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Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Saline County Fair

The Saline County Fair occurs every July and is one of the biggest events in the county's tradition. The Marshall Democrat-News publishes preview stories, competition results as soon as they are available and numerous photo galleries that capture the people and happenings that make the fair what it is.

Fairground fundraiser will help update aging shower house (02/01/13)
After a successful start last year, organizers are gearing up again for Denim and Diamonds, a fundraising gala set for Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Saline County Fairground Multipurpose Building. Money from the fundraiser will again go toward renovation of the fairground bath and shower house.
Awards ceremony wraps up 2011 Saline County Fair (07/17/11)
A long-time volunteer for the Saline County Fair, as well as many of the 2011 4-H and FFA award winners were the focus of the annual Awards Ceremony held Sunday, July 17 at the fairground. Saline County 4-H specialist Amanda Structemeyer announced long-time Saline County Fair Association treasurer Kaye Wright will be inducted into the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame on August 14 at the Missouri State Fair...
Riders reign in Saline County Fair Horse Show (Updated Monday, July 18) (07/16/11)
Three classes of riders in nearly 20 categories competed Saturday morning, July 16, in the Saline County Fair Horse Show at the fairgrounds.
Rodeo rounds out fair entertainment (07/16/11)
After a week of livestock shows, where humans put animals through their paces, the tables were turned Saturday night, July 16, as the animals got to put the humans to the test. The Saline County Fair Rodeo put the finishing touch to the fair's entertainment features...
Chainsaw carver comes to 2011 Saline County Fair (07/15/11)
A chainsaw carver from Montgomery City set up his exhibit just behind the Cook Shack at the Saline County Fairground. Thus far he has carved a Native American chief, a cornstalk bench, a cross and a bear.
Ag supporters out-bid one another during livestock auction (07/15/11)
Auctioneers prattled through names and numbers like a riddle Friday evening, and the crowd came out to play. As dusk finally settled over Saline County Fairground, bids at the Livestock Sale heated up. The highest grossing bid came at $2,500 for Jaden Riley's Reserve Champion Steer. The steer was purchased by Central Missouri Agriculture, Mid-Missouri Family Health, Hank and Mary Evans, FCS Financial, ACME, and Deems among others...
Saline County Fair: Farm Mechanics results (07/15/11)
Results provided by Saline County Extension 4-H Office...
2011 Tractor Pull (07/15/11)
Blaine Holmes age 6 pulled 214 feet, further than anyone else had up to that point.
2011 Barnyard Olympics Results (07/15/11)
Montana Plattner scrunched her face in anticipation, threw her hands above her head and wrapped her fingers around the white egg. She caught it. Other contestants at the Barnyard Olympics weren't quite as lucky. After the egg toss, one boy's red shorts were splattered with a bright yellow yolk, and another boy had a shell hanging from his chin. The fair queens sat beneath a shaded tree and handed out paper towels to the egg-covered Olympians...
Cattle show wraps up Saline County Fair livestock shows (07/15/11)
A Saline County Fair Cattle Show, featuring Dairy and Beef cattle, as well as bottle calves, was held on July 15 at the fairground. The Breeding Heifer show kicked off the morning with six different breeds, but in the end a Chianina shown by Taylor Loges was named Supreme Grand Champion Heifer. The Reserve Champion Heifer was a Simmental shown by Jaden Riley...
Winners of the Poultry show announced (07/14/11)
Exhibitors of Saline County Fair Poultry Show stayed close to their demonstrations Thursday, July 14, at Saline County Fairground.
2011 Rabbit Show Results (07/14/11)
Young rabbit raisers gathered at the Saline County Fairground to exhibit their rabbits on Thursday morning. Judge Dave Rugen gave all the contestants blue ribbons for a job well done and named a champion in each category. Sarah Bentley earned the Best in Show Champion award for her Californian Junior Buck, and Brandon Vogel won Reserve Champion for his New Zealand Senior Doe...
