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Published August 17, 2011, 12:00 AM

PHOTO GALLERY: Pierce County Fair 2011


River Falls resident Mary Lundeberg won a reserve grand champion prize for this up-close nature photograph.


Debbie Griffin photos

  • River Falls resident Mary Lundeberg won a reserve grand champion prize for this up-close nature photograph. <br /><br /><br />Debbie Griffin photos<br />
  • River Falls residents Bethany O’Leary and Nathan Jennings (back to camera) wash pigs Petunia and Ralph in preparation for showing at the 128th annual Pierce County Fair last Thursday, the first day gates opened at the annual event, which had a theme this year of “Let the Fun Rain Down.” Jennings, 10, said they’d brought to the fair two other pigs named Marshmallow -- because pigs love the sweet treat -- and Chewy. The boy said judges look at four things in swine: Length, width, depth and height.
  • Kids of all ages were drawn to the big "toys" on display like ATVs and four wheelers. Here, Darryl Zurn (right) of Hudson looks on as daughter Hannah and son Kent check out one of the machines.
  • Julie Mazae of River Falls earned a champion ribbon at the fair for her work on this entry in the 'home furnishings/weaving' category.
  • Three-year-old Adam Capataske of Ellsworth can barely contain his excitement about going in to show his sheep.
  • Several large Holstein dairy cows from the River Falls farm of Jason and Cathy Deiss had a temporary home inside one of the barns during the days of the Pierce County Fair last week in Ellsworth.
  • Horse-related classes began happening Thursday, Aug. 11 at the Pierce County Fair, which traditionally starts with a presentation of the flags and a playing of the national anthem. Here, local horsewoman Paige Giske carries the United States Air Force flag around the horse arena before competitions began. For the ceremony, a rider brings in each flag then all the riders parade the flags around the arena.
  • A stroll through the horse barn at the Pierce County Fair brought visitors face-to-face with many equines, including Sassy the pony.
  • Lots of kids and adults sought the thrills of rides at the Pierce County Fair midway, which included a classic Ferris wheel, a merry go round, a big slide and many other contraptions to spin, whirl and whip around riders.
  • Many different classes of animal judging, as well as side attractions drew the attention of child and adult fairgoers, including a clown who created balloon animals, a talent show, 4-H games and demonstrations, a petting zoo, pony rides, tractor pulls, comedians, a ventriloquist, singers and lots of county fair food.
  • Pierce County Fair visitors could look at, climb into and otherwise evaluate all kinds of farm implements, from big ones to small ones.
  • A longtime Pierce County Fair superintendent of the 4-H home furnishings entries, Georgia Kelm (center) consults with fair helpers last Thursday after judging.
  • Colleen Engen of River Falls and the Cloverleaf 4-H club, won the grand champion ribbon in the flowers and houseplants category at the Pierce County Fair.
  • 4-H competitions make up a big part of the fair with dozens of categories ranging from clothing, knitting and crocheting to woodworking, photography and flowers and plants. Nicholas Oeltjen of Beldenville earned grand champion status in the home furnishings category for this handmade bar that incorporated tile and glass.