Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Buyers were out in force on Saturday evening, paying well above the market price for animals raised by 4-H’ers.

Jayden Neal, 12, of Albion is pictured with a pig that received the highest bid of seven swine. Bentley Brothers in Albion paid $6.75 per pound for the 264-pound pig or $1,782. Andy Beach, left, and Zach Welker keep an eye on the bidders.

The auction raised $18,888 for 4-H’ers, who sold a steer, pigs, lambs, meat goats, meat rabbits, and processed chickens and turkeys. (The live chickens and turkeys were banned from county fairs this year due to avian influenza.)

Robert Bannister, right, serves as auctioneer for the 4-H Market Meat Auction. His sister Jayne Bannister is in the ring with the lone steer in the auction. Panek Farms paid $4.50 a pound or $5,378 for the 1,195-pound animal.

Jim Panek, co-owner of the farm, said the Panek family wants to support the 4-H program and the kids who raise livestock.

He said the meat from the animal would be split up among family and employees of the farm.

John Gabalski, 14, of Byron has a pen of rabbits for sale in the auction. They sold for $70 each.

Ian Smith, 17, of Lyndonville is pictured with his grand champion rabbit. Laura Bentley from Bentley Brothers paid $105 for the rabbit.

Smith said a meat rabbit usually commands about $20. He said he would use the extra money from Bentley to buy cages, bowls and hutches for his rabbits.

Zach Welker eyes a bidder for a turkey raised by Grace Sapienza of Hilton. The turkey was already processed. Grace held up a poster with pictures of the animal. The 18-pound bird sold for $55.

Zachary Neal, 10, of Albion gives his pig a final brush before heading into the show ring. Zachary’s brother Jayden, left, also raised a pig for the auction. The brothers were happy with the prices for their pigs. Jayden received $6.75 a pound and Zachary got $5.25 a pound for a 224-pound pig from Lee Shukhecht and Sons in Elba.

Anna Wagester, 12, of Batavia watches the bids for her rabbit, which sold for $87.50. She also had a meat goat in the auction. Her mother Jennifer Wagester is director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Friday at the fair once again included a fireworks show by Young Explosives.

These photos were taken near the livestock barns.

The fireworks went off at about 10 p.m. and helped keep a big crowd at the fairgrounds.

The Who Dats put on an entertaining show at the main stage. Ed Hilfiker, right, plays the guitar and Lonnie Froman is the leader singer. John Borello, center, is also a guitarist.

Ed Hilfiker is silhouetted on the main stage during the Who Dats concert.

Aaron Robinson plays the drums for the Who Dats. Another band member includes Marty Hobbs on bass.

A 1947 Cadillac is among about 100 classic cars in a cruise in on Friday evening at the fair.

The Troll Diggers Practice Squad race to the grease pole and begin their climb. The team made it to the top in 27 seconds. They had already qualified for today’s championships.

Andrew Jones touches the top of the grease pole while standing on Isaiah Jenks’ shoulders. These photos were taken from a lift.

The competition draws several hundred people, perhaps more, as a finale to the fair each night.

Craig Calliste of Lyndonville makes his way up the grease pole for the Udder Suckers, a team of mostly former 4-H’ers who showed dairy animals.

Craig Calliste and the Udder Suckers made it to the top in 1:12. That earned the team a spot in tonight’s championships. Calliste is climbing over Noah Preston, who stands on Theo Irwin. Jonathan Trembley is the base for the team.

Natalie Mrzywka, 16, of Holley wins the title

Photos by Tom Rivers

Nicole Mrzywka, left, and her sister Natalie hold their trophies after the Grand Master Showmen Competition at the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Friday. Nicole was the reserve champion and Natalie won the event. Their mother Annette (Lear) Mrzywka won the title in the early 1990s.

The event includes the top showman in nine different animal breeds and has them compete for the grand master showman, showing nine different types of animals. It is a grueling three-hour event.

Natalie Mrzywka, 16, of Holley leads a dairy cow in the show ring on Friday. She qualified for the competition after winning the showmanship award for meat goats.

Natalie shows sheep, goats, horses and dogs. That experience helped her show the range of animals in Friday’s competition.

“It’s a lot of hard work,” she said.

Natalie said showing the beef cattle are the most difficult because they are often unruly.

Her sister gave her a big hug after Natalie was declared the winner of one of the fair’s most prestigious titles. Natalie said the sisters push each other to learn about animals and excel in the show ring.

