Zach Smith.

However, if you visited the fair you saw all the beautiful quilts and Afghans entered. Most of them took many tedious hours to complete.

Mary McBride brought home a Grand Champion ribbon for a quilt she had made her grandson.

Elizabeth Wilson won a ribbon for her entry in the adult linen category.

Judy Malcom, Louisa Stone and Lorece Friemon all won ribbons for their needlework.

Joyce Rutherford won a Grand Champion ribbon for an embroidered pillow she made.

Elizabeth Ezell was another Gurdon resident bringing home a Grand Champion ribbon for her needlework.

People who entered crafts showed off some really wonderful work. Most of the crafts entered were woodworking. Some of these included wood cutting, chairs, a homemade boat and several other items.

Austin Halliday won third place with a birdhouse he made and entered in the youth division.

Genell Borden and Judy Hittenrauch both placed with their entries in the floral category.

Some really beautiful glass decorated plates were entered and brought home ribbons by, Joyce Rutherford, Friemon and Jean Toland.

Toland also won a ribbon for her scarp book entry in the paper section.

Wednesday also involved Clark County's Fair Parade. The weather was a little warm, but still pleasant. Bands from every public school and college participated in the parade.

Contestants and winners of the Fair Queen Pageant also rode in the parade.

Many of the floats and other participants showed their patriotism by carrying or decorating with American flags.

Swine, sheep, and goats were judged that night starting at 6:30 p.m. Winners of the Sheep show were: Grand Champion, Elizabeth Ezell and Reserve Grand, Krista Crawley.

Winners of the goat show were: Grand Champion, Kristen Land and Reserve Grand, Hodge Hunter.

Winners of the swine show were: Grand Champion Kristen Land and Reserve Grand Justin Mallett.

Thursday night at 6:30, the Livestock judging began. Winners of the show were: Grand Champion Beef Christopher Richardson, Reserve Grand Champion Beef Preston Richardson.

Winners of the 4-H Poultry Chain Chicken judging was: Grand Champion, Kristen Land and Reserve Champion, Daniel Reeves.

Friday night was one of the busiest nights all week despite high school football games, as the night the rodeo began. The rodeo drew a big crowd.

Saturday morning at 10 the 4-H sponsored it's poultry chain sale. Many people were on hand for that occasion.

The George Sharp Junior Livestock Sale began at 10:30 a.m. in the livestock barn.

David Stafford was the auctioneer for the sale. Stafford said he enjoyed watching the youth work with their animals and he always enjoyed Clark County's sale because it was one of the best he had ever seen.

"Clark County supports it's youth. I handle several premium sales and this one is by far the best. These kids work hard and Clark County show's it's appreciation," said Stafford.

Stafford was presented with a plaque of appreciation by Justin Mallett, Gurdon FFA President. Jordan Haltom presented a plaque of appreciation to Ronnie Farnam, manager of Petit Jean Poultry.

After the sale an appreciation lunch was enjoyed by all exhibitors and purchasers.

All youngsters registered in the Pee-Wee show were ready to go at 7 p.m. This is something that has grown over the past few years.

Youngsters are assigned an animal by an exhibitor and then they are placed in the show ring before a judge.

These children were full of excitement as they entered the ring. Each child was a winner in the show.

It was a fun and busy week in Clark County, leaving most fair goers tired yet still anticipating next year.