“Make an Edible Bug” Contest is back…

Make an Edible Bug Contest at The Linn County Fair is back again this year! Children ages 10 and under must construct a “bug” using edible materials and then bring it to the Farm Bureau Free Entertainment Tent on Thursday, June 27, 2013.

There will be three age classes: 5 years old and under, 6 & 7 years old, and 8-10 years old. Bugs should be created with foods such as: any fresh fruit or vegetable available; pastries including cake, Twinkies, cookies, etc.; candy (must be unwrapped); breads, pasta, dried beans or peas, etc.

Insect related prizes will be given for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place in each age class. The first 75 participants will receive a Bug Coloring Book from The Linn County Fair Association and our generous sponsor of this contest – Certified Pest Control.Each participant can only enter one bug. It should be displayed on a plate or piece of cardboard no bigger than 10” x 10”. Each entry must include a 3” x 5” card that states what kind of bug it is and what food was used to construct it.  The entry will be judged on overall appearance and creativity. After the competition is over, the contestant can either eat their entry or take it home with them.

2012 Winner

For more information and registration forms go to http://thelinncountyfair.com/2013/open-class-shows/open%20contest%20registration/2013-edible-bug-registration.pdf

For questions contact Sue Abel at sueabel@thelinncountyfair.com.

 

The Linn County Fair in Central City from June 26th- July 1st,  2013
www.thelinncountyfair.com

Barnyard Wars – Need Participants

The Linn County Fair Association is looking for participants to be part of the Barnyard Wars on Wednesday, June 26th at 7:30pm in the grandstand at the fairgrounds in Central City.

The contest is open to teams of three, broken up in three age groups with no resident restrictions. Age groups include the Junior Division – Grades 4th to 7th graders, Senior Division – 8th to 12th graders, and Open age adult division. All team members must fall into the same age group.

The contest will be made up of a two person obstacle course. The pair must get 6 eggs in a basket, tossing from one person to another. After completing that they will run and dress up in farmer clothes, where the girls dress up as the guys and vice versa. Then they will tie their legs together to run the three legged race to the tire roll while carrying the basket of eggs.

The third team member will do the milk chugging contest to see who the fastest chugger is. In case of a tie we will have a mystery tie breaker event. All teams must arrive the night of the event by 7pm. The event is FREE to the general public to watch the Barnyard Wars in action.

In between the heats there will be a “cow chip tossing” contest. The contest is open to kids 3 to 8 years old, split up into two age groups. The younger kids (3 to 5 year olds) will stand 10 feet away and try to toss one “cow ship” into a water trough, while the older kids will stand 15 feet away to try to toss the “cow chip” into a water bucket.

Awards will be given to the top three teams and youngster in each age group. Special thanks to River Valley Cooperative for sponsoring the event. 

Pre-registration is highly encouraged for teams and youngsters. To register please email barnyardwars@gmail.com with team’s name, participant names and ages, or youngsters name and age for the “cow chip tossing” contest. Contest is limited to 10 teams and 10 youngster participants, first come first serve basis. If any slots are still open the day of the event, registration will be open from 8am to 4pm, go to Gate Building at the fairgrounds to register.

The Linn County Fair in Central City from June 26th- July 1st, 2013
http://www.thelinncountyfair.com

Fair Receives Alliant Energy Foundation’s Community Grant

 

With the help of the Alliant Energy Foundation’s Community Grants Program The Linn County Fair Association has been able to purchase a new stage for the Farm Bureau Free Entertainment Tent. The stage purchased is safer and easier to assemble then the current fair stage. The new stage will provide a safer experience for all performers and crew during the fair. The grant was made through the Alliant Energy Foundation’s Community Grants Program. The Foundation awards community grants to specific projects benefiting the community in the areas of arts, education, environment, and human and civic needs.

“We are pleased to be able to assist with The Linn County Fair’s new entertainment venue,” said Julie Bauer, Alliant Energy Foundation Executive Director. “The new stage and equipment will enhance the Fair’s shows for all to enjoy.”