Large crowd comes out for Saline County Fair Swine Show (07/14/11)
A large crowd gathered at the Saline County Fair on Thursday evening, July 14 to watch the annual 4-H and FFA Swine Show. The show, with five classes of breeding gilts and nine classes of market hogs, again had the most animals and exhibitors of any of the fair's livestock shows...
Saline County Fair: Ham judging results posted (07/14/11)
Results provided by Saline County Extension 4-H Office...
Cool morning greets Saline County Fair Sheep Show (07/14/11)
Exhibitors, animals and spectators at Saline County Fair Sheep Show enjoyed a cool morning on Thursday, July 14, at the Saline County Fairground. The Grand Champion Ewe was exhibited by Tyler Jenkins, with the Reserve Grand Champion Ewe shown by Vivian Buie...
Inaugural Saline County Fair Llama Showdown well attended (07/14/11)
The inaugural Saline County Fair Llama Showdown was held on Thursday, July 14, with three llamas entered. Llama Superintendent and showdown announcer Brent Niemeyer enlightened the crowd on hand at the Saline County Fairground with many llama facts. He said there are now 100,000 llamas in the United States and Canada. The "very clean" animals are odorless and actually pile their "dung" to help keep the barnyard clean. A mature llama can weigh up to 500 pounds...
County Fair exhibit results posted (07/13/11)
Results provided by Saline County Extension 4-H Office...
Saline County Fair: Smith-Jones wins Country Showdown (07/13/11)
Chanda Smith-Jones won the judges hearts with her stories of an Ozarks childhood and original songs rooted deeply in her country upbringing. Smith-Jones took first place Wednesday, July 13, in the Texaco Country Showdown at the Saline County Fairground Amphitheatre...
Saline County Fair Dog Show 2011 winners announced (07/13/11)
Dogs, parents and kids gathered at the Saline County Fairground to compete in showmanship, obedience, size and dog fashion on Wednesday morning. The winners in each category were announced immediately following the competition. Champion: Karrington Owen with Leddy...
Goat Show kicks off livestock portion of 2011 Saline County Fair (07/13/11)
With a new time slot and cooler weather, the Dairy and Meat Goat Show kicked off the 2011 Saline County Fair livestock shows on Wednesday evening, July 12. The Dairy Goat competition began the show, which had a large number of entries in both the dairy and meat divisions...
Saline County Fair: 4-H girls display skill, taste at Fashion Revue event Sunday (07/12/11)
Fashion revue results...
District FFA fair wraps up with three more livestock shows (07/12/11)
The Central District FFA Fair wrapped up a hot, but successful two-day event on July 12 at the Saline County Fairground. In all, approximately 60 schools, representing Areas 6, 7 and 8, participated in at least one event...
Area FFA members shine at Central District Fair (07/11/11)
Although flooded roads, meant a little longer travel time for some, FFA members, animals and exhibits representing over 60 schools came to the Saline County Fairground on Monday, July 11 for the annual Central District FFA Fair. During the day, hundreds of exhibits ranging from vegetables to barbecue grills were judged. FFA members also exhibited hogs, rabbits, poultry, sheep and horses during the day...
Wild west style shooting makes debut at Saline County Fair shooting sports event (Updated 10:20 a.m. July 11) (07/10/11)
Six 4-H shooters donned western wear and competed in the first Western Heritage Shooting event at the Saline County Fair Sunday, July 10. Nicole Gann, Danny Kiehl, Olivia Knox, Blayne Vogel, Brandon Vogel and Phillip Wattenbarger fired revolvers, rifles and double-barreled shotguns at metal targets and clay pigeons during the competition...
Marshall residents place in Demo Derby (Updated Monday, July 11) (07/09/11)
Cars were trashed and throttled during the Demolition Derby Saturday night, July 9.
2011 Public Speaking winners announced at Saline County Fair (07/09/11)
The Saline County Fair public speaking champions were announced Saturday evening. First place champions are as follows: Junior Speech: Vivian Buie Senior Speech: Blayne Vogel Public Service Announcement: Kade Plattner Pantomime: Montana Plattner Technology Assisted Speech: Sarah Bentley...
