Fun at the Northwest Montana Fair

West Glacier bull rider Beau Hill took first place at the Northwest Montana Fair’s PRCA rodeo on Saturday with 91 points. Hill rode a reddish-brown bull named Whiskey Jack, a bull he was familiar with. He claimed $3,068 in prize money.

Parker Breding, of Edgar, was the only other cowboy to complete a ride at the three-day rodeo and came in second with 88 points. He took home $2,614 in prize money.

Jill Lyford’s huckleberry pie won the $300 grand prize in this year’s Great American Pie Contest.

Lexi Murer, Reggie Sapa, McKinlie Murer and Dylan Fix were the big winners in the Mutton Bustin’ competition.

Demolition Derby winners included Heat 2, Second Place, Chris Cheff, Columbia Falls; and ATV, Second Place, Brian Larson, Columbia Falls.

Open Class and 4-H/FFA competitions at the 2012 Northwest Montana Fair kicked off Aug. 13. Months of hard work paid off for competitors who earned Best of Show, Grand Champion, Reserve Champion and other honors.

More than 200 steers, hogs and lambs were auctioned at the 2012 Northwest Montana Fair’s Market Stock Sale on Saturday, grossing nearly $259,000.

Local 4H and FFA members sold a total of 26 steers, 132 hogs and 48 lambs to local businesses and residents. This year’s stock sale grossed about $7,000 less than last year’s sale, although average price per pound was higher in all three categories this year.

Beef sold for an average of $2.61 per pound, up six cents per pound over last year. Hogs sold for an average of $4.39 per pound, up 20 cents per pound. Lambs sold for an average of $4.60 per pound, up three cents per pound. 

Among this year’s champion animals was the Reserve Champion market lamb raised by Lauren Falkner, of Columbia Falls. It was purchased by Les Schwab Tire in Whitefish for $1,164.50. The lamb weighed 137 pounds and sold for $8.50 per pound.

The following Columbia Falls area competitors took honors in the various categories:

Photography – Open Class

DSLR Camera/SLR Camera, Adults (18-59 years), Grand Champion, Dyannea Martin, Columbia Falls

Professional (all ages), Grand Champion, Valerie McIntyre, Columbia Falls

Photograph, Best of Show, Dyannea Martin; Reserve, Best of Show,Clarissa Jackson, Columbia Falls; Judge’s Choice, Clarissa Jackson, Columbia Falls

Dogs – Open Class

Sub-Novice B Obedience, Reserve Champion, Steven Wright, Columbia Falls

Home Arts & Needlework – Open Class

Child (ages 10 & under), Best Article, Maggie McKean, West Glacier

Crafts – Open Class

Woodturning Items, Best of Show, Joe Bowers, Columbia Falls

Wood Carving, Best of Show, Rich Baginski, Martin City

Woodcraft, Best of Show, Nicolas Ream, Columbia Falls

Home Culinary – Open Class

Pickles, Best of Show, Anni Sutkus, Columbia Falls

Sections 35-41 Adult, Judge’s Choice, Janice McDaniel, Columbia Falls

Rabbits & Small Animals – Open Class

Any Other Breed, Full Arch Type, Best of Breed, Melissa Johnson, Coram

Overall, Best of Show, Melissa Johnson, Coram

Rabbits & Small Animals – 4-H/FFA

Standard Rex, Best of Breed, Tierra Johnson, Coram

Any Other Purebred, Full Arch Type, Best of Opposite Sex, Melissa Johnson, Coram

Rabbit, Best of Show, Melissa Johnson, Coram

Best Poster, Senior, Melissa Johnson, Coram

Senior Showman, Rabbit, Reserve Champion, Melissa Johnson, Coram

Home Economics – 4-H/FFA

Level 1, Best of Show, Kiaunna Green, Columbia Falls

Crocheting, Best of Show, Sarah Johnson, Coram

Agriculture & Horticulture – Open Class

Beans, Junior, 14 and under, Best of Show, Spenser Kendall, Columbia Falls

Garden Creation, Reserve Champion, Eloise McKeon, West Glacier

A Minute To Win It Coloring Contest – Open Class

Ages 6-9, Winner, Cheyanne Johnston, Columbia Falls

Ages 10-13, Winner, Elaina Wagner, Columbia Falls

Beef, Dairy Cattle, & Goat Contests

Beef – Open Class

Bull, Grand Champion, Isabell Johnson, Columbia Falls

Goats – 4-H/FFA

4-H Best Nubian in Show, Eric Eberhart, Columbia Falls

Sheep – Open Class

Best Showman, Children 8 and under, Cheyanne Johnston, Columbia Falls

Sheep – 4-H/FFA

Market Lamb, Reserve Champion, Lauren Falkner, Columbia Falls

Lamb Market Livestock Show – 4-H/FFA

Market Lamb, Reserve Champion, Lauren Falkner, Columbia Falls

Top 10, Lindsay Strouse, Columbia Falls

Poultry – 4-H/FFA

Large Breed Chicken, Best of Show, Sarah Johnson, Coram

Senior Poster Contest, Second Place, Melissa Johnson, Coram

Junior Poster Contest, Second Place, Sarah Johnson, Coram

Senior Novice Showman, Poultry, Grand Champion, Tierra Johnson, Coram

Poultry – Open Class

Pigeon, Best of Show, Spencer Kendall, Columbia Falls; Reserve Best of Show, Zack Kendall, Columbia Falls

Senior Showmanship, Reserve Champion, Melissa Johnson, Coram