Nicole Mrzywka, 14, keeps a dairy animal under control during the Grand Master Showman Competition. Nicole qualified as the top showman for dairy goats.

Emily Harling, 11, of Barre tries to get a sheep set up during the Grand Master Showmen Competition. Emily qualified as the top showman for horse (western). Jayne Bannister is behind Emily and judge Tammi Kron listens to an answer about the breed from Janie Schutz. Both Jayne and Janie are past winners of the Grand Master Showmen.

Janie Schutz, left, of Waterport and Elizabeth Bentley of Albion show sheep in the competition.

Schutz qualified as the beef cattle showman and Elizabeth represented the llamas.

Elizabeth, 17, has shown llamas outside of 4-H for years. This year she joined the 4-H program and also showed in the dairy competition.

“I would definitely do it again,” she said. “The people in the barns, we’ve all worked together and taught each other how to show the animals.”

Judge Tammi Kron of Alden eyes the showmen as the lead dairy animals in the show ring.

Kron said the competition was very close. It came down to a tie-breaking question that Natalie Mrzywka answered. Kron wanted to know the best spot for a showman to be in the show ring. Natalie said it’s best to have the animal in the center of a show ring so it can be easily visible to the judge.

The master showmen included Janie Schutz, representing beef cattle; Justin Robinson, representing dairy cattle; Nicole Mrzywka, representing dairy goats; Natalie Mrzywka, representing meat goats; Kelsey Hilburger, representing horse – English; Emily Harling, representing horse – Western; Elizabeth Bentley, representing llamas; and Jayne Bannister, representing sheep and swine.

While waiting for the scores to be tallied, the participants each took turns introducing themselves to the crowd and sharing a highlight from the competition. Emily Harling told the crowd she learned to step outside her comfort zone. Other master showmen include, from left in back: Justin Robinson of Albion, Kelsey Hilburger of Elba, Janie Schutz of Waterport and Jayne Bannister of Point Breeze.

Photos by Tom Rivers – John Borello, left, and Ed Hilfiker, guitarists with The Who Dats, perform on Friday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.

Special Event: Kids Love Trucks: Orleans Emergency, Fire Department, Law Enforcement, and Ambulance Services from across the county.

Daily Feature: Orleans County Flower Show, sponsored by Orleans County Master Gardeners. Display located in the Lartz Exhibit Building, daily presentations at 6 p.m.

Daily Feature Meet Michael Keene, author of five books on hidden history in New York, in the Lartz Building, 3-9 p.m.

8 a.m. Senior Council Stand Opens

9 a.m. Horse Games Day (Gymkhana) – Carlos Marcello Arena

10 a.m. All Buildings Open

1 to 4 p.m. Kids Love Trucks: ORLEANS EMERGENCY, Fire Dept., Law Enforcement, and Ambulance Services from across the county. Education Center Parking Lot

This 1965 Volkswagon was part on the Cruise-In Car Show Friday at the fair.

11:10 a.m. “Chopped” 4-H Youth Cooking Contest Starts – Orleanshub.com Stage

12 p.m. Small-Animal Grand Master Showman Competition – Wachob Pavilion

12 p.m. Leaders’ Pie Stand Opens – Davis Building

12:10 p.m. “Chopped” 4-H Youth Contest Judging – Orleanshub.com Stage

1 p.m. Registration Ends for Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull – Fair Office

1 to 3 p.m. P.Raising Kids Children’s Activity Center with face painting, crafts and art projects – Trolley Building

1:30 p.m. Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull. Pedal Tractor Course – Fair Office

4 p.m. Awards Ceremony and Crowning of the Fair Royalty – Curtis Pavilion

The “Blue Moon” was out Friday night at the fair.

4 p.m. Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull. Pedal Tractor Course – Fair Office

4 p.m. Chainsaw Chix sponsored by HealthE Links – Log Cabin

4:30 p.m. Pork Chop Review- Performing pigs and family fun. Sponsored by Tompkins Bank of Castile – Lawn South of the Knights Building

5 p.m. Steak Dinner: Sponsored by Renovation Lodge #97 Grand Lodge F&AM of NY Cost $12 – Curtis Pavilion

5 p.m. Latin-American dances by Grupo Cultural Latinos En Rochester – Orleanshub.com Stage

5:30 p.m. The Magic of Lee Germain and Judi – West end of Lartz Building

6 p.m. Set up for Band – Orleanshub.com Stage

6 p.m. Chainsaw Chix sponsored by HealthE Links – Log Cabin

6 to 8 p.m. P.Raising Kids Children’s Activity Center with face painting, crafts and art projects – Trolley Building

6:30 p.m. Market Auction Preview and Reception sponsored by Apex Clean Energy – Show Arena

Friday included fireworks at the fair.

