the fair!
The most exciting time of the year in Armada is the Armada Fair, and a great time was had by all who attended.
Thousands of people from all over Macomb County and beyond came up to enjoy a classic country fair, with a colorful midway provided by Big Rock Amusements, lots of animals, and exciting events in the grandstand.
The usual midway food selections were available, including deep fried Oreos, turkey legs and fresh cut fries. Numerous organizations also had food trucks offering a variety of selections, such as the Armada Lions Club’s Road Kill Sandwiches.
The highlights of the fair included performances by past American Idol winner Scotty McCreery, a demolition derby, a figure 8 race, a bump and run race, the Super Kicker Rodeo, and tractor pulls.
Numerous 4-H groups showed off their finest livestock.
Many of them had a chance to sell their livestock at the Youth Market Livestock Auction on Friday.
Rabbits, poultry, pigs, goats, sheep and beef cattle were for sale, with the rhythmic chant of the auctioneer echoing through the barn.
The major highlight of the fair was the presence of the Budweiser Clydesdales.
These majestic horses paraded through downtown Armada twice this week and there were plenty of opportunities to pose for pictures with them.
Major competitions included the homemaker of the year, where contestants must submit 22 different items in such categories as domestic arts, culinary arts, fine and folk art, food preservation and floriculture and a written essay.
The 2019 Homemaker of the Year is Donna Pack of Richmond.
Her entries included several pieces of folk art, oil paintings and a giant pin cushion.
“It’s a lot of work, but it means something and I know I’m an influence to my granddaughter and other women,” she said.
The 2019 Youth Achiever of the Year is Zoey Robertson of Emmett.
The Senior Citizen of the Year is Erma Wuestenberg.
Volunteers of the Year are Amanda Folske and Kelly Strunk
The 2019 Red Star Yeast winners are Ben Almada in the youth category and Martha Shirmacher in the Adult category.
Almada won for his sesame bread. Despite a broken finger making him prepare it with one hand, it paid off.
“It was amazing when it came out of the oven,” he said.
Jessica Marsack won first place in the King Arthur Flour Youth competition, and Rhonda May won first place in the King Arthur flour Adult competition.
Also present was 2018’s Homemaker of the State Pamela Lein of Elk Rapids.
“I’ve had a very interesting year traveling the state of Michigan visiting fairs and festivals and bringing awareness to the homemakers’ program,” she said.
Lein had the honor of crowning Tamithy Jackson of Milan as this year’s Homemaker of the State.
Jackson was the 2018 Homemaker of the Year at the Monroe County Fair.
She is a superintendent for the Monroe County Fair, is a 4-H club leader for the London Fancy Farmers and volunteers for Girl Scouts.
