The Pottawatomie County Free Fair was held Sept. 4-7 and concluded with an awards assembly to recognize winners in various competitions.
This year’s Free Fair saw increases in both entries and exhibitors. In 2023, there were 1,670 entries, and that number grew by 128 entries for a total of 1,798 this year. In 2024, there were 336 exhibitors, while there were 387 this year, 51 more over last year.
The Pottawatomie County Free Fair board members are Randy Gilbert, Chairman; Matt Griffith, Vice-Chairman; Gina Rounsaville, Treasurer; Tim Underwood, Secretary; Cindy Humphrey – Co Secretary; and members Gary Barnett, Lynn Marlow, Trent Boles Rex Anderson and Cindy Humphrey.
The following awards list was provided by the Pottawatomie County Free Fair.
BAKING AWARDS
BEST OF WHEAT BAKING CONTEST
Senior Division: Champion: Kerri Foster
Bread Machine Champion: Tawana Holland
Junior Division: Champion: Carson Matlock
Bread Machine Champion: Carson Matlock
SHAWNEE MILLING AWARD FOR BISCUITS
Junior Division: 1st Place: Legend Baker; 2nd Place: Finley Wood; 3rd Place: Taycie Baker
CANNING AWARDS
ADULTS: Fruit: Grand – Fran Topping
Vegetable: Grand – Laura Hairell; Res – Rita Goodson
Pickled Food: Grand – Gloria Crosby; Res – Taylor Marlow (youth judged up)
Soft Spread Grand: Kerri Foster; Res: Jennifer Duncan
JUNIOR: Fruit Grand: Piper Marlow – Bethel 4H; Res: Corbin Marlow – Bethel 4H
Vegetable Grand: America Sandifer, Pioneer 4-H
Pickled Food Grand: Taycie Baker Bethel 4H; Res: Taylor Marlow Bethel FFA
Soft Spread Grand: Piper Marlow Bethel 4H
***
BEST OF SHOW AWARDS
BEST OF SHOW OUTSTANDING HOUSEHOLD ARTICLE: Carla Seikel
BEST OF SHOW OUTSTANDING ADULT CLOTHING ARTICLE: Carla Seikel
BEST OF SHOW OUTSTANDING JUNIOR CLOTHING ARTICLE: Naomi Waterman
BEST OF SHOW OUTSTANDING ADULT ARTS & CRAFTS: Kim Catchings
BEST OF SHOW OUTSTANDING JUNIOR ARTS & CRAFTS: Trinity Wehrli
BEST OF SHOW OUTSTANDING ADULT PHOTOGRAPH: Linda Brown
BEST OF SHOW OUTSTANDING JUNIOR PHOTOGRAPH: Sydney Smolka
The Gladys Kinnamon Outstanding Adult Baked Good Award: Gloria Crosby
BEST OF SHOW OUTSTANDING BAKED GOODS JUNIOR DIVISION: Addison McDaniell
Gloria Stasyszen WOOLEN ARTICLE AWARD: Leslye Owen
***
AGRONOMY
PLANT SCIENCE Hi-Pt Award: Taylor Marlow – Bethel FFA
***
4-H AND FFA AWARDS
FFA EDUCATIONAL BOOTH NON-MECHANICAL: McLoud FFA
OUTSTANDING FFA SHOP LARGE EXHIBITS, Dale FFA
OUTSTANDING FFA SHOP SMALL EXHIBITS: Blake Dandy Tecumseh FFA
HIGH POINT 4-H EXHIBITOR BUCKLE: Jessilynn Kuchenkia, Bethel
4H HIGH POINT FFA EXHIBITOR BUCKLE: Katie Haysmer, Dale FFA
THE ANN GILBERT MEMORIAL AWARD PLAQUE: Gus Goodson, North Rock Creek FFA
***
COMMERCIAL BOOTH AWARDS
* 1st place: 3D Ex
* OHCE VIEWERS CHOICE: Winner: Movers and Shakers
***
TRACTOR OPERATORS CONTEST
4th place: Logan Matlock North Rock Creek FFA
3rd place: Cooper Bright North Rock Creek FFA
2nd place: Jake Dickson Bethel FFA
1st place: Riley Utter Tecumseh FFA
***
FARM HAND OLYMPICS
Champion of the Dummy Steer Roping Event: Stephen Wickerd, NRC FFA