 

 

Alliant Energy Foundation

 The Alliant Energy Foundation is a philanthropic organization created by Alliant Energy Corporation and is operated as a separate entity led by its own board of directors. The Foundation is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where Alliant Energy employees, retirees and customers live and work. The Foundation, which is funded solely by Alliant Energy shareowners, seeks to further the corporation’s goal of being a good corporate citizen and contributing member of society. Since 1998, the Foundation has contributed more than $40 million to innovative projects and local non-profits. For more information, visit alliantenergy.com/foundation.

The Linn County Fair in Central City from June 26th- July 1st,  2013
www.thelinncountyfair.com

Open Amateur Wine Making Contest 2013

Iowa is becoming known for their locally grown and produced wine.  The Linn County Fair and Déjà Vine Vineyards & Winery are excited to host the Open Amateur Wine Making contest again this year at The Linn County Fair on Saturday, June 29, 2013 to help show case some of the amateur wines in Iowa.

The Amateur Wine Making contest is open to all Iowa residents and participants are encouraged to pre-registry by going to http://thelinncountyfair.com/open-classes.html. Entries will be received Saturday, June 29, 2013 between 8 am – 9 am at The Linn County Fair in Central City.

General Rules:

• Must be 21 years old to enter.
• One bottle per entry required.
• Bottles must be standard 750ml bottles with no labels, clean including the outside of bottle
• One entry per class.
• Variety of grapes, berries, fruit, vegetable, flower, or herbs used must be listed for each bottle
• No commercial wineries
• Wines will be judged on a 20-point scale for: sight, smell, taste, finish, and overall.

Categories:

• Division I: Varietal Wines  
  • Note: Varietal wines are made using grape juice from European, California or warm weather grapes
  • Class:
    1. Red, dry
    2. Red, sweet
    3. White, dry
    4. White, sweet
    5. Blush, dry
    6. Blush, sweet
•  Division II: Non-varietal Wines 
• Note: Non-varietal wines are made from grapes grown regionally or cold weather grapes
• Class:
  1. Red, dry
  2. Red, sweet
  3. White, dry
  4. White, sweet
  5. Blush, dry
  6. Blush, sweet
• Division III: Country Wines Division 
•  Class:
  1. Berries, dry
  2. Berries, sweet
  3. Fruit, white dry
  4. Fruit, white sweet
  5. Fruit, red dry
  6. Fruit, red sweet
  7. Rhubarb
  8. Vegetable
  9. Flower/herb
• IV: Mead 
• Division V: Other/cider
  

There will be a question and answer session with Al Meyers from Deja Vine Winery after the competition.  The public is encouraged to participate. For more information on our other open contest go to http://thelinncountyfair.com/open-classes.html

Linn County Fund Grant- Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation

The Lynn Dunn Memorial Building Project has come a long way with the first dollars being donated by Dunn’s family to different grants The Linn County Fair Association has received including the Linn County Fund grant from the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. To date $341,365 has been raised for the building project.

The Linn County Fund gives priority to enhancing quality of life and community development outside the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area. Priority is given to applications from non-metro communities in Linn County. Organizations based in the Cedar Rapids area may apply for projects benefiting non-metro Linn County with support and partners identified within the community being served. The Linn County Fair Association was awarded $15,000 for the Lynn Dunn Memorial Building Project.

Grant applications were reviewed by the Linn County Fund committee. The grant committee is supported by the program staff of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation in conjunction with the Linn County Board of Supervisors.

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation (GCRCF) is a public charitable organization holding nearly 600 different charitable funds, large and small, established by families, nonprofit agencies and businesses to benefit Linn County, Iowa. GCRCF enhances quality of life through philanthropy, connecting donors to priorities they care about and to the needs of the community. GCRCF provides leadership on important community issues and provides nonprofits, donors and fundholders with the highest level of philanthropic stewardship and professional services. For more information, visit www.gcrcf.org or visit us on Facebook.

Lynn Dunn Memorial Building Project

The Lynn Dunn Memorial Building Project is in honor of a man whose passion was The Linn County Fair. Lynn served as a board member for many years even holding many leadership positions within The Linn County Fair Association with great pride and diligence. He also served as director of the Association of Iowa Fairs Northeast District before his passing.

