Here are the winners of this year’s Houghton County Fair Exhibitor’s Awards
Exhibitor of the Year (Formerly Homemaker of the Year): Cathy Issacson
Open Indoor Best in Show:
Sewing—Theresa Shebby
Crochet—Melanie Perrault
Knitting—Gretchen Hein
Quilting—Beegu Keranen
Stichery—Sue Harter
Other Needlework—Karen Labell
Food Preparation–Cathy Isaacson
Food Preservation–Diane Eshbach
Fine Arts—Joanne Seppanen
Folk Arts—Julie Palek
Photgraphy 8×10—Pamela Hecht
Photography Cellphone Picture—Jay Kamm
Antiques—Joyce Lorch
Flowers—Eunice Dix
Plants—Cathy Issacson
Horticulture—Bill Isaacson
Agriculture—Gary Palosaari
Food Preparation
Red Star Yeast Winners—1st Joanne Lahti; 2nd Kathleen Abbott; 3rd Melanie Walls
King Arthur Baking Winners—1st Kathleen Abbott; 2nd Melanie Walls; 3rd Carol Freeman
Ball & Kerr Winners:
Soft Spreads—1st Kelly Kesti; 2nd Melanie Walls
Pickles/Relish—1st Diane Eshbach; 2nd Joan Dostaler
Vegetable—1st Connor Kamm; 2nd Melanie Walls
Fruit—1st Jenny Dice; 2nd Joan Dostaler
Cake—Cathy Issacson
Dill Pickles—Diane Eschbach
Youth Indoor Still Exhibits
Best of Show Club Booth–Crafts and Critters
Best Decorated Club Booth–Crafts and Critters
Youth Still Exhibits—Best of Show Winners
Needlework, Jr—Norelle Klein
Needlework, Sr—May Amelia Shapton
Culinary Arts-Food Preparation, Jr—Grace Torola
Culinary Arts-Food Preparation, Sr—Alaina Bach
Fine Arts, Sr—Kaleigh Miller
Fine Arts, Sr—Joni Anderson
Folk Arts, Jr—Fabricart—Azura Aho
Folk Arts, Sr—Hobbies—Amelia Kamm
Folk Arts, Jr—Hobbies—Aili Narhi
Folk Arts, Jr-Mechanical Educational—Giselle Wiitanen
Folk Arts, Sr-Mechanical Educational—May Amelia Shapton
Folk Arts, Jr-Manmade Material—Wyatt Hiner
Folk Arts, Sr-Manmade Material–Andrew Olson
Folk Arts, Sr-Paper/Holiday—David Olson
Folk Arts, Sr-Wood—Gabe Torola
Photography, Jr—Lela Walls
Floriculture, Jr—Vivian Lorch
Floriculture, Sr—Branden Lorch
Horticulture, Jr—Addeline Schmitt
Natural Resources, Sr—Siona Beaudoin
Hog Show
Grand Champion Market Hog—Lane Laux
Reserve Champion Market Hog—Kyla Strom
Lightweight Market Hog Champion—Kyla Strom
Medium Weight Market Hog—Bethany McParlan
Heavyweight Market Hog—Lane Laux
Senior Fitting and Showing—Chloe McParlan
Junior Fitting and Showing—Kayla Strom
Grand Champion Fitting and Showing–Kyla Strom
Open Dairy Show
Adult Dairy Showmanship Champion–Karen Palosaari
Open Grand Champion Dairy Female–Karen Palosaari
Open Reserve Champion Dairy Female–Karen Palosaari
Youth Dairy Show
Sr. Dairy Showmanship Champion–Madisyn Holombo
Jr. Dairy Showmanship Champion–Kyle Palosaari
Grand Champion Showmanship–Madisyn Holombo
Grand Champion Dairy Female–Madisyn Holombo
Reserve Champion Dairy Female–Kyle Palosaari
Open Poultry Show
Best of Show–Giselle Wiitanen
Grand Champion–Jenna Beaudoin
Reserve Champion–Cheri Laux
Youth Poultry Show
Grand Champion–Jewel Laux
Reserve Champion–Rae Hix
Open Rabbit Show
Grand Champion–Barb Jarvi
Reserve Champion–Barb Jarvi
Best of Show–Lorelei Fryer
Youth Rabbit Show
Grand Champion–Lorelei Fryer
Reserve Champion–Sterling Fryer
Camelids
Youth Show Champion–Jenna Beaudoin
