EMMIE BOESE
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Lieutenant Governor David Toland was on the fairgrounds Thursday for the annual Governor's cookie jar competition.
Sarah Frye of Abilene was the winner of the competition and presented her jar to Toland at the Domestic Arts building. Contestants are required to decorate a themed cookie jar and fill it with a variety of cookies.
While visiting the fair this week, Toland said he is impressed with improvement that have been made to the fairgrounds, especially the renovation of the House of Capper.
"I love the House of Capper," said Toland. "High quality architecture there. It's a central gathering place. I was here Sunday night and was able to listen to a couple of brass quartets playing and so having a venue like that's centrally located that looks so good I think is part of how you have high quality experiences at the fair."
Toland also said that he's impressed with the number of opportunities the fair has for agriculture education and displays.
"Whether people have a background in agriculture or not, they come to the fair and you can see everything from a 233-pound pumpkin to a sow and little piglets that are 30 minutes old," Toland said. "I think it's important right now when you have a lot of kids in our country that don't know where their food comes from, that they are able to come here and have that exposure."
Toland also presented several related awards which included the Grand Champion Quilt Competition. This year's winner was Patty Nelson of Manhattan.
A full list of this year's exhibit winners is available at kansasstatefair.com.
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