County fair hosting baking contests

It’s not too late for Pend Oreille County bakers to get in on some blue-ribbon action.

Head to the fairgrounds next Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. to enter baked goods in the fair, which will be held Aug. 19-22 at 419152 Highway 20 in Cusick, Wash.

Fair officials also host a lineup of contests that will make you wish you lived in Pend Oreille County. Sorry, they already have a waiting list of judges, says Barb McGill, superintendent of baking at the fair.

The fair book is online or call the fair office at (509) 445-1367.

Kids’ Cupcake Decorating Contest – Aug. 20, 3 to 6 p.m. and again Aug. 21 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Everything kids need to decorate will be available in the home economics building. McGill says they have children as young as 3 enter. Boo Boo’s Bakery in Usk, Wash., is supplying all the cupcakes.

Fresh Huckleberry Pie Contest – Entries for this new competition are taken Aug. 21 from 9 a.m. until noon. Judging is at about 2 p.m. with the kids’ cupcake contest entries.

Monster Cookie Contest - Entries can be taken starting next Wednesday until noon on Aug. 20. The contest is open to children ages 12 and younger. The cookies can be from eight to 12 inches wide; judges don’t eat the cookies, which are judged on appearance, creativity and originality of decorations.

Fresh Apple Pie Contest – Open to kids and adults, the entries are taken from 9 a.m. until noon on Aug. 20. “The judging is around 2, if I can keep the judges out of the pie sampling that long!” McGill says.

Best of Chocolate – Also open to kids and adults. Entries are accepted Aug. 18 and the judging is done the next day. Entries must be a baked dessert made from scratch and entered with recipe and baking instructions.