Exploring the Oregon State Fair: Contests
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Wonderful and Wacky Competition
People will do some pretty strange things in the name of competition. Life in general and reality television in specific provide ample evidence of that. The Waffle Dog Eating Contest shown below is just another prime example. Here are more images highlighting competition at the State Fair.
Left: An advertisement announces the Waffle Dog Eating Contest at the State Fair. (Oregon State Archives, State Fair Records) Right: Seventeen-year-old Russell Grelinger of Salem wins the 1979 Waffle Dog Eating Contest at the State Fair by consuming 11.5 of the batter wrapped hot dogs in the timed event. (Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center)
Boys compete in the 1974 Pie Eating Contest at the State Fair as Ronald McDonald calls the play by play. (Oregon State Archives, State Fair Photos)
Competitors race to get the most milk from their cow in the allotted time during the Cow Milking Contest at the State Fair. (Oregon State Archives, State Fair Photos)
Girls prepare to compete in the Watermelon Eating Contest at the State Fair. (Oregon State Archives, State Fair Photos)
A 4-H boy holds the ribbons for his champion cow in a 1997 livestock competition at the State Fair. The winning cow seems most interested in licking the ribbons. (Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center)
Red Riding Hood and her dressed up pet "wolf" team up as 4-H contestants in the Dress-up Dog Competition in the 1979 State Fair. (Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center)
This nostalgic artwork advertises the Amateur Beer Competition at the 2001 State Fair. (Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center)
Women view quilts entered in a Home Economics Contest at the 1970 State Fair. (Oregon State Archives, State Fair Photos)