Champion of the Horse Shoe Toss: Marlee Reece, NRC FFA
Champion of the Sunflower Seed Spitting Event: Nathaniel Baris, Shawnee FFA
Champion of the Corn Javelin Throw Event: Dallas Hargrave, Bethel FFA
TEAM WINNERS:
3rd place:, Farm Bureau Hat & $20 Premium each Team Members: Bethel FFA #3 625 points Rianne Tinsley, Julian Chavez, Dallas Hargrave, Kaeden Padilla
2nd place:, Farm Bureau Hat & $30 Premium each Team Members: McLoud FFA 645 points Kinley Cole, Jonathan Brown, Gracie Little, Hailey Gomez
1st place: , Farm Bureau Hat & $50 Premium each Team members: North Rock Creek FFA 665 points Stephen Wickerd, Gibson French, Logan Matlock, Marlee Reese
***
POULTRY AND PIGEONS
Gr. Champ. Overall Male Chicken: Megan Alls Tecumseh 4H
Gr. Champ. Overall Female Chicken: Rowdy Nadeau
Grand Champion Pigeon: Charli Scott
Grand Champion Rabbit: Randy James
Grand Champion Waterfowl: Roper Nadeau
The Kay Jenks Memorial Superintendent’s Award: Kianoa Lincoln – Tecumseh 4-H
Gold Belt Buckle High Point Award: Colleen Williams Dale FFA
***
4-H & FFA Horse Show
SHOWMANSHIP BUCKLES:
3-5th grade: Riahtta Neiman – Tecumseh 4H
6-8th grade: Keelie Utter – Tecumseh 4H
9th-12th grade: Teagan Langhof
GRAND CHAMPION MARE: Josey Milburn – Asher FFA
RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION MARE: Taycie Baker – Bethel 4H
GRAND CHAMPION GELDING: Pharra Neiman – Tecumseh 4H
RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION GELDING: Piper Marlow Bethel 4H
Gold Belt Buckle High Point Award: Keelie Utter – Buckle
POTT. COUNTY BARREL RACE WINNERS
Open Division: Rianne Tinsley – Bethel FFA
Youth: Rianne Tinsley – Bethel FFA
***
MEAT GOAT AWARDS
Open Doe Meat Goat: Liam Tooley Asher
Open Jr Dairy Doe: Lane Nagy Tecumseh
Open Sr Dairy Doe: Megan Alls Tecumseh 4H
DIVISION CHAMPIONS:
Division 1: Madalyn Taron Bethel FFA
Division 2: Carter Sisco Asher 4H
Division 3: Callie Carrera Shawnee 4H
Division 4: Jett Tooley Asher 4H
Division 5: Madalyn Taron Bethel FFA
Wethers:
Division 1: KJ Anthony Bethel 4H
Division 2: Josey Milburn Asher FFA
Division 3: Kasen Carrera Shawnee 4H
Division 4: Delaney Emerson Tecumseh 4H
Division 5: Josey Milburn Asher FFA
GRAND CHAMPION WETHER: KJ Anthony Bethel
4H RES GRAND CHAMPION WETHER: Josey Milburn Asher
FFA GRAND CHAMP DOE: Carter Sisco Asher 4H
RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION DOE: Madalyn Taron Bethel FFA
SHOWMANSHIP:
3-5th grade: Jett Tooley Asher 4H
6-8th grade: KJ Anthony Bethel 4H
9-12th: Josey Milburn Asher FFA
4-H and FFA Herdsman Award: Bethel 4H and FFA
HIGH POINT MEAT GOAT BUCKLE: Madilyn Taron Bethel FFA
***
BEEF AWARDS
Open:
Hereford: Gavin Klippenstine
Dairy: Jersey: Maddilyn Taron Tecumseh FFA
AOB: Maddilyn Taron Tecumseh FFA
HEIFERS Angus: Austin Ramsey Tecumseh FFA
Beefmaster: Cayden Carpenter Bethel FFA
Hereford: Taylor Marrs Tecumseh FFA
Limousin: Taycie Baker Bethel 4H
Maine: Rylee Williams Tecumseh FFA
Red Angus: Bryar Baker Bethel 4H
Shorthorn: Helen Speers Tecumseh FFA
Simmental: Rylee Williams Tecumseh FFA
