Voted “Best of Fair” in the Open Class at the Cook County Fair were (L-R) Adam Dettman, potatoes and vegetables; Liz Rosenquist, yarn work; Jim Ringquist, photography; Lindsay Berglund, baking; Del Rosenquist, canning; Fern Lovaas, quilting; Dorothy Edge, painting. (Not pictured: Stanley Smith, flowers; Tom Hoy, crafts)
Last weekend, August 19 and 20, 2011, the Cook County Community Center’s curling arena was transformed—filled with tables full of colorful displays of artwork, vegetables, flowers, crafts, needlework and baked goods. Beauty and hard work and high skills under one roof. Once again it was the handiwork of the Cook County Fair Committee and all of the people who entered their goods and wares in the fair.
Exhibits were down this year from 2010. Well, not by much. Last year 100 exhibitors entered a total of 615 entries. This year 99 exhibitors—36 kids and 63 adults—entered 527 exhibits.
School entries totaled 180 exhibits and paid out $375. There were 347 adult exhibits, which paid out $755. A total of $1,130 was distributed to the ribbon winners.
No shudders of surprise here, Vi Rindahl of Grand Marais again led the way with 58 entries. Last year Vi had 57 entries, beating the combined total of the second and third place exhibitors.
Vi Rindahl (left) and Eleanor Waha are two fixtures at the Cook County Fair who have put in countless hours over many decades and have been instrumental in keeping the annual tradition alive.
Vegetables were the number one entry, with 104 exhibits. Next was Needlework, 62, Arts & Crafts, 54, Canning 42, Baking, 37, Fruit, 5, and Eggs, 4.
| Vegetables (kohlrabi) | Adam Dettman |
| Potatoes (purple potatoes) | Adam Dettman |
| Flowers (orchid) | Stanley Smith |
| Baking (blueberry/apple pie) | Lindsay Berglund |
| Canning (wine) | Del Rosenquist |
| Photography (river scene) | Jim Ringquist |
| Artwork (portrait of dog and | child) Dorothy Edge |
| Crafts (set of 3 figurines) | Tom Hoy |
| Yarn Work (knit sweater) | Liz Rosenquist |
| Quilting (colorful quilt) | Fern Lovaas |
A fair exhibitor shows a fairgoer her wool, dyed in many vibrant colors.
The inflatable obstacle course was a winner with the kids at the fair. During the last half hour, owner Bob Doucette let the kids run through as many times as they wanted for free—and did they ever go fast.
The bouncy house outside the Community Center was a big attraction for the younger set at the county fair.
Artist Don Hammer demonstrated his craft of traditional blacksmithing blended with artistry.
A petting zoo was another favorite attraction at the fair, with goats and dogs and chicks to pet and hold.
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