101st Lake County Fair ends Saturday night

EUSTIS — The Lake County Fair will close its gates Saturday night, wrapping up the 101st celebration which saw large crowds, bigger entertainment and lots of community activities for the whole family. 

On Thursday night, the Law Enforcement Donut Challenge pinned challengers against Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Bill Reed. Among his challengers were Eustis Fire Chief Michael Swanson, magician Kardenni and fair maintenance personnel Steve Muir, along with several audience members and fair staff. 

In the end, not even Kardenni could make his donuts disappear faster than Muir, who emptied his bucket of 25 powdered doughnuts from The Donut Box in around seven minutes. Reed was jokingly disqualified when a group of deputies rushed the stage and stole his donuts. 

“It was fun,” Muir said. “The donuts were really powdery. It took lots of water.” 

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Next door in the Art Barn, artists were searching their items to see what place they were awarded. 

Pete Matejka, a Eustis resident and woodworker, took Best in Show for Creative Living and First in his Class for his handcrafted “Elvira” pirate ship. And yes, it does float.

“It’s made out of recycled material like wheel weights melted down, spindles from a baby crib and wooden beads from an old curtain,” Matejka said. “Through multiple illnesses and cutting the tip of my finger off, it took almost a year to complete.” 

Matejka was a letter carrier for 42 years and got back into woodworking after retirement. 

Also in the room was photographer and painter Joni Thum, who took Best in Show for Creative Arts and first place in Fine Arts with her photo of Rainbow River. Her painting took third place for Fine Arts. 

“I’ve been a photographer since high school and been interested in art since I drew swans on my bathroom wall when I was in pre-school,” Thum said. “My goal is to capture the beauty of nature. It’s so nurturing and healing. If you can’t go there, the next best thing is to have a picture of it.” 

Thum is a mother of six boys and spent much of her life raising them. She had a photography business when she lived in the Midwest and is working on getting her feet back into it. 

One of the most inspiring winners was Kiana Price, a senior at Umatilla High, who uses plant therapy to help with her anxiety from autism. 

“I’ve been growing plants for about a year,” Price said. “My grandma had the green thumb in the family so I thought I’d try it out. My favorite part is when they start producing fruit.”

Price grows heirloom plants which provide a challenge for her. She hand fertilizes them with her finger or Q-tip. For the competition, she entered an heirloom tomato plant and heirloom eggplant plant, each receiving a first place ribbon. 

Price is currently trying to start a garden and plans to join the Army or National Guard and study criminal justice. 

“I’m so proud of her,” her mom, Kim Price, said. “She’s taking after my mom who was retired Air Force. When she sets her mind on something, she does it.”