Fair exhibitors say farewell: Trio recalls good times growing up together, showing cattle (07/29/10)
When Breinne Clemens, Paul Dehn and Bill Gorrell are asked for their favorite memories from each showing over 13 years at the Saline County Fair, it's not the actual shows they recall. Instead it is the games like the Barnyard Olympics: "I remember me and Paul chugging that Mountain Dew down," said Clemens, recalling sucking on a calf bottle, racing to see who can finish in the fastest time...
Fair exhibitors say farewell: Emma Montgomery: Showing follows family tradition (07/28/10)
Emma Montgomery gave a speech on Friday, July 16, right before she sold an item for the final and 13th time at the Saline County Fair Junior Livestock Sale. This time her lamb sold for a premium of more than $3,000 to a long list of area businesses...
Fair exhibitors say farewell: Goat specialist Derek Eddy ends county fair career in adviser role (07/27/10)
Derek Eddy, of Slater, was eligible to show one last year as a junior exhibitor at the Saline County and Missouri State fairs, however he decided not to show in 2010. "I just decided to help everybody else this year to kind of pay back everybody that have helped me," he said...
Fair exhibitors say farewell: Kim Deutsch ends successful career as Saline County Fair 4-H exhibitor (07/26/10)
Kim Deutsch has several championships under her belt as a rabbit exhibitor, including the Missouri State Fair Reserve Grand Champion Meat Pen three years ago, which she sold in the state Sale of Champions. However, when asked about her favorite memories of showing at the Saline County and state fairs, it's not the championships she mentions...
At the Saline County Fair: Loges shows Supreme Champion Market Hog (07/20/10)
The biggest livestock show of the week took place Thursday evening, July 15, when over 100 hogs were exhibited at the 2010 Saline County Fair Hog Show. The Supreme Champion Market Hog was exhibited by Taylor Loges, while the Reserve Champion Market Hog was shown by Hannah Viets...
Fair concludes with awards ceremony Sunday (07/19/10)
Despite the extremely hot weather, numbers were up from last year at the 2010 Saline County Fair, which wrapped up with the annual awards ceremony held Sunday afternoon, July 18. "I think for the most part we had a wonderful fair," Sam Igo, Saline County Fair Association Board president said to begin the ceremony. "We appreciate everyone's participation and we appreciate your help no matter what it was."...
2010 4-H Hog Show results (07/19/10)
2010 4-H Rabbit Show results (07/16/10)
2010 4-H Dog Show results (07/16/10)
2010 4-H Goat Show special awards (07/16/10)
2010 4-H Poultry Show results (07/16/10)
At the Saline County Fair: Rabbit Judging final results (07/16/10)
Pen 3 Meat Rabbits Senior Buck Class Senior Doe Class Intermediate Buck Class Intermediate Doe Class Junior Buck Class Junior Doe Class Normal Colored Fur Normal White Fur Rex Colored Fur Rex White Fur Wool Fur Senior Showmanship Junior Showmanship Novice Showmanship...
At the Saline County Fair: Jenkins, Boland take top honors at Sheep Show (07/16/10)
Despite the heat, the 2010 Saline County Sheep Show had a large number of entries and spectators Thursday morning, July 15. The Grand Champion Market Lamb was exhibited by Jade Jenkins of Marshall, while the Reserve Champion Market Lamb was shown by Brent Boland of Sweet Springs...
At the Saline County Fair: Keeping cool at the fair (07/16/10)
A group of youngsters staying at the Saline County Fairground found a way to beat the heat on Wednesday, July 14, by improvising a slip and slide. Tyler Jenkins wets down the slide, while Abigail Hopkins takes a slide on her knees. In front of her is Adrienne Hopkins. Also pictured are Megan Plattner (with swim ring), Ethan Sims (far left), Hunter Sims, Simeon Buie, Mikey Hilton and Aiden Hilton...
2010 4-H Goat Show results (07/15/10)
2010 4-H Goat Show results from the Saline County Fair.
2010 4-H Sheep Show results (07/15/10)
Results of the 2010 4-H Sheep Show at the Saline County Fair.