Lynn’s dream was to take The Linn County Fair to the next level. He helped bring this dream to life by bringing back the carnival, providing concerts, and more grandstand events. His next dream was to have a building on the Linn County Fairgrounds that was an “all year” building. It would include meeting rooms, kitchen and exhibition hall. Currently the fairgrounds have to shut down during the months of October-April. With this new facility the fairgrounds will be open all year long for 4-H meetings, board meetings, receptions, etc. For information on the project and how you can contribute please contact Deb Zumbach, Partnership Manger at 319-350-5297 or deb@thelinncountyfair.com.

Left to right: Les Garner, President & CEO of GCRCF, Deb Zumbach, Director of Finance & Partnerships for The Linn County Fair, and Elizabeth Cwik, Program Officer.

The Linn County Fair in Central City from June 26th- July 1st,  2013
www.thelinncountyfair.com

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“Challenge Grant” – Lynn Dunn Memorial Building Project

The Linn County Supervisors have supported The Linn County Fair for many years, which has allowed the fair to grow to where it is today. With the help of the “Challenge Grant” provide by the county supervisors, the fair has been able to double the money they raised for the Lynn Dunn Memorial (LDM) Building Project from June 1, 2012 to December 2012. The Linn County Fair Association raised $50,000, which was doubled with the “Challenge Grant.”

Left to Right: Neal Horning presenting the Linn County Cattlemen check to Jean Dunn & Deb Zumbach

The Fair Association did several different fundraisers to help raise the money for the LDM Building Project. Some of the fundraisers included the Anniversary Cookbooks that many of the local 4-H clubs helped sell. The fair’s annual “Kick-off” event and auction in the fall that helped raised over $21,000 towards the fund. The “2×4 Campaign” that was held prior to the 2012 fair that allowed individuals to donate $200 to the fund in turn for a 4 pack of grandstand booklets.

The annual 4-H/FFA livestock auction that was held at the 2012 fair was a big fundraisers with some 4-hers that donated to the project the money they raised from the selling of their livestock . The 4-Hers included Allison Zumbach, Morgan Lefebure and the Poultry Committee that auctioned off fresh eggs and homemade cookies.

Deb Zumbach, Director of Finance and Partnerships for The Linn County Fair, said one of her most memorial things about being involved in this project was “seeing 4-H members get involved, whether it was selling cookbooks or auctioning their animals and donating the money.” She added her involvement with the project was rewarding. “Plus knowing I have a part in making Lynn’s dream come true has been memorable.  Lynn was a huge mentor to my children and to see his dream come true has become a dream of not only me but my families.”

Deb Zumbach

The LDM Building Committee has put in many hours to coordinate all the details of the building and how to raise the money for the project. Special thanks to the committee for their commitment to this project- Louie & Deb Zumbach, Bud & Kris Blackford, Stephen Martin, Jean Dunn and Jennifer Dunn.

Estimate cost of the LDM Building Project is $800,000. Eastern Iowa Buildings of Cedar Rapids has been hired by the fair association to build the new building with John Bohlken as the general contractor. The ground breaking event is scheduled for Sunday, June 30^th at 12:30pm during the fair. To date the LDM Building Project has raised $341,365. There is still time to donate to the project, for more information on the project and how to donate go to http://thelinncountyfair.com/lynn-dunn.html

Special thanks to all the donors and the 4-Hers that help raise the funds for the project.  See below for the complete list of the donors that helped raise the $50,000 for the “Challenge Grant.”

Lynn Dunn Memorial Building Project

The Lynn Dunn Memorial Building Project is in honor of a man whose passion was The Linn County Fair. Lynn served as a board member for many years even holding many leadership positions within The Linn County Fair Association with great pride and diligence. He also served as director of the Association of Iowa Fairs Northeast District before his passing.

Lynn’s dream was to take The Linn County Fair to the next level, he helped bring this dream to life when bringing back the carnival, providing concerts, and more grandstand events. His next dream was to have a building on the Linn County Fairgrounds that was an “all year” building. It would include meeting rooms, kitchen and exhibition hall. Currently the fairgrounds have to shut down during the months of October-April. With this new facility the fairgrounds will be open all year long for 4-H meetings, board meetings, receptions, etc. For information on the project and how you can contribute please contact Deb Zumbach, Partnership Manger at 319-350-5297 or deb@thelinncountyfair.com.

