Noma Sazama’s flowers won purple ribbons. They were among the exhibits at the county fair.
Noma Sazama, 93, entered 12 items in the Bennett County Fair. She received 10 purple ribbons and two blue ribbons in the open class division at the fair held from August 10 to 13 in Martin, South Dakota.
Noma Sazama at her 90th birthday party.
Two of Sazama’s entries were considered best of show. She took the top prize in the open class horticulture division with her garden-grown jalapeno peppers.
Her second award for best of the show was in Ball and Kerr Preservation Award for her homemade salsa, using vegetables she had grown in her garden.
Sazama said people liked her quilt, too. She used a bird panel for the center and then scraps of material leftover from making other quilts to make the border.
People who win purple ribbons in the open class at the County Fair can enter goods in the State Fair. The South Dakota State Fair will be held in Huron, South Dakota, August 31 to September 4.
This quilt, made by Noma Sazama, took a purple ribbon at the fair.
In addition to exhibits, there was a free bratwurst and hamburger supper sponsored by the livestock sales barn on August 11, as a way of gathering a crowd to look at the horses that would be auctioned the following day.
During the fair, the Bennett County High School cheerleaders held a pie and ice cream sale from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. to raise money for their program.
On Saturday, a free community supper of roast beef and pork sandwiches, baked beans and watermelon was served.
Each evening a rodeo was held. The first evening the locals, the “amateurs” tried their luck in the arena, and on Saturday and Sunday, the rodeo featured professional riders.
On Saturday a dance was held.
“This is typical of what small towns in South Dakota do at county fairs,” Sazama said.
These county fairs allow 4H members a chance to show the livestock they’ve raised, to display vegetables they’ve grown and clothes they’ve sewn.
4H is delivered by Cooperative Extension—a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. For more than 100 years, 4‑H has welcomed young people of all beliefs and backgrounds
The 4H pledge states “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, My heart to greater loyalty. My hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.” , 4-H members are learning by doing and developing skills that will serve throughout their lives — setting goals, working toward those goals and achieving those goals.
Generally, county fairs are held in August, before school starts. It gives those living in rural areas a chance to gather and share stories and compare goods.
In Martin, the Chamber of Commerce noted that “Added fair events this year are the Businessperson showmanship that will immediately follow the livestock show on Friday and a Leggo Contest from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday. The Leggo Contest is open to ages 5 through 18 and is a new event.”
Members of 4-H displayed the animals they had raised for judging.
Takes me back. How I miss Kansas. And Michigan. And Colorado.
Congratulations to Noma! What a winner! For anyone to have that many ribbons from one year’s fair is impressive. To do it her age is mind boggling. Makes me smile.
PS If that quilt is for sale, or for sale for charity, I would like to know. It’s a masterpiece.
FABULOUS!! I love reading about other communities and their community efforts.
The quilt is wonderful. As a collector of Antique quilts, I am always amazed at the craftsmanship and beauty put into this art work. In days gone bye quilts were all done by hand. The stitching so small and precise with the pattern on the back of the quilt as
beautiful as the front. Thank you Sue for another interesting column and congratulations to your Mom.
Oh, my soul
Great story! I’ve been waiting for this story to appear. You always do such a great job of circling the news. Bill would always read this first. Have a great day!!
Aren’t we lucky to have been brought up by such a wonderful mom! We were so very fortunate to have been brought up by our grandmothers, too, who held to traditional way of living – farming, gardening, faith and family!
Absolutely art work. Ms. Sazana’s work deserves to be in a museum so that many people can enjoy the quilt and its wonderful workmanship and color. Amazing and delightful. Thanks for the article, Sue and thanks for the precise artwork, Ms. Noma!
I am leaving another reply, because I just reread the article. I LOVE it! The children who are growing up in that ‘down home’ atmosphere are Blessed. It does not get any better than a traditional event where adults, children, families and friends can gather and have a wonderful time. I am sure you are very proud of your Mother and her awards and accomplishments as she is of you. Thank you Sue once again, for showing us the
“Sunny side of our Country”.