Open Class Photography units new judging date

By Sarah Nigbor

ELLSWORTH – The Pierce County Fair is true across the nook and this yr, Open Class Photography entrants will see a change meant to enhance effectivity and accessibility.

Longtime Supt. Lurene Johnson mentioned entry day shall be held midday to eight p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11 within the Home Economics Building somewhat than on Wednesday as previously.

“Judging will take place at 9 a.m. Wednesday,” Johnson mentioned. “We will already have almost three hours of judging in before entries start coming into the other departments. I knew from the beginning that that would be a glitch.”

Though it is likely to be a glitch for these used to the routine, the change is supposed to make issues simpler for entrants and fairgoers. Johnson has posted the change on Facebook, despatched emails and the knowledge is within the Pierce County Fair ebook.

She can even block off the images space throughout judging to present judges and their assistants ample time and room to report the outcomes, distribute ribbons and dangle up the photographs.

“With foods, cultural arts, knitting & crocheting and photography in that building, on Thursday during judging you cannot move,” Johnson laughed. “It is so jam-packed with people. I wanted to make it a better experience so when fairgoers come on Thursday, they can walk through and see who got prizes.”

Johnson took over the superintendent function from Keith Bennett a few years in the past, she mentioned. She began out in 4-H when she was 9 years previous and continued by commencement. She started getting into ceramics and images initiatives in Open Class.

“When my son came along, he was involved in Open Class before he was old enough to be in 4-H, showing sheep, photography, cake decorating,” she mentioned. “In fact, one year, I mentioned to him about entering electricity because I had always done electricity also.”

He is now {an electrical} supervisor/engineer on the St. Paul Refinery. He additionally nonetheless pursues his love of images, additionally fostered on the Pierce County Fair.

“Seeing the photos that he takes, they rival things that you see in magazines. He is such a great photographer,” Johnson mentioned.

Johnson loves the honest a lot that when she realized Bennett was retiring from the superintendent function, she determined to volunteer, although she knew it could be an enormous job. It’s one of many largest departments on the honest.

“I judge at several other fairs and the competition at Pierce County is unrivaled,” Johnson mentioned. “The different classes, we have matted and framed, I can’t think of another fair that has matted and framed. I think that’s a big draw. The people who enter know that this is extremely competitive area and they’re out for blood.”

Her sister, Char Valenzuela, a well-recognized identify within the Open Class departments, helps her manage the honest entries and beautify the house.

“My sister has been absolutely incredible,” Johnson mentioned. “She has quite the eye for design. If you saw her house and yard at holidays, she could easily open up for people to tour. She helps me and all the ideas she’s come up with, I’m so proud of the way the Open Class Photography looks. I think it’s beautiful, it draws people’s attention.”

This yr Johnson plans to do much more to spotlight the champions and grand champions. Not solely will they be receiving a plaque, however the grand champion in every class (handbook and computerized) could have their work displayed on an easel.

“I want to highlight the work these people put into it and the dedication. There’s love in it. It’s so much fun to see people enjoying it,” Johnson mentioned.

While it’s too late to enter this yr’s honest, Johnson encourages these fascinated about images to enter subsequent yr’s honest. There are many courses, together with cellphone or level and shoot and handbook cameras. She is at all times out there for questions at 715-307-2615.

The Pierce County Fair runs from Aug. 13-16, 2026. This yr’s theme is “Yesterday’s Memories, Tomorrow’s Dreams.”