The Linn County Fair in Central City from June 26th- July 1st,  2013
www.thelinncountyfair.com

Summary of Challenge Grant Donors
Date Donor Fundraising Area Amount
6/12/2012 Indian Creek 4-H Club 2×4 campaign 2012 $ 200.00
6/12/2012 Roy & Sharon Bowers 2×4 campaign 2012 $ 200.00
6/14/2012 Loyd & Lois Martin 2×4 campaign 2012 $ 200.00
6/19/2012 Jeff & Marcia Jordan 2×4 campaign 2012 $ 200.00
6/21/2012 Tim & Kathy Clemens 2×4 campaign 2012 $ 200.00
7/5/2012 LCF-Pop/Beer Tips general $ 30.00
7/5/2012 Teddy & Amy Steger general-l. auction $ 25.00
7/5/2012 Cruisen Conc./Deb & Dan Klouda 4th of July Vendor $ 150.00
7/5/2012 Ron & Bev Johnson general-l. auction $ 250.00
7/5/2012 Poultry Committee raffle $ 334.85
7/5/2012 Carrother Trucking general-l. auction $ 150.00
7/6/2012 Bud & Kris Blackford & Family Poultry Eggs & Cookie Basket $ 500.00
7/6/2012 Sloan Farms Poultry Eggs & Cookie Basket $ 500.00
7/6/2012 Balderson Farms Poultry Eggs & Cookie Basket $ 500.00
7/6/2012 Balster Family Trust Poultry Eggs & Cookie Basket $ 500.00
7/6/2012 Louie & Deb Zumbach Poultry Eggs & Cookie Basket $ 500.00
7/23/2012 Andrew & Ann Wooldridge general-mailed in $ 25.00
7/23/2012 Eric & Amber Cress general donation $ 100.00
8/17/2012 Allison Zumbach sheep market check 2012 $ 149.64
8/17/2012 Barbie & Jeremy Waltz 2012 Zumbach sheep $ 200.00
8/17/2012 Jean Dunn 2×4 campaign 2012 $ 200.00
8/17/2012 Titan Machinery 2012 M.Lefebure’s lamb $ 1,420.00
8/17/2012 Open Goat Show t-shirt sales proceeds $ 210.50
8/17/2012 Don & Shirle Henley work hours donated $ 3,440.00
8/21/2012 LCF-Bouncy House proceeds from ticket sales $ 13.00
8/21/2012 LCF-Church Service offering 2013 $ 129.30
9/4/2012 Steve & Karen Martin 2012 Zumbach sheep $ 3,000.00
9/4/2012 Brad & Laura Lewin general-challenge $ 200.00
9/4/2012 Jim & Jane Meisheid general-challenge $ 400.00
9/29/2012 LCF-golf cart tips/d.boxes general $ 630.16
10/23/2012 Carmin Chiafos cookbook-general $ 10.00
10/23/2012 Whittier Willing Workers general-challenge $ 250.00
11/20/2012 Loyd & Lois Martin Kickoff Gen. Donation 2013 $ 1,000.00
11/20/2012 Whittier Willing Workers cookbook-general $ 7.00
11/20/2012 Samantha Jackson Kickoff Gen. Donation 2013 $ 50.00
11/20/2012 Linn County Cattleman Assoc. Kickoff Gen. Donation 2013 $ 10,000.00
12/10/2012 John & Barb Burke general $ 20.00
12/15/2012 LCF-cookbook sale cookbook proceeds $ 2,500.00
12/15/2012 LCF-Kick Off 2013 Kickoff proceeds 2013 $ 10,000.00
12/15/2012 LCF-basket sale sale basket sale-transfer $ 2,696.31
12/17/2012 Dwayne Becker general donation $ 200.00
12/31/2012 CR Greater Foundation grant $ 15,000.00
Total Challenge Grant Funds $ 56,290.76

Lynn Dunn Memorial Building Project- The Legacy

With The Linn County Fair just weeks away there is much excitement in the air. Not only will the fair be celebrating our 125^th Anniversary, we will also be breaking ground during the fair for a new all-purpose building. This building has been a dream of many, including the person the building project has been named after, Lynn Dunn.

Lynn Dunn

As we prepare for the fair and the new building we want to give you a little history on who Lynn was and what The Linn County Fair meant to him. This year we will be “Celebrating our Past…Imagining our Future” with the help of the legacy that Lynn left behind.

