The Wright County Fair wrapped up for another year Sunday, with many local residents coming home with ribbons and bragging rights.
Tom Plaggerman and his son, Shawn, ran cars in the demolition derby in the front wheel drive mid-size heats. Friday night Tom Plaggerman’s car quit running early on, however Shawn Plaggerman finished fifth out of the 20 cars participating.
“It was Shawn’s first derby,” said Tom Plaggerman. “I was proud of how well he did and he was pretty pumped about it.”
Shawn Plaggerman’s car was out of the running for Sunday’s derby, but Tom Plaggerman had his back in commission and finished in first place out of 22 participants.
Brothers Zach and Brandon Sonsteby ran in the derby in the full-size heats.
Friday night Zach Sonsteby placed fourth in the consolation round, and Sunday’s derby found both Sonsteby brothers winning their heats, although neither placed in the feature.
Father Dennis Backer entered five of his homemade jams in the canned and preserved foods category, winning ribbons with each. His peach and blueberry jams received first, his apple pie and strawberry rhubarb second, and his wild raspberry received a merit.
Regina Coehn received third place with her antique trivet she entered in the collectibles division. Her sister, Mabel Rousselange, won second place on both her hardanger embroidery pieces, and third place on her photo album.
Over in the 4-H arena, the Kicking Clovers club was also bringing home ribbons in various categories.
Kallee Fisher and her dog, Jazzy, were awarded two grand champions and a reserve champion. She and Devin Riley also placed first in four-dog team.
Jordan Gohman and her horse received a fourth, a fifth and a sixth.
Alison Hulbert received reserve high point with her horse, Cinch. Her sister, Kaylie Hulbert, won an overall high point, a reserve champion, two firsts and a second with her horse, Marley. With her horse Lacey, she was awarded a champion, a second and an overall top 10.
Jade O’Riley received a reserve championship with her horse, Sugar, which she was very pleased with, as it was the first show Sugar had ever participated in.
With his dog, Zeus, Devon Riley won four grand champions and a reserve champion. He and his dog Faith received a red and a third.
Kallie Sylvester received a grand champion, four first blues, a fourth blue, and an overall high point.
The Northern Peak 4-H club also had a successful run at the fair.
Audrey O’Konek won grand champion in citizenship with her Massachusetts float, blue with her strawberry jam, blue with her fairy and red with her homemade wooden wagon.
Kiley O’Konek was awarded grand champion in the exploring animals division, grand champion in the horseless horse division, blue with her birdhouse gourd, and blue in the home environment division. She also received a blue and a red in photography.
Cameron Wagner participated in vegetable gardening, where he received blue for his cabbage, carrots and string beans.
Isaac Wagner was awarded grand champion for his Red Stars chickens, blue with his Rose Comb Leghorns, reserve grand champion for his homemade sauerkraut, and blue in vegetable gardening, where he showed cabbage, string beans, onions, beets, carrots and cucumbers. Wagner won a trip to the State Fair with his grand champion awards.
Josie Wagner was awarded grand champion in interpretive reading, blue with her homemade pencil holder, and blue with her blueberry muffins.
Elijah and Zack O’Konek are in 4-H Clover Buds. Elijah O’Konek showed his handmade snowplow and birdhouse gourd, and Zack O’Konek showed the pull tractor he welded.
It was members Nick Olson and Quinton McNeal’s first year in 4-H, so instead of competing they watched the proceedings and worked the 4-H food stand.
Many of the Northern Peak parents grew up with 4-H themselves, including Karen O’Konek, who was a member of the same club while growing up.
“As a club we all help each other and learn from each other,” said parent Theresa Wagner. “4-H is a great way for kids to learn and try new things.”
