Blue ribbons abound: Summer 4H families and winter skiers shine at county fairs

Retired Alpine Ski Racer from Nagano and Salt Lake Olympics' kiddos in 4H and in Park City Ski and Snowboard. Kodiak (L), Lomax (R). Photo: Tasha (Nelson) McCrank

OAKLEY, Utah — Amid the thrill of the demolition derby, the excitement of the rodeo and the scent of corndogs, visitors at the Summit and Wasatch County Fairs had the chance to witness the best of local talent at the 4H showings and Open Exhibits. 

Held at the start of the month, the Wasatch County Fair in Heber City and the Summit County Fair in Oakley offered a blend of entertainment and education, drawing visitors from Park City and beyond. The fairs showcased the diverse skills nurtured by local 4H programs, which are managed by the Utah State University Extension Office in Logan.

Horse showing is a staple throughout these communities, but there’s so much more on offer for families who are reveling in the Blue Ribbon successes of this year’s County Fairs.

While horse showing remains a beloved tradition in these communities, the fairs offered so much more for families to enjoy. This year’s exhibits featured an array of talents, including robotics, macrame, metalwork, leathercraft, jewelry, floristry, glasswork, sculpture, pottery and textiles/clothing. Some youth even participated in classes on table setting and Thank You letter writing, further broadening their skill sets.

A highlight of the fairs each year is the Jr. Livestock sale, where young participants proudly display and sell the animals they’ve raised. Among them were Lomax, 9, her brother Kodiak, 11, and Sadie, 14—children of retired, 2x alpine ski Olympian Tasha Nelson McCrank. When they’re not competing on the Park City Ski and Snowboard Team, the McCrank kids are busy showing, shearing, and selling sheep at their County Fair in the Midwest.

The siblings spoke to TownLift about their experiences, sharing that while fair season involves a lot of hard work—washing, shearing, and training the animals, and dealing with the challenges of transportation—it’s all worth it for the time spent with their grandparents and the sense of accomplishment. 

All three kids won blue ribbons at this year’s fair. When little Lomax was asked how she felt winning a blue ribbon, she told TownLift, “That I did a good job.”

Even as the current season wraps up, the family is already looking forward to participating in next year’s fair, eager to continue the tradition.

The fair spirit extends beyond Utah’s borders. Wyn Rigg, a former U.S. Ski Team manager and current canning enthusiast, recently showcased her culinary talents at her state fair on the West Coast. Her strawberry rhubarb vanilla jam earned a second place, while her dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, and jalapeno jelly each won blue ribbons.