Results from the Northwest Montana Fair

Fair Champions Announced

The 2024 Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo is in full swing at the Flathead County Fairgrounds through Sunday, Aug. 18. Fairgoers can view hundreds of exhibits, including these blue-ribbon entries:

Sheep – 4-H/FFA

Market Lamb

Grand Champion: Laila Sargent

Reserve Champion: Halsey Middlemist

Crossbred Ewe

Grand Champion: Laila Sargent

Reserve Champion: Halsey Middlemist

Senior Novice Showman

Grand Champion: Nicholas Taylor

Reserve Champion: Judith Young

Junior Novice Showman

Grand Champion: Garrett Brist

Junior Showman

Grand Champion: Halsey Middlemist

Reserve Champion: Ayden Middlemist

Senior Showman

Grand Champion: Laila Sargent

Reserve Champion: Jubilee Mclean

Best Showman

Winner: Braelynn Rudiger

4-H/FFA Dog Show

Skill-a-thon

Champion: Elliott Schwartzenberger

Reserve Champion: Samuel Burns

Junior Rally-O

Champion: Colton Oedekoven

Reserve: Natalie Smith

Junior Novice Rally-O

Champion: Kylee Oedekoven

Reserve: Olivia Druyvestein

Freestyle/Trick Dog

Champion: Kylee Oedekoven

Reserve: Colton Oedekoven

Beginner Obedience

Champion: Kylee Oedekoven

Reserve: Samuel Burns

Intermediate Obedience

Champion: Colton Oedekoven

Reserve Natalie Smith

Junior Novice Obedience

Champion: Amelia Smith

Reserve: Weslee Witten

Puppy Obedience

Champion: Elliott Schwartzenberger

Reserve: Lizzy Albrecht

Costume

Champion: Olivia Druyvestein

Reserve: Maddie McVicker

Champion Dog Showmanship - Senior

Aeris Morris

Dog Showmanship - Junior

Champion: Colton Oedekoven

Reserve: Sage Witten

Fine Arts

Children (ages 7 & under)

Grand Champion: Abigail Quynn

Reserve Champion: Ruby Libsack

Children (ages 8 - 11)

Grand Champion: Gideon Clark

Reserve Champion: Judah Quynn

Children (ages 12 - 14)

Grand Champion: Karissa Jepsen

Reserve Champion: Gwendolyn Russell

Junior (ages 15 - 17)

Grand Champion: Trinity Hutchison

Reserve Champion: Amanda Hutchison

Amateur (18 – 59 years)

Grand Champion: Kaitlyn Bennett

Reserve Champion: Josh Elliott

Seniors (60 and over)

Grand Champion: Julie Frederick

Reserve Champion: Colleen Ramsey

Special Needs

Grand Champion: Vincent Hargrove

Reserve Champion: Vincent Hargrove

Drawing

Best of Show: Jessica Wagatsuma

Painting

Best of Show: Crystal Clark

Photography

Children (11 years and under)

Grand Champion: Jace Roberts

Reserve Champion: Scott Weldele

Juniors (12 – 14 years)

Grand Champion: Miel Newton

Reserve Champion: Kadence Corrigan

Teens (15 – 19 years)

Grand Champion: Haven Newton

Reserve Champion: Kyra Hutchison

Adults (20 – 59 years)

Grand Champion: Vanessa Harbaugh

Reserve Champion: Vanessa Harbaugh

Senior Adults (60 years and over)

Grand Champion: Mark Sanman

Reserve Champion: Beverly Grimm

Special Needs (all ages)

Grand Champion: Kayla Ekern

Reserve Champion: Kayla Ekern

Professional

Grand Champion: Jami Ekern

Reserve Champion: Jami Ekern

Best of Show

Winner: Jami Ekern

Sharon Askelson Memorial Award

Winner: Mark Sanman

Crafts

Ceramics

Best of Show: Madeline Simms

Jewelry

Best of Show: Maria Arrington

Legos

Best of Show: Ezra Clark (original); Jonah Sphuler (kit)

