My little ladies received honors in this year's Santa Cruz County Fair Poetry Contest and Vegetable Art Contest! Here is the article from the Register Pajaronian :
WATSONVILLE (9/17/2013)
For Jeff
Cooper, bringing his family of five to the Santa Cruz County Fair is
more than a fun way to spend a day. It is a tradition; an all-important
constant in his year he said is marked by hectic, day-to-day routine.
Cooper, 37, of Soquel, said he has been coming as long as he can remember.
"I look forward to this all year," he said. "It's the perfect family activity, and it has something for everyone."
Cooper was one of thousands who came to the six-day event that
started on Sept. 10 and ended Sunday. Officials were still tallying
attendance numbers Monday, but spokesman Steve Stagnaro said the total
revenue for the fair was up 11 percent from last year.
In addition, the vendors who sold food, souvenirs and other
merchandise made 20 percent more than they did last year, Stagnaro said.
He attributed the increases to growing confidence among consumers in a rebounding economy.
The fair also boosted its revenue from last year thanks to new
additions such as camel rides, turkey races, a bird show and a hay maze,
and to keeping traditions such as the sea lion show, the livestock
exhibits and the auctions.
That, and the food, which visitors say is their number two reason for attending the fair, behind the animals, Stagnaro said.
"It still has a feel of the quintessential county fair," he said. "It hasn't gotten too far from its roots."
Meanwhile, Tarynn Gibbs of Ben Lomand read her poem "The Mustang" at the fair's poetry reading and awards ceremony Sunday.
In addition to a blue ribbon, the 10-year-old's poem won the Lalo
Castro Award which is given by the Castro family each year honoring the
memory of the department's former chairman after selecting the poem they
feel best captures his spirit. Tarynn also rode in Saturday's Parade of
Champions as representative of the poetry department.
In addition, multiple awards were presented to Santa Cruz resident
Oscar Rodriguez, Aptos resident Jan Russell, and Watsonville resident
Rodger Bolles. Two Watsonville families were also showered with ribbons.
Marcus Schwager won a
prize for his poem "108 Green Valley" as his daughters Perle and Tansy
received ribbons for their poems in the 5th grade and under category.
Beatriz Loez received recognition for two poems while ribbons were also
given to her daughters Nirel in the middle school category and Celeste
in the high school division.
•••
Steve Bankhead contributed to this report.
