NEW CASTLE —
Was it the switch? The unusually hot summer? Was there confusion? Don’t people like chocolate anymore?
Something caused entries in two specialty contests at the Lawrence County Fair to drop off significantly this year.
According to Lori Hites, the fair’s home economics director, there are usually about a dozen entries in the chocolate cake contest and about the same number in the chocolate cookie competition.
This year, only four cakes were entered. In the cookie contest — for ages 8 to 18 — there were none.
“I just think people were confused,” Hites said of the disappointing turnout.
She explained the two contests have been sponsored by Hershey for years, with the entries required to contain some Hershey’s cocoa.
This year, Hershey did not participate. Instead, the state’s department of agriculture and association of county fairs were joined by the PA Preferred program to sponsor the contest.
The rules stated: As many PA Preferred products as possible should be used and listed as “PA Preferred” in the recipe.
Hites said the fair’s officials are going to try to do a better job explaining that rule in 2013.
“We will simplify it to try to get the number of entries back up.”
Hites also plans to bring back another popular baking contest that was missing this year.
The state organizations selected an angel food cake contest and it replaced what had been dubbed the fair’s “special baking contest.”
Hites, her husband and their two sons have sponsored that contest for several years in memory of her mother, Virginia Worrell.
Worrell, who died in 2008, “loved the fair,” Hites said.
She not only participated as a judge, but sponsored the baking contest for eight or 10 years, according to Hites.
“We wanted to keep it going.”
A home economics teacher at Laurel, Hites had selected a recipe each year and all contestants used it for their entry.
She explained she wanted something that isn’t too complicated or involved and uses ingredients “people would have in their kitchens.”
Among the previous recipes were a blueberry lemon loaf and cinnamon bread.
Next year’s will be similar, Hites promised.
“I’m going to pick it personally.”
Lawrence County Fair
Confusion cuts chocolate contestants
- Lawrence County Fair
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One Last Look: Photo galleries, video and stories from the Lawrence County Fair
It was a week to remember. Plenty of food, fun and excitement took place at the Lawrence County Fair. Relive all the memories one more time.
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Photo Gallery, Story: Livestock auction caps county fair
Cooler weather, blue skies and support of the agriculture industry were among reasons meat-buyers went to the fair early Saturday. But most went to put their money behind the hard-working youths who had spent the year raising animals for this big week.
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Honors presented as fair ends
Every year, at least two youths stand out from the crowd at the Lawrence County Fair. That is especially true when it comes to dedication and involvement in 4-H and livestock. This year, Jocelyn Kelly of Wampum and Jenny Ratvasky of Volant were considered as among those by their peers and 4-H and FFA leaders.
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Photo Gallery, Story: Grand champion animals selected
The top-showing animals at the Lawrence County Fair and the youths who raised them were honored with banners and ribbons. Buyers at the Lawrence County Junior Livestock Sale Saturday paid for those winners as a way to support local 4-H and FFA youths and their endeavors.
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Wool fashions highlighted in sheep show
The beautiful possibilities of wool were on display Friday night at the Lawrence County Fair. About 200 people attended the annual Lead Line fashion show in the livestock arena, where children ages four to 18 and some adults modeled handmade woolen clothing in glorious variety.
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Photo Gallery, Story: Olympics help farm families pass time at fair
Even the county fair can get boring for farm kids who stay on the grounds all week. For them — and other interested youngsters — the “Farm Olympics” were born to add some fun with farm-themed contests.
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Lambs draw former resident baaaaack to area
For Joel Mariacher Jr., the Lawrence County Fair means coming home. The former Wampum/New Beaver-area resident flew in Tuesday morning to coordinate lamb showmanship. “It is a homecoming for me,” he said.
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Video, Photo Gallery: Cows, calves in fair’s spotlight
You wouldn’t expect to see a calf dressed as a soldier or a superhero. But calves in all sorts of get-ups — as well as costumed toddlers and children and young women in high heels — traipsed through the sawdust in the livestock show arena at the Lawrence County Fair last night to promote dairy products.
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Photo Gallery: Sam Luptak Jr.'s images from Wednesday at the fair
Plenty of food and fun prevailed Wednesday as the Lawrence County Fair continued with its 2012 edition. But don’t forget about all the cool rides! News correspondent Sam Luptak Jr. was on hand to capture a gallery of images.
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Photo Gallery: Tiffany Wolfe's images from Wednesday at the Lawrence County Fair
Plenty of food and fun prevailed Wednesday as the Lawrence County Fair continued with its 2012 edition. News correspondent Tiffany Wolfe was on hand to capture a gallery of images.
- More Lawrence County Fair Headlines
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