Metal Craft

Best of Show: Josh Kauffman

Miniatures

Best of Show: Marcella Van

Miscellaneous

Best of Show: Laney Murer

Native Arts

Best of Show: Maria Arrington

Natural Materials

Best of Show: Nancy Carpenter

Painting

Best of Show: Madison Brandt

Paper Craft

Best of Show: Nikki Helms

Skin Care

Best of Show: Jessica Wagatsuma

Textiles

Best of Show: Marie Goeden

Woodworking

Best of Show:  Taften Erickson

Grand Champion Crafts

Guy Matthews

Reserve Champion Crafts

Taften Erickson

Horses – Open

Showmanship (ages 8 & under)

Grand: Henry Nugren

Showmanship (ages 9-12)

Grand: Abby Visnovske

Reserve: Reagan Roberts

Showmanship (ages 13-16)

Grand: Raya Gronley

Reserve: Kambrie Steward

Senior Showmanship (ages 17 & over)

Grand: Zoe Guffin

Reserve: Melissa Ohs

Overall Champion Horse Showman

Winner: Raya Gronley

Unregistered Horse

Grand Champion: Katelyn Drager

Reserve Champion: Reagan Roberts

Paint

Grand Champion: Kambrie Steward

Reserve Champion: Hadlee Lau

Quarter Horse

Grand Champion: Melissa Ohs

Reserve Champion: Tracy Bean

Any Other Registered Breed

Grand Champion: Abby Visnovske

High Scoring Horse, Trail Class

Winner: Quindy Gronley

Horses – 4H/FFA

Top Notch Horse Sportsmanship

Winner: Kambrie Steward

Best Decorated Stall

Winner: Addy Aiken

Senior Horse Showman

Grand Champion: Quindy Gronley

Reserve Champion: McKinley Bean

Junior Horse Showman

Grand Champion: Addy Aiken

Reserve Champion: Abby Visnovske

Pre-Junior Showman

Grand Champion: Sidni Sorensen

Reserve Champion: Lisa Tuck

Novice Showman

Grand Champion: Leo Boucher

Reserve Champion: Tyler Maciver

Overall Champion

Senior: McKinley Bean

Junior: Sidni Sorensen

Overall Reserve Champion

Senior: Brynn Mason

Junior: Kambrie Steward

Overall Working Ranch Horse Rider

Level 1: Emily Tuck

Level 2: Sidni Sorensen

Overall Trail Horse Rider

Winner: Raya Gronley

Overall Colt to Maturity

Winner: Sawyer Sorensen

Flathead 4-H Game Project

Level 1: Vayda Kauffman

Level 2: Lena Cooley

Level 3: Sidni Sorensen

“Me & My Horse” Poster Senior/Junior

Champion: Addy Aiken

Reserve: Kashlynn Knodel

Educational Poster Senior/Junior

Champion: Kashlynn Knodel

Reserve: Addy Aiken

Needlecraft – Open

Best Machine Quilted Item (Div 49-51)

Winner: Sandy Taylor

Best Machine Quilted Item (Child)

Winner: Titus Irby

Best Knitted Item (Div 49-51)

Winner: Kathleen Lehner

Best Crocheted Item (Teen)

Winner: Aria DeZell

Best Hand Embroidered Item

Winner: Jeanine Buetner

Best Hand Woven Item

Winner: Rudy Zulkiewics

Best Handspun Item

Winner: Nancy Carpenter

Best Needlepoint/Cross Stitch Item

Winner: Sandy Heuscher

Best Holiday/Seasonal Item (Div 49-51)

Winner: Jean Agather

Best Special Needs Item

Winner: Amie Bartell

Agriculture & Horticulture – 4-H/FFA

Senior Market Garden Basket

Champion: Teagen Flint

Cucumbers

Best of Show: Sawyer Kauffman

Beans

Best of Show: Chaise Pliley

Carrots

Best of Show: Reuben Mast

Zucchini

Best of Show: Adelyn Blade

Potatoes

Best of Show: Hadley Blade

Agriculture & Horticulture – Open

Cucumber

Best of Show: Madeline Simms

Potatoes

Best of Show: Genvieve Hill

Tomatoes

Best of Show: Maryann Newton

Beets

Best of Show: Maryann Newton

Peppers

Best of Show: Jessica Wagatsuma

Herbs

Best of Show: Jessica Wagatsuma

Sunflower

Best of Show: Whrett Warner

Garden Creation

Best of Show: Madeline Simms

Mr. Potato Head

Best of Show: Maliyah Mason

Veggie Car

Best of Show: Jack Tuck

Scarecrow Creation

Best of Show: Graysen F.