Open Show Champion–Siona Beaudoin
Grand Champion Showman–Jenna Beaudoin
Youth Sheep Show
Junior Showman Champion–Austin Hupp
Senior Showman Champion–Jewel Laux
Grand Champion Showman–Jewel Laux
Grand Champion Market Lamb–Jewel Laux
Reserve Champion Market Lamb–Ruby Laux
Grand Champion Ewe–Amelia Laux
Reserve Champion Ewe–Jenna Beaudoin
Open Sheep Show
Grand Champion–Amelia Laux
Reserve Champion–Jenna Beaudoin
Open Goat Show
Adult Fitting & Showing Champion–Laurie Hayes
Grand Champion Dairy Goat Doe–Lori Stingle
Reserve Champion Dairy Goat Doe–Laurie Hayes
Grand and Reserve Champion Meat Goat Doe–Laurie Hayes
Youth Goat Show
Sr. Fitting & Showing Champion–Jewel Laux
Jr. Fitting & Showing Champion–Daisy Zawada
Grand Champion Fitting & Showing–Jewel Laux
Grand Champion Dairy Goat Doe–Jewel Laux
Reserve Champion Dairy Goat Doe–Amelia Laux
Open Beef Show
Adult Beef Showmanship Champion–Diane Mattila
Grand Champion Beef Female–Steve Palosaari
Reserve Champion Beef Female–Steve Palosaari
Youth Beef Show
Sr. Beef Showmanship Champion–Alia Palosaari
Jr. Beef Showmanship Champion–Caitlyn Strom
Grand Champion Showmanship–Alia Palosaari
Grand Champion Beef Female–Jewel Laux
Grand Champion Market Beef Steer–Caitlyn Strom
Reserve Champion Market Steer–Alexis Strom
Market Livestock Auction
Grand Champion Steer owned by Caitlyn Strom sold to Tadych’s Econo Foods at $5.00 per pound.
Reserve Champion Steer owned by Alexis Strom sold to Northland Lawn & Sport at $4.50/lb.
Grand Champion Lamb owned by Jewel Laux sold to Farm Bureau Insurance–Steve Baker Agency at $10.00/lb.
Reserve Champion Lamb owned by Ruby Laux sold to Pat’s Foods Hancock at $9.00/lb.
Grand Champion Hog owned by Lane Laux sold to Ed McBroom for Senate at $4.75/lb.
Reserve Champion Hog owned by Kyla Strom sold to Northland Lawn & Sport at $7.25/lb.
Livestock Skill-a-thon
Junior-Age 7-12 (19 participants)–1st Caitlyn Strom; 2nd Kyla Strom; 3rd Bailey Strom; 4th Claudia Torrey; 5th Ruby Laux; 6th Jenna Beaudoin; 7th Oriana Olson; 8th Veronica Naasko
Senior-Age 13-19 (13 participants)–1st Kyle Mattila; 2nd Jewel Laux; 3rd Justin Mattila; 4th John Naasko; 5th Maria Naasko; 6th Alaina Bach; 7th Alia Palosaari; 8th Raymond Naasko
Adult-Age 20 & over (16 participants)–1st Judy Szyszkoki; 2nd Katie Mattila; 3rd Cheri Laux; 4th Ben Naasko; 5th Denise Kraker; 6th Ryan Mattila; 7th Natalie Hupp; 8th Laurie Hayes
Antique Tractor
Best Antique Tractor Fair Choice–1949 Minneapolis Moline
People’s Choice–1949 International W9
Livestock Stable Management–1st Country Clovers 4-H Club; 2nd Country Living 4-H Club
Horse Show
High Point Belt Buckle Winners
Junior–Marisa Hird
Senior–Emily Lindley
Adult–Kylie Huitema
Jackpot Winners
Barrels–Courtney Holzberger
Plug–Courtney Holzberger
Poles–Roberta Coppler
5 Bar–Kylie Huitema
Open Halter Show
Grand Champion–Marisa Hird
Reserve Champion–Kylie Huitema
Cowboy Challenge Winners
Veterans Class–1st Susan Kowalski; 2nd Halli Lindley; 3rd Nicole Garnel
Junior Class–1st Kaylee Cavis; 2nd Madelynn Raasio; 3rd Savannah Hendrickson; 4th Audrey Hiner; 5th Hannah Loukus
