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Judges inspect fair entries

Before the Roosevelt County Fair officially opens to the public, a flurry of activity takes place behind the scenes as the various indoor entries are judged.

The home arts department was busy on Tuesday morning as the judging took place. Everything from quilts to baking to woodworking items were being judged to determine who was to be the winner in each category.

In the woodworking division, judge Wiley Teel was making the final decision on who would receive best of show for the category. Teel, a retired industrial arts teacher has judged the competition in years past and stated that he enjoyed getting to see the different pieces.

“Part of the fun of judging is seeing who’s in the community and who made the pieces,” Teel said.

When judging, Teel said that he looks for type and quality of construction of an item. Also the detail and the amount of effort that it took for the person to construct the item is part of his criteria, he said.

“It’s hard to decide how much weight to put on each factor to make the final decision,” Teel said.

Over in the Pavilion, Alicea Mullins was busy judging the many photographs that were entered in the photography division. This is the first time that Mullins has judged at the fair and she stated that she was enjoying the opportunity and having fun.

“It’s been interesting to see people’s interpretation of everything and what they see through the camera,” Mullins said.

Though there are several categories to be judged in the division, Mullins said that she looks for creativity in the photographs. She also looks for good exposure and uniqueness, she said.

In the 4-H open, judge Sheryl Abdill, had her hands full judging a variety of item’s that had been entered by Roosevelt County 4-H members. This is the first time that Abdill has judged in the 4-H category, though she has judged in the home arts division in years past, she said.

“I think everybody should judge at least once to see how hard it is,” Abdill said.

A creative person, Abdill said her judging is helped by the fact she’s created many of the same types of items herself and with her grandkids.

“When there are several pieces in a category it’s hard to narrow it down to the three best,” Abdill said.

The Roosevelt County Fair officially opens today at 8 a.m.

Today's schedule:

Fair Officially Opens

• 6:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.: New Mexico Christian Children’s Home Pork Chop Breakfast

• 8 a.m.-10 p.m.: Doors open on Home Arts and Youth Building

• 9 a.m.: Judge Rabbits, Pavilion

Judge Poultry, Poultry Barn

• 9-10:30 a.m.: Flower Show Entries, Youth Building

Judge Flower Show, Youth Building

• 1-10 p.m.: Doors open on Merchants Building

• 4 p.m.: Production Swine Contest, Show Arena

Register for kids Pig Chase, Show Arena

Roosevelt County Bred Swine Show, Show Arena

Booster Swine Show, Show Arena

Market Swine First Year Feeders, Show Arena

Kids Pig Chase, Show Arena

Market Swine Show, Show Arena

• 5 p.m.-12 a.m.: Carnival, Sun Valley Rides

• 8-11 p.m.: Kene Terry Band, Slab