6:30 p.m. Pork Chop Review- Performing pigs and family fun. Sponsored by Tompkins Bank of Castile – Lawn South of the Knights Building

7 p.m. “Mr Mustard” Beatles Tribute Band – Orleanshub.com Stage

7 p.m. Orleans County 4-H Market Auction sponsored by Apex Clean Energy – Show Arena

7:30 p.m. The Magic of Lee Germain and Judi – West end of Lartz Building

8 p.m. Chainsaw Chix sponsored by HealthE Links – Log Cabin

8:30 p.m. Pork Chop Review- Performing pigs and family fun. Sponsored by Tompkins Bank of Castile – Lawn South of the Knights Building

9 p.m. The Magic of Lee Germain and Judi – West end of Lartz Building

9 p.m. 4-H Dairy Cow Bingo – Cattle Building

Barry Flansburg serves as the emcee for the grease pole competition.

10 p.m. Buildings Close

10 p.m. Greased Pole Climbing Contest, Final Qualifying Round (Teams Must Pre-register at Fair Office) At Greased Pole

10:30 p.m. Greased Pole Championship. At Greased Pole

Only 2 of 4 teams can make it to the top

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Alex Graff is up on Nic Elliott’s shoulders as the team, Rough N Ready, tries to climb the grease pole on Thursday night at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.

The team wasn’t able to pull off the challenge. Four teams tried it, but only two made it.

“It’s slippery up there,” Graff said.

Brad Driesel of Rough N Ready gets close to the top. Before he could get there, the bottom of the team started to give out. A nearly full moon shows in this photo.

The A Team makes it to the top of the pole as a crowd of several hundred people gather at 10 p.m. to close out the fair. The A Team completed the challenge in 1 minute, 1 second. That was good for second place on Thursday.

Lusciously Lube was the fastest team on Thursday. They climbed the pole in 38.32 seconds.

Devan Freeman of Medina is on top of the grease pole for Lusciously Lube with Ben Martin second from the top, and Mike Murphy third from the top.

Many of the team members are from Medina. Some of them tried it last year and couldn’t get to the top.

“We didn’t make it last year so this was a redemption thing,” Ben Martin said.

Lusciously Lube advances to the finals on Saturday night.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Thursday was the finals for karaoke at the Orleans County 4-H Fair and Ayman Huzair, 21, captured first place and a $500 prize for his performance.

Huzair sang a medley of songs from Michael Montgomery, Bruno Mars and Cupid.

Huzair welcomed the crowd to join him on stage for the “Cupid Shuffle.” He just graduated from Brockport State College with a biochemistry degree and is applying to med school. His sisters Salma, 16, and Tamara, 13, both performed, and so did their brother Qasim, 11. The siblings took three of the top 5 spots.

Salma Huzair won second place and $250 for singing “Broken Hearted Girl.”

Rich Nolan, a past champion, was third with “Eight Second Ride.” Nolan, 25, of Medina said the contest, featuring 16 singers who qualified from Monday through Thursday, was a showcase of the singing talent in Orleans County.

“I just love performing for people,” Nolan said. “It’s just fun to have fun with the crowd.”

Olivia Redick of Kendall was fourth with “Girl Crush.”

Qasim Huzair proved a crowd favorite with his performance of “Sugar.” Qasim sang in public for the first time on Wednesday and transformed from a quiet kid into a high-energy singer.

Dawn Hoffmeister of Ridgeway sings “Still Got The Blues.” Hoffmeister, 54, said she has been singing karaoke for more than 20 years.

“I just love to sing,” she said. “It’s my passion.”

Lindsay Thurber sings “Gunpowder and Lead.”

Liz Osborn sings “Girl Crush” during the karaoke finals.

Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KNOWLESVILLE – There is a lot going on at the fair this week, and the annual event includes some new additions, including a flower show sponsored by Orleans County Master Gardeners.

Fairy Gardens (pictured above) are popular entries in the flower show, which is being held in the Lartz Building at the fairgrounds.

Orleans County 4-Her Rachel Gregoire, left, and Kate Hardner participated in the first-ever Master Gardener Floral Design Contest on Wednesday evening. The two were awarded trophies for their efforts. The contest was part of the flower show.