Senior Class–1st Courtney Holzberger; 2nd Celia DeMarios; 3rd Kylie Huitema; 4th Courtney Holzberger
Motorcross Races
50cc–1st Branden Kari; 2nd Dalton O’Connell; 3rd Cameron Statler; 4th Gavin Johnson; 5th Tristen Gesetich; 6th Ryder Tatman; 7th Jordan Statler; 8th Karson Kavrala; 9th Sadie Statler; 10th Madmon Pokus
66cc/85 (9-13)–1st Daylon Teddy; 1st Jace Miller; 2nd Bradly Johnson; 3rd Kailob Bianco; 4th Karson Goodreau; 5th Lane Laux; 6th Matt Fantti; 7th Vincenz Lester; 8th Kaiden Kaurala
250A Expert–1st Dusty Rafaelli; 2nd Eric Palosaari
Open Class B–1st Bailey Touriniemi; 2nd Daeson Touriniemi; 3rd Elliot Binnett; 4th Jordan Deforge; 5th Nathan Maki
85cc (9-11)–1st Jace Miller; 2nd Kaiden Kaurala; 3rd Lane Laux; 4th Karson Goodreau; 5th Matt Frantti; 6th Kailob Bianco; 7th Bradley Johnson; 8th Daylon Teddy
Vet +30–1st Jordan Deforge; 2nd Paul Hunter; 3rd Curtis Tatman; 4th Brian Mattfolk; 5th Nectar Raffaelli
125cc–1st Bailey Touriniemi; 2nd Daesan Touriniemi; 3rd Landon Mattson; 4th Elliot Bennett; 5th Daniel Weimer; 6th Jensen Schneidelhar; 7th Branson Lester
250 B–1st Bailey Touriniemi; 2nd Daeson Touriniemi; 3rd Elliot Bennet; 4th Landen Mattson; 5th Nathon Maki
Open A–1st Eric Palosaari; 2nd Dusty Raffaelli
Quads/4-Wheeler–1st Jensen Schneidelhar; 2nd Jim Statler; 3rd Brian Mattfolk
Off Road Derby (19 participants)
Heat 1–1st Kyle DesRorchers; 2nd Dan Wadaga; 3rd Damien Negrish; 4th Bruce Sherer; 5th Jimmy Mariette
Heat 2–1st Kyle Kaster; 2nd Luke Walitalo; 3rd Chris Morgan; 4th Jason Niemi; 5th Joe Kaster
Heat 3–1st Karry Datto; Lloyd Jacobson; 3rd Travis Mannikko; 4th Daryl Usitalo; 5th Brad Jenkins
Heat 4–1st Ray VanAlstine; 2nd Steven Koski; 3rd Austin Serotzke; 4th Katie Mattila
Last Chance Heat 1–1st Bruce Scherer; 2nd Austin Serotzke; 3rd Daryl Negrish; 4th Damien Negrish
Last Chance Heat 2–Jimmy Mariette; 2nd Travis Mannikko; 3rd Chris Morgan; 4th Brad Jenkins; 5th Jason Niemi
Feature Heat 1–1st Kyle DesRorchers; 2nd Dan Wadaga; 3rd Kyle Kaster; 4th Luke Walitalo; 5th Bruce Scherer
Feature Heat 2–1st Karry Datto; 2nd Lloyd Jacobson; 3rd Steven Koski; 4th Jimmy Mariette; 5th Ray VanAlstine
Final Heat–1st Karry Datto; 2nd Kyle Kaster; 3rd Dan Wadaga; 4th Kyle DesRorchers
Mechanics Race Heat 1–1st Dylan Jackman; 2nd Karl Usitalo
Mechanics Race Heat 2–1st Alissa Robillard; 2nd Taywne Kaster
Mechanics Final–1st Karl Usitalo; 2nd Dylan Jackman; 3rd Alissa Robillard
Demolition Derby
Best Decorated–906-Leroy Kenny Jr
Best Hit–442-Kevin Heikkila
Heat #1–1st 12-Roger Stack; 2nd 906-Leroy Kenny Jr
Heat #2–1st 45-Lloyd Jacobson; 2nd 74K-Dan Kneebone
Heat #3–1st 777-John Kaster; 2nd 27-Tim Carlson
Heat #4–1st 74-Dan Kneebone; 2nd 426-Robert Fiegel
Heat #5–1st 420-Chris Peyser; 2nd 49-DJ Paavo
Consolation Heat Winner–13-Jack Hicks
Feature Heat Winners–1st 74K-Jeff Christopher; 2nd 27-Time Carlson; 3rd 74-Dan Kneebone; 4th 45-Lloyd Jacobson; 5th 12-Roger Struck
Youth Talent Show
12 Years old and younger–1st Sara Neva; 2nd Coralee Daughtery
13-19 Years old–1st Daphne Maki; 2nd Jenna Sulisz; 3rd Gracia Perala; 4th John Naasko