At the Saline County Fair: Performers compete for showdown title (07/14/10)
People congregated on the lawn, stretched out on tailgates and sat in bleachers as the anticipation for the 2010 Colgate Country Showdown began to build. Wednesday, July 14, ten competitors from across the state performed for a cheering crowd. Performers from Marshall, Slater and Sweet Springs were among the talent...
2010 4-H Demonstration Project results, part 1 (07/14/10)
At the FFA District Fair: Participation up at FFA fair | Loges, Sweet Springs FFA take top honors in Cattle Show (07/14/10)
Almost 2,300 exhibits from approximately 60 schools were displayed during the Central District FFA Fair, which wrapped up on Tuesday, July 13, at the Saline County Fairground. "This is the biggest fair we've had since I've been involved," said Lee Crabtree, ag adviser for Crest Ridge FFA and chairman of the Central District Fair...
At the FFA District Fair: Sweet Springs sweeps Hog Show (07/13/10)
The Sweet Springs FFA chapter made it a clean sweep at the Central District FFA Fair Hog Show held Monday, July 13, by winning in all the main categories, including showmanship, high point individual and chapter sweepstakes. The Grand Champion Market Hog was shown by Taylor Loges, who will be a senior at Sweet Springs High School in the fall...
At the FFA District Fair: Jenkins takes top honors in Sheep Show (07/13/10)
Marshall FFA member Jade Jenkins took many of the top honors at the Central District FFA Fair Sheep Show held on Monday, July 12, at the Saline County Fairground. Jenkins showed the Grand Champion Market Lamb, Grand Champion Ewe and Grand Champion Buck at the show Monday afternoon. Sweet Springs FFA member Brent Boland had the Reserve Champion Market Lamb, while the Reserve Champion Ewe was shown by Lynn Murry Jr. of Odessa FFA. He also showed the Champion Tunis Ram...
2010 4-H Shooting Sports results (07/12/10)
Results compiled and provided by Saline County Extension services.
Saline County Fair series: It's not just for the fair: Fairground serves as venue for community events year-round (09/10/09)
Saline County Fairground is one of the first things people see traveling north on U.S. Highway 65 on their way into Marshall.
Saline County Fair series: Fairground upkeep a never-ending process (09/08/09)
On Saturday, Sept. 12, at 4 p.m., the Saline County Fair Association will be auctioning off chain saw carvings created during the annual Saline County Fair. The annual auction will take place at Indian Foothills Park during Santa Fe Trail Days.
At the fair: 2009 Saline County Fair Rodeo (07/27/09)
Recollections: Saline County fairs through the years: A horse of another color (07/24/09)
If you are in Marshall in July, you surely know there is a county fair going on. The paper and airways are steadily announcing events involving youth, their prize winning animals, home-cured hams and practical skills. The Saline County Fair takes place just south of town, on 65 highway and is definitely a wholesome youth-oriented event. However, the Saline County Fair was not always that type of event...
Shepherd's Heart: Sounds of the fair (07/24/09)
We spent a little extra time at the Saline County Fairgrounds last week. During my tenure as a newspaper reporter, I had spent many days and evenings there reporting on the young people involved in 4-H and FFA and their various projects. But it had been a while since I was there on an almost daily basis. When our son decided to raise a couple of Boer goats to show at the fair, that all changed...
At the fair: Odd 'fair weather' but otherwise event considered a success by officials (07/24/09)
The definition of "fair weather" in these parts is more specific than what meteorologists mean by the term. Here, it means hot, humid days -- "blistering hot" according to one longtime fair-goer -- muggy nights, and usually a thunderstorm or two just to keep campers at the fairground on their toes...
At the fair: Award ceremony wraps up youth competitions at county fair (07/23/09)
In all, Saline County youth collected 1,205 blue, 308 red and 51 white ribbons during the 2009 edition of the Saline County Fair. During the annual awards ceremony held Sunday, July 19, at the Saline County Fairgrounds, fair board treasurer Kaye Wright announced that $4,153 in point money was paid out to a total of 231 exhibitors...