This clever and colorful container garden entry by Paula Bensley is part of the flower show. Paula used an old enamelware container to hold dishes and flower “soapsuds.” The flower show continues through Saturday.

Rebecca Semmel (standing, far left) headed to the Trolley Building on the 4-H Fairgrounds with her family to help churn and sample homemade butter and fresh, homemade rolls made by Jane Read (seated, far right). Also in the photo are Abigal Schrieber and Grace VanSlyke (seated).

Jane Read demonstrates butter making with a circa 1920-1930’s glass butter churn in the Trolley Building at the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Wednesday afternoon.

Lucky fairgoers had the chance to work the antique churn and sample the results on warm, fresh-baked rolls Jane had made in the Trolley Building kitchen. Here Jane is using a wooden paddle to gently press buttermilk out of the solid butter.

Orleans County 4-H Rabbit Raisers await while their entries are judged for Best of Show at the conclusion of the Rabbit Show at the Fair Tuesday evening while Mike Ross judges. Ross, a former Orleans County 4-H Rabbit Raiser, thanked show organizers for, “bringing me home” to judge the show. He said it was great to see the Rabbit Raiser program continue to flourish in Orleans County.

Orleans County 4-H Rabbit Raisers celebrate their Best of Show entries for the 2015 Rabbit Show at the Fair. On the right is Zach Albright who won Best of Show with his Satin Rabbit. On the left is John Gabalski who won Reserve of Show with his Californian rabbit. Looking on is Grace Gregoire who won Best of Show for cavies (guinea pig).

Photos by Tom Rivers – Sara Winter, a member of the Chainsaw Chix, creates a frog on a lily pad during the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Thursday. Winter has been a featured attraction at the fair the past six years.

Special Event Orleans County 4-H Fair Car Show, located in the Buzz
Hill Education Center lot.

Daily Feature: Orleans County Flower Show sponsored by Orleans County Master Gardeners. Display located in the Lartz Exhibit Building with daily presentations at 6 p.m.

Daily Feature: Meet Michael Keene, author of five books on hidden
history in New York, in the Lartz Building from 3-9 p.m.

8 a.m. Senior Council Stand Opens

9:30 a.m. Youth Ag Olympics Fun Activitie – South Lawn

9 a.m. Miniature Horse Show & Driving Competition – Carlos Marcello Arena

10 a.m. $5 Admission per car starts

10 a.m. All Buildings Open

10 a.m. Grand Master Showman Workshop – Starting in Show Arena

10:30 a.m. Tractor Driving Contest – South Parking Lot

Chantelle Kidney of Medina is pictured with a sheep that won best in show on Thursday.

12 p.m. Leaders’ Pie Stand Opens

12 to 2 p.m. Pottery by Megan Demonstrations with pottery wheel – Trolley Building

12:30 p.m. Dog Show, Agility Competition (Classes 23-30) – Show Arena

1 p.m. Story Time by Lee-Whedon Memorial Library of Medina – Trolley Building

1 to 3 p.m. P.Raising Kids Children’s Activity Center with face painting, crafts and art projects – Trolley Building

2 p.m. Story Time by Lee-Whedon Memorial Library of Medina – Trolley Building

3 to 10 p.m. Midway Rides of Utica $20 Unlimited Ride wristband – Midway

3 p.m. Horse Judging Contest – Carlos Marcello Arena

4 p.m. Royalty questionnaires due – Fair Office

Lillian Mathes, 10, of Barre tries to control her sheep during a livestock show on Thursday.

4 p.m. Chainsaw Chix sponsored by HealthE Links – Log Cabin

4 to 7 p.m. Pottery by Megan Demonstrations with pottery wheel – Trolley Building

4:30 p.m. Pork Chop Review- Performing pigs and family fun. Sponsored by Tompkins Bank of Castile – Lawn South of the Knights Building

5 p.m. Friday Night Fish Fry: Sponsored by Renovation Lodge #97. Cost: $9 Adult (Half portion $7) – Curtis Pavilion

5:30 p.m. Classic Car Cruise-In – Education Center Lot

Jane Kelly sings “At Last” during the karaoke finals on Thursday.

