By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Bidding on pies and cookies may be a little more cutthroat then most people would imagine.
The annual baked goods auction takes place the Saturday before the official start of the Crawford County Fair and family members aren’t afraid to go toe-to-toe to purchase some sugary goodness. Bidding wars were fought over pies with everyone conceding graciously over the lost baked goods, though there might have been a sad smile or two as the deserts were handed to the winner. After all, the auction is all in good fun while helping out the exhibitors and the Fine Arts building at the same time.
Susie Hamman has been camping out during fair week for the past twenty-five years. Her husband is on the fair board but that is not the only reason she returns to the baked goods auction every year. Hamman’s mother used to buy items all the time at the baked goods auction and Hamman doesn’t see any reason not to continue the tradition.
“I want to support the fair,” said Hamman. “It’s a good thing they’re doing.”
Hamman walked away with a few baked goods, including her daughter-in-law’s apple pie.
Madison Tieben was on hand to show off her chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies that were up for auction. Tieben, who is a 4-H member, was a little nervous but she felt her items sold fairly well.
A portion of the proceeds are given back to the exhibitors while the rest will be given to the Fine Arts building for improvements.