MONTE VISTA – This year’s San Luis Valley Area Fair featured a number of special 4-H contests, including a fashion revue, cake decorating contest, cupcake decorating contest, and robotics competition. A diverse group of 4-H youth, from around the valley competed in these contests and a select few took home top honors.

4-H members in the Clothing Construction and Artistic Clothing projects participated in the Fashion Revue contest on Tuesday, August 8.

Contestants were judged on style, poise, attitude and movement.

The Junior Grand Champion was Lacey Johnson, and Reserve Grand Champion went to Chloe Huffaker. Marissa Johnson took the Intermediate Grand Champion honors. The Senior Grand Champion was Kristine Hoffner, and Reserve Grand Champion was Devyn Mitchell.

In the Cake Decorating Contest, held on Wednesday, August 9, five members decorated cakes live on site. The event was a great demonstration of the skills involved in this project. Kristen David received Grand Champion for her flower-adorned tier cake, and Kristine Hoffner received Reserve Grand Champion for her fondant cake. Ada Pence was also recognized as the outstanding first year competitor for her ladybug cake.

In addition to watching the Cake Decorating Contest, spectators were invited to try their hand at decorating their own cupcake. Forty San Luis Valley residents competed in the contest and 10 were recognized for their outstanding designs.

Also on Wednesday, August 9, four 4-H Robotics teams competed in the Robotics Challenge competition. This year’s contest featured a climbing challenge where teams had to scale a skateboard ramp and attempt to push a weight up and down the ramp.

The Alamosa County team of Julie Wisener, Brice Wisener, Todd Adams and Alyssa Cordero took home the Grand Champion award. Reserve Grand Champion went to the Alamosa team of Damion and Ivhan Garcia. All four teams qualified for the state contest, which will be held in September in Pueblo.

For more information on the 4-H youth development program, visit the San Luis Valley website at http://sanluisvalley.colostate.edu, call 719-852-7381 or email [email protected]. 4-H is a cooperative effort between Colorado State University Extension and Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache counties.

Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.

Captions: Fashion Revue winners Kristine Hoffner, Devyn Mitchell, Marissa Johnson and Lacey Johnson show off their outfits and awards. Photos courtesy of CSU Extension Service

The Grand Champion winners of the 4-H Fair Robotics Challenge contest, Julie Wisener, Brice Wisener, Alyssa Cordero and Todd Adams show off their robot and ribbons.