At the fair: After weather delay, riders compete in horse show (07/22/09)
Saline County 4-H club and FFA chapter members rode their horses in a variety of events at the Saline County Fair Horse Show Saturday morning, July 11, including bareback, western, costume, barrels, and even an egg-and-spoon event. The entrant in the beginner class who received the greatest number of points was Olivia Loges. In the intermediate class, it was Jessie Gorrell, and in the advanced class, Taylor Loges received the greatest number of points...
At the fair: Hinnah hopes to keep fair tradition alive (07/21/09)
Showing pigs has been a family tradition for Whitney Hinnah, daughter of Eugene and Vickie Hinnah of rural Gilliam. "It's always been in our family," she said. "My dad used to show a long time ago at the state fair, so we kind of took on the tradition."...
At the fair: Canines get a chance to show their stuff (07/21/09)
A hot dog, a hula dancer, a fairy, a cat burglar and many more special characters were present at the Saline County Fair 4-H Dog Show held Friday, July 17. In the most entertaining part of that event, dogs and their masters were judged on their various, creative costumes...
At the fair: Thornton moves on, will miss showing at county fair (07/21/09)
Meredith Thornton, daughter of Stanley and Wanda Thornton of rural Sweet Springs, started showing hogs at the Saline County Fair in high school. Her older brother, Blaine, who had shown for a few years when he was younger, got interested again after high school, and she and her younger sister joined him...
At the fair: Loges shows grand champion market steer (07/20/09)
A total of 28 entrants took part in the Saline County Fair Cattle Show, which was held Friday, July 17, at the Saline County Fairground. Two Sweet Springs FFA members won the top market steer honors: Taylor Loges, who showed the grand champion market steer, and Spencer Thomas, who showed the reserve champion market steer...
At the fair: Viets shows grand champion market hog at popular hog show (07/20/09)
With the largest number of participants out of all the livestock shows, the Saline County Fair Hog Show lasted past 11 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, at the Saline County Fairground. After sorting through the six classes of gilts and 11 classes of market hogs, judge Jon DeClerk chose the hog shown by Kati Viets of Sweet Springs to win grand champion market hog honors...
At the fair: County youth earn payoff for hard work at Junior Livestock Sale (07/18/09)
The first twelve sellers at the Saline County Fair Junior Livestock Sale Friday, July 17, earned $8,325 for their grand and reserve grand champion animals and hams. The grand total sales for the event was $56,325, according to results released by Saline County Extension.
At the fair: Eddy takes first place in senior division poultry showmanship (UPDATE 5:05 p.m. show results) (07/17/09)
A group of youth poultry producers followed judge Jake Montemayor of Lincoln around the poultry pens at the Saline County Fairground Thursday, July 16, as he judged their chickens, ducks, peafowl and a turkey. Montemayor took each bird -- except the turkey and peafowl -- out of its cage and pointed out its flaws to the FFA member who raised it before assigning a ribbon to be awarded, which Poultry Supervisor Jerry Snapp then attached to each cage...
At the fair: Jenkins siblings earn top honors in Sheep Show (UPDATED 4:35 p.m., sheep and goat show results) (07/17/09)
The Saline County Fair Sheep Show, followed by the Saline County Goat Show, kicked off the 4-H and FFA member livestock competitions on Thursday morning, July 16, at the Saline County Fairground. At the sheep show, the grand champion market lamb was shown by Tyler Jenkins, while his sister, Jade, showed the reserve champion market lamb...
At the fair: Deutsch, Vogels take top spots in Rabbit Show (UPDATED 4:50 p.m. show results) (07/17/09)
Kimberly Deutsch and Brandon and Blayne Vogel were the big winners at the Rabbit Show at the Saline County Fair Thursday, July 16. Deutsch showed grand champion rabbits in meat pen, intermediate doe, junior buck, normal fur and mini Rex white fur categories...
