Draft Horse Hitch and Homebrewed Lagers Ales and Wines Awarded

The Tomato Festival Parade and Pageant have long been a staple of the Henry County Fair at the Henry County Fairgrounds in Napoleon, Ohio. The 157th fair and Junior Fair were held this year on August 13 through 19. Annually of interest are competitions in adult entry categories.

Contests and Judging Awards Henry County Fair

Everything from Draft Horse Hitch to the lagers, ales, and wines entered in the Homebrews contest are awarded at the Henry County Fair. There are Needlework and Gardening competitions, Photography, and artworks and floral arrangements all entered by adults seeking to display their handiwork apart from the Junior Fair competitors.

Dog and English Horse shows, and of course, market livestock from Junior Fair participants, winners in the Largest Grown Ripe Tomato and Open Adult Baked Goods judging, and the area youth's 4-H Booth judging, as well as open class harness racing all take their turns to earn recognition and awards.

Winners In Draft Horse Categories

Teresa Dunn and Chris Junge took first place honors in Draft Halter Stallion and Men's Cart Hitch, respectively, as they handled their animals in front of the Grandstand onlookers on Monday's programs.

Bethany Dunn won in the Mule Halter category.

Chuck Bowers swept the day in Draft Horse Hitch as he won in several categories, including those of Six-Horse Hitch, Four-Horse Hitch, Unicorn (one) Horse Hitch, Youth Team Hitch (age 15-18), and Tandem Cart.

Homebrewed Beer, Ale, and Wine

The interesting categories of Homebrewed Beer (Lagers), Ale, and Wine were judged on Saturday in the Farm Bureau Tent that also housed an Agricultural Hall of Fame Presentation.

Scot Yarnell earned first place recognition in the following: Best of Show Homebrewed Beer and Ale; and first place in Amber and Dark Lager, in American Ales, and in English Ales.

Dale Abel earned Best of Show Reserve Homebrewed Beer and Ale, and first place in Belgian and French Ales, and in Specialty Beers.

Mark McGuire took home first place in Scottish and Irish Ales, and in German Wheat and Rye Ales, while Bob Panning placed first in Hybrid Beers.

Martin Karabin was recognized as Best of Show Homemade Wine, and was first in Dry Red Grape Wine, as well as White Grapes Dry Wine, while Arthur Lange took Best of Show Reserve Homemade Wine. Lange was also first in Specialty Wine.

Gary Hurst garnered first place in Red Grape Sweet Wine and in Berry and Fruit Dry Wine. Berry and Fruit Sweet Wine first place recognition went to LeAnn Hall.

Kay Boroff was first in Dessert Wine, and Eric Rohrs copped the first place ribbon in Sparkling Wine and in Rose/Blush Wine.

Henry County Fair Information

For more information about the Henry County Fair in Ohio, write to its Agricultural Society Fair Board of Directors at P.O.Box 387, Napoleon, Ohio 43545, or call (419) 592-9096.