Lynn Dunn was born on July 16, 1950 in Cedar Rapids to Eugene and Ruthann Dunn. He was the oldest of five children including, Lance, Linda, Louan, and Lisa. In his youth, Lynn, was part of the Linn County 4-H program as a member of the Prairie Union Wildcats.  He showed sheep and belonged to the leadership club. He always joked that he was “a social member,” as he loved being with people and participating in the activities.

August 18, 1973 Lynn married Jean E. Wild of Viola. They started their family with the birth of their first son Ryan on September 22, 1979. Their second son, Sean, came along a few years later. Lynn took pride in his family and his service in the Iowa Army National Guard.   In 1989 after 20 years of service in the Guard, Lynn traded in his army gear to become a 4-H parent, since Ryan had joined 4-H that year. His wife, Jean, remembers that he thought it was the perfect time to also get involved and help with the fair. A lot of his friends were active with the fair association. He had asked himself “why not get involved?” He could work with his friends, help kids learn while having fun, and have fun himself.

Lynn loved everything about the fair and hated seeing it end every year. Seeing kids grow into confident young adults was so rewarding for him. The enthusiasm and excitement of fair week energized him. Seeing families work together fair week always made him so happy.

Jean describes that as a family, fair week was just crazy but so rewarding. The boys (Ryan & Sean) showed beef, sheep, horses, and even swine & dairy few times. Their family was so involved in the fair that “their pickup & livestock trailer knew the way to the fairgrounds! “

Besides being on the fairboard Lynn became a 4-H leader of the Prairie Union Wildcats in 1990. This too, gave him an opportunity to watch youth grow and develop into responsible, young adults. He was also an active member of Faith Lutheran Church where he enjoyed singing in the choir.

Lynn had several visions for The Linn County Fair. One was to see the fair grow to be able to provide more learning opportunities and activities for the youth and residents of Linn County to enjoy. He would be overjoyed with all the events being offered at the fair today, which in turn has drawn more attendees every year. It was important to him that as the fair grows to always have the 4-H, FFA, and youth to remain an important focus of the fair. This goal is still a main focus of The Linn County Fair Association.

A second dream of Lynn’s was to have a building that could be utilized year round for activities. Lynn loved the fair industry in general. He always felt “fair people” were so warm and friendly. His involvement with the fair industry went beyond The Linn County Fair. He attended many of the regional, state and national fair conferences. He felt that networking at the conferences was always beneficial and informative. Much of what he learned, he brought back and made suggestions that was used to help shape the future of The Linn County Fair.  Lynn had so much passion for the fair industry and what it had to offer, that he was enrolled in the International Association of Fairs and Exhibitions Fair Management Institute at the time of this death.

Lynn passed away suddenly on March 12, 2008 while attending a Fair Managers conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Lynn’s love of the fair and fair industry became contagious and is one of the reasons the Dunn family donated the memorial money as seed money for the Lynn Dunn Memorial Building Project.  Lynn’s family includes his wife Jean Dunn of Marion; son Ryan and wife Krista, granddaughter Kaitlyn of Ankeny; son Sean and his wife Jennifer of Central City; his father Eugene and wife Irene of Solon;  and siblings Lance (Karen) Dunn, Linda (Wayne) Blackford, Louan (Jim) Handke, and Lisa Hoffman all of Marion.

Since the building project began, fundraising has been driven by personal donations, “Kick-Off” fair events, other events and several grants. The Linn County Fair Association continues to raise funds to cover the construction cost of the project. For more information on how to donate to the project please go to http://thelinncountyfair.com/lynn-dunn.html. Lynn would be excited about the building and appreciative of the community support for the project and the fair in general. “He is smiling down at us all.”

Renderings of the Lynn Dunn Memorial Building

The Linn County Fair in Central City from June 26th- July 1st,  2013
www.thelinncountyfair.com

“Dancin’ Thru the Decades” contest

Music and dancing has always been part of The Linn County Fair from the first fair with musical instrumental exhibits to the dancing pavilion in the 20’s to the start of the 4-H dances in the 60s, to this year as we commemorate our 125^th anniversary  with a special contest called the “Dancin’ Thru the Decades.”

