I finally made it to the fair Friday to check out my entries. Check out first place in the not-so-competitive “Blouse” category: 
And check out fourth place in the much more competitive “Cable Sweater” category: 
I was a little bummed about fourth (and about the fact that they had put my sweater on a hanger and stretched it all out of shape), but then I saw third place, which was exponentially more elaborate than mine and only got third: 
This year I looked at exhibits in the 4-H building and the Creative Arts building, which I usually skip, an it was really heartening to see all the nice work from the young kids in 4-H. And we can all heed the advice of this sign:
I know being a “cool” person and liking the state fair is supposed to be ironic, but I think the fair is great. You think farming is disappearing or becoming totally industrialized, and then you see the eight-year-olds showing sheep or the lucky, lucky teenage girls* riding their horses and you realize that it’s closer than you think.
Maybe that’s why I like the fair: If I win a ribbon for sewing, I can imagine that someday I might win a ribbon for an egg from my chickens, or even be one of the people who drive in from their ranch and show their animals. Someday, I guess. Until then, I can enter things in the fair.
*Teenage girls, I hope you realize how lucky you are to have your horses. Some people are still longing for one at thirty. I’m just saying.
4th on ORLY owls? I’m not ok with that. But that probably just shows how competitive and AWESOME you/we are. It’s still a placed ribbon. And as a former champion in home arts, I can say the Utah State Fair is much harder than the Salt Lake County Fair. So congrats are still in order!
You would think they would no better than to put a sweater on a hanger. Congrats on all the ribbons!