Ky Fair Lady: Meet a prolific Kentucky State Fair competitor Louisville Public Media
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ThehallsoftheKentuckyFairandExpositionCenterarepackedwithhand-craftedwares,bakedgoods,recentlyharvestedcropsandcannedpreserves.
Eachsubmissionhasanamenexttoit,distinguishingcompetitorsfromeachother.Andonenamecanbeseenagainandagain.JoyceSalmon.
Salmonstartedinfaircompetitionsinheryouth.Hermotherraisedrabbits.
“Asayounggirl,whenIwasparticipatingin4H,IfirstenteredrabbitsattheKentuckyStateFair,”Salmonsaid.“Thiswasmyfirstexperiencethere,andIwasthrilledtogoupandsharealltheactivitiesandtheanimals.”
Beyondraisingrabbitsforhertoshow,Salmon’smothertaughthertheartofcanning.Shehasmemoriesofmakingpickleswithhermothergoingback50years.
Overtime,shemadethehobbyherown.
“Atsomepoint,Iwasabletohavemyowngarden,andcontinuedcanning,andIenteredintheOldhamCountyFairbackinthe80s,andgotacoupleofribbonsthereandalsoenteredafewentriesatthestatefair,blackberrypieandgreenbeans,”Salmonsaid.
Shetookabreakfromcompetingtorai