Primghar, Iowa — The 100th O’Brien County Fair is in the history books. One of the fair’s organizers took some time to tell us how one of the contests went.
Carol McDowell of rural Sheldon tells us O’Brien County’s citizens and visitors were treated to an “enjoyable, educational, and exceptional experience all week long.” She tells us that the fair board and volunteers, with an assist from comfortable weather, did a wonderful job. Numerous 4-H and FFA alumni attended festivities throughout the special week.
McDowell and Ardith Evenson were the coordinators of the first-ever Traditional Cinnamon Roll Contest held Wednesday, July 24th, says McDowell. She says they extend a heartfelt thanks to the 29 exhibitors who brought 41 delicious entries in two classes (caramel with or without nuts and frosted on the top only). McDowell offers her congratulations to Dee Akeson from Archer who won the caramel category and Brad Tebben from Sanborn who won the frosted category, taking home the $100 first-place checks. She says, “Two judges, seven volunteers, and one emcee contributed significantly to the contest’s success, and the event attracted an audience of nearly 100 fairgoers.” She says the O’Brien County Farm Bureau Board generously provided prize money and the contest could not have been a success without the support of the O’Brien County Fair Board and the promotion by local media.
McDowell also says she wants to extend her sincere appreciation to the 17 restaurants, grocery stores, and convenience stores that generously provided door prizes for the audience. They were Crazy Bob’s (Hartley), Casey’s (Paullina), Bob and Scott’s (Primghar), Jays (Sanborn), Rails (Sanborn), Brady’s Pub (Sheldon), Breu House (Sheldon), Chinese Chef (Sheldon), Dairy Dandy (Sheldon), Fareway (Sheldon), Hardees (Sheldon), Hy-Vee (Sheldon), Langer’s Bar and Grill/Cook’s Café (Sheldon), Taco Johns (Sheldon), Train Station (Sheldon), Legacy’s Bar and Grill (Sutherland), and Main Market (Sutherland).
McDowell says, “The door prizes and emcee Don McDowell added an element of excitement and were invaluable in making this event interactive and enjoyable.”
As one attendee commented, “The cinnamon roll contest was a hit!” McDowell says she and others appreciated the friendly competition and the awesome taste testing afterwards.
