LAKEPORT >> All the world’s a stage, yet the most exciting melodrama this Labor Day Weekend is the 77th Lake County Fair focused on this year’s theme, Barn in the USA., a nod to million-selling rocker, Bruce Springsteen, yet instead of the “Boss,” Lake County local heroes, the Andy Rosoff Trio were kicking out the jam on the Gazebo Stage.
In Fritch Hall fine artists and photographers displayed a deep well of photographic skills on, acrylic, oil painting, pen and ink, charcoal as well as pencil sketches. Earning a Blue Ribbon for a stunning photograph of a Yosemite sunset in the Open, Fine Arts/Color Photography category was Russell Bishop. He is a local freelance photographer, and sometime Record-Bee contributor. “It was great, not my first, but it was great to see something like that,” he said. As Bishop drove across a compact arched bridge, a simmering reflection of trees in the creek below captivated his gaze.
“I thought that would take a pretty picture so, I walked down to where the creek was,” he recalled of the October 2023 photo-op. “I liked the reflection of the tree canopy in the creek, but I wasn’t certain how it would turn out, but when I saw it, I liked it.” But Bishop was confident it had potential as a Fair ribbon contender. “Just in general, I really got into capturing the reflection pictures, he said. “I also produce photos (with Nikon D750) at the Fairgrounds Speedway and will cover the Grandstand boat races on Saturday.” Bishop was recognized in the Open, the Fine Arts, Advanced Amateur Color Photography category.
Over at the Small Animal pen, Aleah Odom was cradling her Buff Orpington (clean legged) chicken, ‘Zelda’ showing off her wingspan for a small gathering of patrons. “Raising a chicken is easy,” Aleah said. “She eats chicken feed, but I give her banana or strawberry slices, sometimes. I’m excited about winning the blue ribbon, It’s my first one. I will be selling my meat birds, ‘Happy’ and ‘Sweet P.’ on Saturday.”
At the Little Theater, were Clothing & Textiles as well as the home arts. Earning a Blue Ribbon for Junior Baked Foods was Leah Woita for her lattice blackberry pie. First place for deciduous fruit (pears) was Jocelyn Panella. A Blue Ribbon went to Bonnie Kite for fruit and pod vegetable. A Blue Ribbon was awarded to Emmy Lou Hayes for Junior Ag Vine Crop. First Place for their Sauvignon Blanc went to Engine House. Meanwhile, a Blue Ribbon was awarded to Rivers Ambrose for his melons in 9-Years Old-and younger group.
At the Little Theater, was the proprietor of, That’s a wrap, Sonoma!, Natassia Valjean Wholesale Crystals entrepreneur offering a variety of decorative art and jewelry for sale. She no longer operates a brick-and-mortar shop but works mostly works fairs and farmer’s markets. Valjean was selling children’s rings she produces herself, with amethyst and rose quartz settings. “I’ve been making rings for four years,” she said. “I began selling on Facebook. It’s how I got started in business.”
Back at Fritch Hall, in the Junior Fine Arts, Photography, the 9- to-13-year-old group, exhibitor Abbigael Malley, earned a Blue Ribbon for a breath-taking photo, “Crab Dinner” with a shot capturing a sea bird diving to secure its seafood dinner.
Also, on hand just before closing was 8th Grade student photographer Bentley Carter, checking out her competition. In August 2023, Bently and her family visited San Francisco for a day at Oracle Park. Bently who plays on her school’s softball team, Mountain Vista, Kelseyville is also a member of the Junior Giants and was invited by the team along with other Northern California youth to demonstrate their skills at Oracle Park. Yet along with the excitement of working on her ball handling skills, she was inspired to produce a drawing of the San Francisco Bay in colored pencil. Her efforts produced a Blue Ribbon sketch. “It’s the first time I produced something for the Fair,” Bentley said. “I have a sketchbook at home. I like to draw cats, dogs, houses and mansions. I am also raising market goats, ‘Hog’ and ‘Fruit Punch.’ One weighs 103 pounds and the other, 97 pounds. I am now completing my fifth year of raising an animal in 4H.”
