The Westmoreland County Fair officially opens today, but the fairgrounds were still a flurry of activity on Thursday with people entering their creations, from clothes to wine, in the 4-H competition, and groups setting up the carnival and their food booths. Carole Hellein, who helps with the entries every year, manned the canned goods table Thursday. “I help every year because I enjoy it,” said Hellein, as she registered everything from pickles and relishes to blueberries and dried bananas. Although the baked goods seem to have the most entries every year, the canned goods entries aren’t too far behind. “We get quite a few canned goods here,” said Hellein, adding that the canned relishes, pickles and sauces are judged by tasting and the others are judged pretty much on appearance. Some of the criteria that the judges look at are the uniformity of size, the food arrangement, adequate head space, color and visual quality of the food. Sonja Salvatore of Jeannette was one of those people who entered canned goods, and they weren’t just any canned goods. They were a little bit different, including a jar of chutney, piccalilli and blueberry conserve. She first started entering canned goods at the fair in 2000 and immediately took the best in show ribbon for her zucchini relish. “This is my third year and it’s the big thing in my life,” said Salvatore. “It’s the thrill of seeing how many ribbons I can get.” Marilee Butler of Weltytown also likes getting ribbons, more so than whatever money she gets for placing. She has been entering quilted items and cross stitching for about 10 years. “I’m here more or less for the ribbons,” said Butler, who added that she enters everything that she gets finished throughout the year. “You can’t even wait to come up the next day to see how you did,” she said. According to Nevada Hutter, judging day is the most hectic day at the fair, but entry day runs a close second. Hutter and many of her relatives volunteer their time every year to help with entries. Thelma Heid is one of those relatives. She has been taking clothing entries at the fair for at least 45 years. “I just enjoy it,” said Heid. “It’s just neat to see what people can do. The dresses that some people can make are just amazing.” Jim Baker, the new Westmoreland County Fair manager, said planning for this year’s fair has gone well, but it’s nothing that he isn’t used to. Before taking on the responsibility of fair manager, Baker sat on the board of directors for 11 years. “I sort of knew what I needed to do,” said Baker. “I’ve enjoyed doing this and we’ve been working hard to make this year’s fair the best fair ever.” Some of the things done to try and accomplish that have been to implement a one price at the gate, which includes everything but arena activities and to pave all the barns. “I think that will be a big draw for people who are in wheelchairs or have to push baby buggies, because the barns used to have sawdust in them,” Baker added. They’ve also moved the Sit-A-Spell stage to the back midway. “We’re hoping everything works out, and if the weather cooperates, we can do it,” said Baker.

---

Copyright ©2026— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---