Local Residents & Fire Departments Recognized

At The 57thBridgewater Country Fair

This past weekend may have started with rain and mud, but the Bridgewater Country Fair kicked off anyway on Route 133. By the start of the Firefighters Parade, which begins the fair every year,  there were still small rolling streams of water lining the roads, but the participating volunteer fire fighters from around the state walked, drove or road in the parade for 6:45 p.m.

The Newtown Underwater Search & Rescue, the Botsford Fire/Rescue Company, and the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company participated in the Firefighters Parade this year.

The Bridgewater Country Fair has been providing attractions like farm animals, exhibits, entertainment, rides and food for 57 years.

The fair started Friday, August 15, and lasted until August 17. It was sponsored by the all volunteer fire company, and all of the people at the fair were volunteers. Even the food was distributed by volunteers, because there are no food vendors at the fair.

The Botsford Fire/Rescue Company won Best Appearing Company 15 Members Or Less, and the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company won Best Appearing Women’s Auxiliary and Best Overall Fire Unit.

Local residents brought back winning trophies, acknowledgements and prizes.

Carole Collins took first in the Round Yellow Beans category of the Senior Division Vegetable and Fruit Exhibit.

Jesse and Michael Cabral took first place in the rabbit exhibit.

In the photography field, Aaron Cox got the Best in Show in the Senior Digital Imaging Division, and Azureen Erdman won first place in the Senior Black and White Division.

In the Needlework Division, Ken Erdman won the following ribbons: second place Division 1 Sewing; second place Division 7 Quilted; first place Class 5 Machine Quilted; first place Division 7 Quilted.

Cindy Erdman won the following ribbons: second place Division 1  Sewing; first place Division 7 Quilted; first place Class 2 Miniature Quilt; third place Class 5 Machine Quilted; second place Division 7 Quilted.

Tara Foster won the following ribbons for needlework: second place Division 3 Crochet; first place Class 3 Afghan and third place Class 13 Hat and Scarf categories.

 Christine Foster Irwin won the following ribbons for third place Class 4 Baby Afghan; third place in the Class 6 Doilies (under 14”); third place Class 15 Miscellaneous categories.

Kay Epp won the following ribbons: second place Division 7 Quilted; second place Class 8 Crib-hand; first place Class 3 Miscellaneous categories.

Emerald Erdman won the following ribbon for fourth place Class 5 Machine Quilted.

Patricia Benkovich won first place Class 8 Crib-hand.

Azurene Erdman won fourth place Division 7 Quilted.

In the Litchfield County Contest: Birdhouse with Agrico Horal Theme Sr. Division, first place went to Ken Erdman.

Wayne and Carol Smith won a trophy in the Red, White and Blue Contest (Hobbies).

In the Flowers contest Mary Pierce won first place, Jordan Willis also won first place and Cindy Erdman won third place in the Adult Class.

Shannon Paprostei won Intermediate Showman in the Dairy Division.

Aaron Cox won third place in the Baked Goods Seniors Division.

More winners were not available at the time this issue of The Bee went to press, and those will be in the next issue of The Bee.