How judges at the Big Butler Fair render decisions
FRANKLIN TWP — Swaddled into her mother’s chest, 21-day-old Sadie Johnston rests peacefully as her mother, Erin Johnston of Butler, carefully examines a number of photographs.
Johnston picks up the photo, her eyes slowly make her way up and down the still image. She appears focused, in an almost tranquil state that matches that of her sleeping child.
“The first step is figuring out which one catches your eye the most,” Johnston said, “which (photo) do you want to see a second time.
“If there is one that’s nice, but not really catching my eye, then that one gets put in its own pile.”
Johnston is one of the judges at this year’s Big Butler Fair. Every year the fair hosts a plethora of categories, from vegetables to arts and crafts where contestants have the ability to win ribbons, cash prizes and, in some categories, the chance to move on to the state fair.
“They judge everything from baked goods, canned goods, hay, grain,” said Julie Worst, co-superintendent at the fair. “Anything you would find a homestead on a farm to arts and crafts. If somebody made it, there’s probably a class.”