Here are a few newspaper clips referencing dancing and music at The Linn County Fair:

• “H. C. Waits, Cedar Rapids, took first premium on all musical Instruments” as printed in the GAZETTE September 12, 1889.
• “These with a big, clean midway, several good shows, a big Ferris wheel, a $10,000 merry-go-round and dancing pavilion fill out a program that will make life one merry whirl while on the grounds.”- written in the Marion Weekly Sentinel August 28, 1924.
• Marion Sentinel September 3, 1925 article stated, “Remember that the outside gates are free each night admitting to live grounds which feature Wolf’s Greater Shows and midway attractions, including three sensational rides, seven Tent shows, and there will be dancing each evening at Wapsie Gardens. “

To help celebrate The Linn County Fair’s 125th Anniversary the Fair Association is putting on the “Dancing thru the Decades” Dance Off Competition. Participants will receive instructions on 10 different dance styles and have a chance to practice them before the competition begins. The dances include: the Charleston, the Hokey Pokey, the Chicken Dance, the Twist, YMCA, the Moonwalk, the Robot, the Macarena, the Cha Cha Slide, and Gangnam.

When the competition begins, contestants must perform the dance that corresponds with the music and as the music changes the dance style will change. Judges will “tap out” contests that aren’t performing correctly and the winner is the last person left dancing. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winner and two runners-up. All participants will be entered into a raffle for grandstand tickets, they will have a 1 in 4 chance of winning.

The contest will take place on Saturday, June 29^th in the Small Animal Building at the fairgrounds. Sign-up begins at 4:30pm, followed by the dance instructions at 5pm with the completion starting at 6pm. There are no age or residency restrictions, everyone is invited to participate. For more information and complete rules go to: http://thelinncountyfair.com/open-classes.html.

To get a sneak peak of what the dances will be the Linn County 4-H Youth Council has helped put together a video demonstrating the different dances. Check out the video on YouTube:

“Call Me Martha”Contest- Registration due June 15th

Show off your creative side by entering The Linn County Fair’s “Call Me Martha Competition”. Pit your skills against other crafty people by assembling a decorative item in 60 minutes using only the items supplied in a bag received at the beginning of the contest. Contestants must bring their own construction supplies. The Linn County Fair will supply the craft items to be used. Finished project will be judged on creativity, originality, neatness, and the number of items in the bag used. 

2012 Winner- Kathy Clemens, Marion

The contestants may be an individual or a team of two individuals. The contest is open to school age or older.  Any one under 13 years of age must work with an adult as a team. Registration is due by June 15th and is limited to 15 entries, first come, first serve basis. 

The contest will take place on Friday, June 28th at 6pm as part of the fair’s Community Day events. Prizes will be given for first, second and third place. The creations will be on display through the remainder of the fair.  Contestants may take their decorative item home at the end of the fair. For for details and registration form go to http://thelinncountyfair.com/2013/open-class-shows/open%20contest%20registration/2013-martha-registration.pdf.

Be sure to check out all the open competitions. There will be contests for all ages and interests throughout the 2013 fair. http://thelinncountyfair.com/open-classes.html.

 

The Linn County Fair in Central City from June 26th- July 1st,  2013
www.thelinncountyfair.com

 

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Tablescaping Contest Back at the fair- Registration extended to June 22nd

Tablescaping, the art of arranging tables to create a mood from ordinary to extraordinary, is returning to The Linn County Fair on Saturday, June 29 as one of the many contest at the fair. Contestants will use the 2’ x 4’ table provided for them and by adding their own plates, stemware, flatware, centerpiece, etc., create a decorative tablescape. The exhibit will be open to the public from noon until 6 pm.

2012 Tablescaping Winner

Contestants will pick their own theme and decorate the table accordingly, including a menu. Fresh flowers, unlit candles, and other table decorations are allowed, but no food or perishable items. The tablescapes will be judged on aesthetic value, functionality, and creativity. Preregistration is required and must be submitted by June 15. For complete rules and registration form, visit our website: http://thelinncountyfair.com/2013/open-class-shows/open%20contest%20registration/2013-tablescaping-registration.pdf.

Be sure check out the other one-day contests. http://thelinncountyfair.com/open-classes.html

Special thanks to Stove House Dinning in Central City for sponsoring this contest.