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Stay informed, stay empowered: invest in the journalism that invests in you. Ingredients: 1 tried-and-true cookie recipe 3 dedicated judges with a taste for fun A handful of eager local bakers 1 fairground, filled with small-town spirit A generous spoonful of chocolate chips A Dash of competition Many Sprinkles of laughter Instructions: Step One: Preheat the Fairgrounds.Each July, the Winneshiek County Fair heats up with friendly competition, offering open-call contests ranging from apple pies to LEGO building. These events invite community members of all ages to come together and celebrate creativity, tradition, and a whole lot more than just baked goods. Step Two: Fold in Local Flavor.This year's Chocolate Chip Cookie blue ribbon went to Kristin Fankhauser of Decorah, who's been entering the contest for three years. This time, her cookies rose to the top. "It's a Betty Crocker recipe," she shared. "But I've learned a few things over time. Use real butter, and find that perfect chocolate chip ratio." The victory brought both a ribbon and a $25 cash prize. "It's a fun way to earn a little fair spending money," she added with a laugh. Step Three: Mix Well with Friendly Judges.The cookies were evaluated by a local trio of jolly judges: Morgan Fechner and Lydia Cunningham of Decorah Bank and Trust, and Tim McConnell of MiEnergy Cooperative, this year's cookie contest sponsor. Their criteria? "Taste is number one," Morgan and Tim emphasized. Lydia agreed but added, "I want the chocolate chips to be soft and a little melty." Morgan enjoys a touch of salt in a good cookie. Lydia? "I don't like that," she quipped, sparking laughter. Tim, a first-time judge, was happy to join the panel. "[I have] no experience, I just like cookies," he joked. As for leftovers? "We take them to work and enjoy!" Step Four: Let Community Rise.Behind the scenes, Fair Contest Director Ruth Hageman oversees the logistics of the contests and values their significance. "These contests help bring people down to the fair who aren't just animal-oriented," she explained. "Agriculture includes the ingredients needed to make pies and cookies and everything else. It all comes together." Step Five: Serve with Smiles.Contest results will continue to be posted throughout fair week. While the competition is lighthearted, these events also honor time-honored skills passed down through generations, neighbors sharing stories over homemade goods, and the ongoing creation of a community recipe that only gets better with time. Like any good recipe, it's one worth returning to year after year. Stay ahead of the curve! Subscribe to free newsletters for exclusive insights, local trends and analysis delivered straight to your inbox.

Support your local businesses

A Recipe for Community at the Winneshiek County Fair