There is a contest for everyone at the fair

Milking cows. Baking pies. A new hotdish. Eating. Hula hoops. Quilt blocks.
Whatever you like to do, there is probably a contest related to it at the Dodge County Fair.
Contest activities get under way on Wednesday, July 17, with a milking cow competition scheduled for 3 p.m.
On Thursday, July 18, there will be two hula hoop contests, one at 12 noon and a second at 3 p.m. And a food eating competition is set for 4 p.m. the same.
These contests don’t really require a lot of preparation unless you want to practice a bit at home before trying the activities at the fair. But several of the contests do require a little bit of work before the fair begins.
In this area, the hotdish contest is new, while the pie baking and quilt squares are returning events.
Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes but there are probably nearly that many hotdish recipes out there so now is your chance to let your creation shine.
The hotdish competition is scheduled for 12 noon on Friday, July19, at the Free Stage across from the 4-H Building.
There is no charge to enter but the Fair Board is requesting a non-perishable food item be donated for the local food shelf. There are no age requirements to enter but all hotdishes must be entered in the name of the person who actually made it. Registration begins at 11 a.m. at the stage.
There are a couple of rules for the entries.
All must contain a protein, a dairy or canned soup ingredient, a starch and a Minnesota Fair ingredient.
They all must be served warm or hot and be in a disposable or non-returnable pan. The cook or a representative of that person must also be present with the hotdish. And yes, they must be edible. Any hotdish that is  questionable will be disqualified.
You also need to provide the name of the hotdish and have a written recipe of it.
There will be three local judges who will judge the hotdishes. Judging will be on taste, originality, presentation and ingredients.
The effort will be worth it because if your hotdish is declared the winner you will receive a grand champion ribbon and trophy, two grandstand tickets, a gift card and the recipes will be displayed on the Dodge County Fair’s media sites. And most importantly, you will have bragging rights for the Best Hotdish in Dodge County for the next year.
Second place will receive a Reserve Championship Ribbon and two Dairy Malt tickets.
Now, if hotdishes are not your forte, perhaps pie baking is.
In this case you are invited to enter the Pie Baking Competition at 11 a.m., again at the Free Stage.
Like the hotdish competition, there is no fee to enter but a donation of a non-perishable food item is requested.
There are two categories of pies. First is a fruit pie where the primary filling is fruit. The second is a pumpkin pie.
Again, there are a few rules. One pie per category is allowed though a baker can enter a pie in each category. The baker must be present at the competition or have a representative there.
And, of course, professional bakers cannot compete.
All pies must be made from scratch and be delivered in a disposable or non-returnable pan.
Entrants are also giving the fair permission to take their photo and use it for future promotional purposes including the fair website, Facebook and Instagram.
Three local residents will judge the pies on the basis of overall appearance, taste, crust color, texture, doneness and flavor and filling consistency, color and flavor.
 The overall pie champion will receive a glass pie plate and gift card. First place in each category will receive a Grand Champion ribbon, two grandstand tickets and two Dairy Malt tickets. The second place winner in each category will receive a Reserve Champion ribbon and two Dairy Malt tickets.
The Quilt Square contest is different in that squares must be brought to the Creative Activities Building from 12 noon to 8 p.m. on Entry Day, July 16.
Quilt Block kits may be picked up at the Kasson Variety Store. There is a cost of $10 per kit.
Blocks must be 12-1/2 inches square, use the three fat quarters in the kit to make block and use all three fabrics but not add any extra fabric. Blocks should not be pre-washed.
The quilt blocks will be judged and displayed in the Creative Activities Building. At the end of the fair the blocks, which become the property of the Fair Board, will be pieced and quilted and the quilt will be auctioned or raffled off at the 2020 Dodge County Fair.
The maker of the first place block will receive $25; second place $20 and third place $15. The People’s Choice winner will receive a gift basket.