Santa Gertrudis: Callie Loman Bethel 4H
Other Breeds: Jazmyn Arthur North Rock Creek
FFA Commercial: Taycie Baker Bethel 4H
PROSPECT STEERS:
Angus: Gus Goodson North Rock Creek FFA
Charolais: Taycie Baker Bethel 4H
Limousin: Bryar Baker Bethel 4H
Shorthorn: Mackenzie Sullivan Bethel FFA
Commercial: Sawyer Spears Tecumseh FFA
MARKET STEERS:
Charolais: Olivia Rawlins Tecumseh FFA
Chianina: Olivia Rawlins Tecumseh FFA
Shorthorn: Jimmie Spears Tecumseh 4H
Simmental: Taycie Baker Bethel 4
Cross Breeds: Gus Goodson North Rock Creek FFA
SHOWMANSHIP BUCKLES:
3-5th grade: Taycie Baker Bethel 4H
6-8th grade: Katie Haysmer Dale FFA
9-12th grade: Rylee Williams Tecumseh FFA
Supreme Champion Heifer: Taycie Baker Bethel 4H
Reserve Supreme Champion Heifer: Cayden Carpenter Bethel
FFA Grand Champion Steer: Taycie Baker Bethel 4H
Reserve Grand Champion Steer: Gus Goodson North Rock Creek FFA
Grand Champ Prospect Steer: Gus Goodson North Rock Creek FFA
Reserve Grand Champion Prospect Steer: Taycie Baker Bethel 4H
4-H and FFA Beef Herdsman Award: Bethel 4H & FFA
Gold Belt Buckle High Point Award: Taycie Baker Bethel 4H
***
SHEEP AWARDS
Open Ewe: Rooster Goggins – Bethel Breed Champion
EWES:
Division 1: Poppy Robinson Dale FFA
Division 2: Poppy Robinson Dale FFA
Division 3: Kinsley Foster Dale FFA
Division 4: Gracie Little McLoud FFA
Division 5: KJ Anthony Bethel 4H
WETHERS:
Division 1: Justice Winterowd Dale FFA
Division 2: Justice Winerowd Dale FFA
Division 3: Poppy Robinson Dale FFA
Division 4: Jessica Rushing Tecumseh FFA
Division 5: Taylor Marlow Bethel FFA
SHOWMANSHIP:
6-8th grade: KJ Anthony Bethel 4H
9-12th grade: Poppy Robinson Dale FFA
Grand Champion Ewe: KJ Anthony Bethel 4H
Res. Gr. Champion Ewe: Gracie Little McLoud FFA
Grand Champion Wether: Jessica Rushing Dale FFA
Res. Gr. Champion Wether: Taylor Marlow Bethel FFA
4-H and FFA Sheep Herdsman Award: Dale 4H & FFA
Gold Belt Buckle Hi Point Award: Poppy Robinson Dale FFA
***
SWINE AWARDS
Open:
Berkshire: Grady Whittington – Tecumseh
Commercial: Merit Nichols – Tecumseh
GILTS:
Berkshire: Tatum Smith North Rock Creek 4H
Chester: Kylee Townsend Tecumseh 4H
Duroc: Tatum Smith North Rock Creek 4H
Hampshire: Tatum Smith North Rock Creek 4H
Spot: Tanna Gray Tecumseh FFA
Yorkshire: Ryleigh Guderian Bethel 4H
Cross Breeds: Hailee Townsend Tecumseh 4H
MARKET SWINE:
Berkshire: Tatum Smith North Rock Creek 4H
Chester: Austyn Wood McLoud FFA
Hampshire: Austyn Wood McLoud FFA
Yorkshire: Ryleigh Guderian Bethel 4H
Cross Breeds: Austyn Wood McLoud FFA
SHOWMANSHIP:
3-5th grade: Ryleigh Guderian Bethel 4H
6-8th grade: Hailee Townsend Tecumseh FFA
9-12th grade: Austyn Wood McLoud FFA
Grand Champion Gilt: Ryleigh Guderian Bethel 4H
Res. Grand Champion Gilt: Tatum Smith North Rock Creek 4H
Grand Champion Market Swine: Tatum Smith North Rock Creek 4H
Reserve Grand Champion Market Swine: Austyn Wood McLoud FFA
4-H and FFA Swine Herdsman Award: Tecumseh 4H & FFA
Gold Belt Buckle High Point Award: Tatum Smith North Rock Creek 4H
