Rutger Daigle, 8, of Chatham, New Hampshire, shows his mother, Kathy Daigle, the blue ribbon he and his mother won during the parent/child baking contest at the Fryeburg Fair on Sunday. 

FRYEBURG — The 167th Fryeburg Fair, Maine’s Blue Ribbon Classic, kicked off Sunday with its much loved staples of fried food, rides and frisky animals.

Events included the Firemen’s Muster, a pig scramble and sheepdog trials.

In the Agricultural Exhibition center, 16 decedent dessert entries prepared by parent/child teams were tasted and judged.

“It allows for some bonding with parents; it’s something to do together,” said Sue Black, a fair employee of over 30 years. “And once the judging is over, the desserts are sold and the proceeds go back into the community.”

For Grace Noll, 10, of Auburn, it was preparation for her career as a chef.  All contestants had to prepare a dish using Oreos, and Grace said it was tough for her and her mother, Carey, to come up with a unique recipe. 

“We used a recipe we use a lot at home and just kind of modified it,” said Carey Noll. They made “chewy mint Oreo brownie cookies,” which won fourth place.

Mckala Pelletier, 12, of Titon, New Hampshire, made cookies and cream cupcakes that won second place. It was Mckala’s 10th ribbon  from the fair this year — with her stepmother, Christina. The two competed in the Home Industries and Fancy Work contest, and both won first place in their categories.

“We’re pretty competitive in our household,” Christina said.

Serena Di Nucci, 8, of Fryeburg baked Oreo cupcakes with her mother, Mary.  Serena said she has been cooking for about four years.

“She’s really progressed in the kitchen,” her father, Michael said. “She can now make her own scrambled eggs.”

New this year is a raffle for a custom-built chicken coop on display near the Poultry Building. The winning ticket will be drawn Sunday, and the coop can be delivered within a 50-mile radius.

On Wednesday at 5 p.m., fair President Roy Andrews said officials will assemble “the world’s largest” display of yoked animals (steer and oxen) for a group photo.  They expect to have over 500 animals in the picture.

Upgrades to the fair this year include new box stalls in the horse and pony barns, transportation to and from parking and camping areas, and a new Wi-Fi building in Fairview camping, across from the main gate.

Monday will feature the 50th annual Woodsmen’s Field Day starting at 9 a.m. Other attractions include horse pulling, animals shows, a whoopie pie contest and an anvil throw.

For a complete schedule of events go to: fryeburgfair.org/fair-info/event-schedule.

emarquis@sunmediagroup.net

Sylvia Lee, 11, of Newcastle and her mother, Courtney Lee, wait for the two judges to sample 16 recipes during the parent/child baking contest at the Fryeburg Fair on Sunday. Lee and her mom entered their “Oreo monkey bread” in the contest. 

Grace Noll, 10, of Auburn, right, Mckala Pelletier, 12, of Tilton, New Hampshire and Rutger Daigle, 8, of Chatham, New Hampshire stand with judges Delaney Whitley and Cindy Gushee after the parent/child baking contest at the Fryeburg Fair on Sunday. Noll placed fourth. 

Child Winners of Parent/Child Baking Contest

1. Rutger Daigle, 8, of Chatham, NH

2. Mckala Pelletier, 12, of Tilton, NH

3. Alysha Simpson, 15, Sanford

4. Grace Noll, 10, of Auburn

5. Philip Green, 16, of Sebago

Judge Delaney Whitley of North Conway, New Hampshire, samples one of 16 entries in the parent/child baking contest at the Fryeburg Fair on Sunday. Each recipe had to include Oreo cookies. 

Cate Davis, 9, of West Bath watches judge Delaney Whitley of North Conway, New Hampshire, sample one of 16 entries in the parent/child baking contest at the Fryeburg Fair on Sunday. Davis and her mother, Lindsay, made Oreo cupcakes with butter cream Oreo frosting.