5:30 p.m. The Magic of Lee Germain and Judi – West end of Lartz Building

6 p.m. Set Up for Band – Orleanshub.com Stage

6 p.m. Registration Ends for Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull – Fair Office

6 p.m. Grand Master Showman – Livestock Areas

6 to 8 p.m. Pie Eating Contest: Sponsored by Brown’s Berry Patch (Register at Fair Office during the week) – Curtis Pavilion

6 p.m. Chainsaw Chix sponsored by HealthE Links – Log Cabin

6 p.m. Master Gardener Presentation: Everything Lavender – Lartz Building

6 to 8 p.m. P.Raising Kids Children’s Activity Center with face painting, crafts and art projects – Trolley Building

6:30 p.m. Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull. Pedal Tractor Course – Fair Office

These trained pigs are dressed up for the Pork Chop Review.

6:30 p.m. Pork Chop Review- Performing pigs and family fun
Sponsored by Tompkins Bank of Castile – Lawn South of the Knights Building

7 p.m. “The Who Dats” Classic rock of all eras, alternative and blues – Orleanshub.com Stage

7 p.m. Quadrille Horse Demonstration – Carlos Marcello Arena

7 p.m. Spanish/English Story Time by Agribusiness Child Development – Trolley Building

7:30 p.m. The Magic of Lee Germain and Judi – West end of Lartz Building

8 p.m. Chainsaw Chix sponsored by HealthE Links – Log Cabin

The sun sets Thursday in this photo showing the Carlos Marcello Arena for horses and the west end parking lot.

8:30 p.m. Pork Chop Review- Performing pigs and family fun. Sponsored by Tompkins Bank of Castile – Lawn South of the Knights Building

9 p.m. The Magic of Lee Germain and Judi – West end of Lartz Building

10 p.m. Buildings Close

10 p.m. Fireworks (Rain Date Saturday @ 10:00pm)

10:30 p.m. Greased Pole Climbing Contest (Teams must pre-register at Fair Office). At Greased Pole

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Camryn Eick, 9, of Albion holds two alpaccas – Stella, left, and Bella. She was getting ready to take them for a walk on Wednesday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.

Ruthie Kuipers, 5, of Byron competes in the small fry pedal tractor pull. She finished second in the 45 pounds and under division.

Nick Sacco, 13, of Albion competes in the dairy showmanship competition on Wednesday. Nick works part-time at the Neal family dairy farm and is showing one of their cows.

Ken Strickland, an investigator with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, competes in a new doughnut-eating contest at the fair. Every contestant ate more doughnuts than Strickland. Deputy Jeff Cole also competed in one of the doughnut-eating heats.

Kylie Poynter, right, and her sister Tiffany sing “Just A Kiss” by Lady Antebellum during karaoke at the fair.

Jeremy Neal gives the instructions for the grease pole competition to the BB Queens, a team with eight women and one man. They were successful in getting to the top of the pole on Wednesday night.

Blue, a horse owned by Michela Hanlon of Kendall, relaxes in its stall after a busy Wednesday of competitions.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Andrew Jones of the Troll Diggers makes it to the top of the grease-slathered pole on Wednesday night at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.

The Troll Diggers completed the climb in 26.2 seconds, the fastest of two teams on Wednesday. That qualified the Troll Diggers for Saturday’s championship, which will feature the fastest teams from qualifying rounds on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The grease pole caps off the fair at 10 p.m. each night from Wednesday through Saturday, and draws crowds of several hundred people.

The Troll Diggers were runner-ups in 2014. The team includes members mostly from Hamlin and Brockport.

“It’s a hoot,” said Sam Pak, one of the team members.

The Troll Diggers pose for a photo after conquering the grease pole. The team includes, front row, from left: Andrew Agent and Sam Pak. Back row: Nate Jenks, Andrew Jones, Neal Kruger, Jeff Ebel, Isaiah Jenks and Jonah Pak.

Taylor Soule (in white) makes her way up the grease pole. Cady Messmer is the second person up from the base. They are members of the BB Queens, a team of eight women and one man. The BB Queens debuted last year and advanced to the finals. This time they finished in 1:04 for second place.

Ricky Messmer makes it to the top of the grease pole. Taylor Soule, who recently got home from boot camp in the Air Force, was the third person up for the BB Queens.

Soule of Albion said she wanted to compete again because of the tight friendships on the team.

Messmer, 23, said he has played many sports and nothing compares to the thrill and sense of camraderie of climbing the grease pole.

The BB Queens include, front row: Brianna Dixon, Cady Messmer and Taylor Soule. Back row: Eboni Taylor, Hannah Hapeman, Ricky Messmer, Brooke Bensley, Halle Jurs, and Jessica Grimes.