Seymour, WI — The Outagame County Fair this year was not only a tradition upheld but also a redemption story for local talent Susan Manzke. Earlier mishaps with her photo entries were overshadowed by her camera capturing the mischievous charm of her dog, Stella, leading her to a grand championship in the open class photography division.
Manzke, a dedicated amateur photographer, and craft enthusiast had anticipated the fair for months. Despite hoping to organize her myriad contributions – photographs, watercolors, acrylics, an alcohol ink tile, and even a rag-quilted purse – ahead of the deadline, she found herself scrambling at the last minute to adhere her chosen photos to display boards.
In her haste, she unintentionally violated a rule of the competition by misplacing the titles on her photo boards. Initially, placing these labels in the lower center, rather than the required upper left side, landed her in hot water and nearly disqualified her entries.
While she prepared for disappointment, arriving amid the nerves and excitement of the fair’s energetic atmosphere, an unexpected turn of forgiveness by the judging panel saved her shots at victory. The fair’s judge, faced with numerous entries with the same title-placement error, chose to overlook this mistake to maintain a competitive field.
“This decision was not easy,” remarked the judge during the competition. “Ultimately, it would be unfair to exclude so many due to a common oversight. It’s a lesson for all – always double-check the submission rules.”
Thankfully for Manzke, each of her entries, spared from exclusion, found their place among the vibrant menagerie of creative exhibits. By the end of the day, her entries garnished her a handful of second and fourth places. But the highlight was yet to come.
It was Stella’s snapshot that truly captured the heart of the competition. This particular photo earned top marks in the animal category, outshining competitors and eventually leading Stella’s charming pose to be crowned the grand champion.
The anticipation built throughout the fairgrounds as participants and spectators alike awaited the announcement of the top prizes. When Stella’s image was finally declared the grand winner, Manzke’s joy was tinged with nostalgia. Four years prior, a younger Stella had fetched the same prestigious recognition as a playful puppy.
The victory at this year’s fair underscored a poignant theme of perseverance and learning. Recognizing her past errors, Manzke was already planning for the next year, promising herself to avoid previous mistakes, though humorously conceding that new ones might emerge.
As the fair concluded, Manzke didn’t lose a moment to prepare for next year; she diligently captured moments of this year’s fair, ensuring she had a fresh batch of memories and potential entries ready for future contests.
Reflecting on the turbulent yet triumphant event, Manzke mused on the invaluable lessons learned not just about adhering to competition rules but also about resilience and the joyful surprises that challenging experiences bring. As participants packed away their artwork and ribbons, Manzke’s story remained a celebrated testament to the spirit of local fairs as catalysts for community and creativity.