At the fair: 50 hams lost in smokehouse fire but 4-H members take it in stride (07/16/09)
For over ten years, Phil Vogel, a Saline County 4-H parent and volunteer has been helping 4-H members by smoking their country cured hams in a smoke house on his parent's farm near Marshall. However this year, for a reason still unknown, instead of smoking the hams, the smokehouse was burned to the ground along with approximately 50 hams belonging to members of Vogel's club, as well as Lucky Leaf, Union and Work-to-Win clubs...
At the fair: Tyre wraps up long, successful hog showing career tonight (07/16/09)
On Friday, July 17, when Katie Tyre, a Slater FFA member, sells her hog at the Saline County Junior Livestock Sale, she will be closing one chapter of her life and opening a new one. Tyre, daughter of Jim and Kathy Tyre of rural Marshall, has been showing pigs at the Saline County Fair for 14 years. Her last show will be Thursday, July 16, at the Saline County Fair Hog Show, where she will show her two gilts, "Barbie" and "Midge."...
At the fair: Hams (07/16/09)
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Newscope: County fair horse show rescheduled for Saturday (07/16/09)
The Saline County Fair Horse Show has been rescheduled for Saturday, July 18, at 8:30 a.m., weather permitting, according to event coordinator Carolyn Taylor. The show originally scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed because of muddy arena conditions...
Saline County Fair schedule (07/15/09)
At the fair: Harrisburg man wins Colgate Country Showdown (UPDATE 10:00 a.m.) (07/15/09)
After performing two of his own compositions, Sterling Sublet of Harrisburg won first prize at the 2009 Colgate Country Showdown held Wednesday evening, July 15, at Saline County Fairground. Sublet sang "Bend Until I Break" and "Growing Pains" and accompanied himself on guitar...
At the fair: Exhibits (07/15/09)
Exhibits of demonstration projects by 4-H club members are on display in the Multipurpose Building at the Saline County Fairground.
At the fair: Thomas takes top market steer honors at FFA District Fair (07/15/09)
No doubt Spencer Thomas, who will be a freshman this fall at Sweet Springs High School, will remember the first year he was eligible to show livestock at Central District FFA fair. At the cattle show Tuesday, July 14, Thomas showed the 1,298-pound grand champion market steer, following his win at the hog show Monday, July 13...
At the fair: 4-H girls display fashion prowess at Sunday revue (07/14/09)
The Saline County 4-H Fashion Revue on Sunday, July 13, displayed clothes for every season -- from winter scarves and hats to summer pool gear. Prizes were awarded in four categories: crochet, knitting, clothes you purchase and clothes you make. A special category called "I'm Walking in Sunshine," which did not offer ribbons and trophies, gave participants a chance to model their stylish shades...
At the fair: Sweet Springs FFA wins Chapter Sweepstakes for third straight year (07/14/09)
Several area FFA members did well during livestock shows held on the first day of the Central District FFA fair, which took place at Saline County Fairground on Monday, July 13. The hog, rabbit, poultry, goat and sheep shows all took place on Monday morning. The horse show was cancelled because of muddy conditions in the show arena...
At the fair: Drivers duel during demo derby Saturday (07/13/09)
The smell of oil was strong in the air at the Saline County Fairground during the Dual Demolition Derby Saturday evening, July 11. In the first heat, Mexico's Frank Johns Jr., who drove a 1988 Ford, and Mexico driver/passenger team T.J. Johns and Kayla Johns, in a 1980 Crown Victoria, tied for first place, respectively. In second place came Roy Helm of Marshall in a 1982 Chevrolet Caprice...
At the fair: Pedal tractor pull event provides drama (07/12/09)
The annual pedal-tractor pull for kids is generally fun for participants and audience alike, but this year the event also provided some drama when the three contestants in the 75-pounds and up class tied for first place. Cole Igo, Jacob Dierking and Brant Sims each pulled the sled the maximum distance, forcing the event into extra innings...
At the fair: Shooting sports results (UPDATE 5:15 p.m.) (07/13/09)
Archers and marksmen lined up under overcast skies early Sunday, July 12, for 4-H shooting sports competition, the first competitive event of the 2009 Saline County Fair. The cool, cloudy weather was an improvement over last year's scorching heat, according to one event coordinator, although rain threatened near 10 a.m...