Winner consumes eight ears of corn in fair contest

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Madison Flor, left, downed eight ears of corn to win the corn-on-the-cob eating contest at the Orleans County 4-H Fair to take first place. Next to her are Reagan Flor and Jericho Hartman.

KNOWLESVILLE – The second annual corn-on-the-cob eating contest was a highlight at opening night Monday of the Orleans County 4-H Fair.

Nine entrants signed up to participate, with Madison Flor, 26, winning by eating eight ears in the allotted time.

Youngest competitor was Miriam Richardson, 3, whose head could barely be seen above the table.

The contest is a new feature, having been started last year to replace the pie-eating contest. Corn was donated by Rush’s Farm Market in Carlton.

Nine contestants signed up to participate in a corn-on-the-cob eating contest Monday night at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. From left are Stephanie Taylor (not visible), Anthony Snell, Miriam Richardson, Robert Richardson, Lane Richardson, Madison Flor, Reagan Flor, Jericho Hartman and Mitch Schaffer (behind contest organizer Kayla Dengler).

This is just one of the changes in programming at the fair, according to Robert Batt, a life-long 4-H’er and director of Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension.

One change will be the elimination of fireworks this year. Instead, the fair is planning a laser light show, pending approval from the FAA, Batt said.

“Everybody has fireworks,” he said. “And they are disruptive to the animals, they pollute the air and they take up half of our main parking lot.”

The laser show will take place on two 30-foot screens, accompanied by music.

Also new is a tram to take elderly or disabled from the parking lot on Taylor Hill Road to attractions on the fairgrounds.

Another new feature will be professional wrestling on Saturday night, instead of a band.

“This is all included in the admission cost to park,” said Abby Smith, who is in charge of communications.