Open Class Department

 Download/view the 2027 Open Class booklet - coming spring 2027!

The 2027 Open Class Fashion Show information and registration form will be available at the Purdue Extension Elkhart County office on the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds starting in spring 2027. For a digital copy, call 574-533-0554 or email fink24@purdue.edu

Contact Us

Purdue Extension Elkhart County
Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds
17746 County Road 34 Ste E
Goshen, IN 46528
(574) 533-0554
fink24@purdue.edu

 

2026 Open Class Grand Champions

  • Antiques/Vintage: Pauline Hostetler, Goshen
  • Apron Contest: Jo Ellen Frend, Osceola
  • Creative Arts: Cheryl Ringler, Syracuse
  • Culinary Arts - Baking: Aries Newswanger, Plymouth
  • Culinary Arts - Cake Decorating: Amber Schlundt, Goshen
  • Culinary Arts - Food Preservation/Canning: Sarah Mlotshwa, Goshen
  • Culinary Arts - Food Preservation/Misc.: Jean Williams, Middlebury
  • Handicrafts: Mark Yoder, Goshen
  • Holiday Handicrafts & Paper Art: Danielle Talbot, Mccordsville
  • Needlework: Myrtis Justiniano, Goshen
  • Photography: Michael Wesco, Granger
  • Quilts - Hand Pieced: Rosalyn Cross, Middlebury
  • Quilts - Machine Pieced: Cheryl Baker, Middlebury; Quilted by Dawn Briskie
  • Quilts - Judge's Choice: Taylor Bontrager, Goshen
  • Sewing (Wearable): Barbara Brown, Elkhart
  • Sewing (Non-wearable): Susan Ginther, Elkhart
  • America 250th Anniversary Challenge: Kathy Koch, Middlebury
  • Overall Grand Champion Exhibit: Mark Yoder, Goshen

2026 Fashion Show Winners

  • Aprons: Linda Moudy, Nappanee
  • Bridesmaid or Formal Dresses: May Beane, Elkhart
  • Dresses: Janis Engle, Elkhart
  • Embellished w/Hand or Machine Embroidery: Karen Meade, Goshen
  • Family Outfits: Erin Datzman with Leah & Melinda, Goshen
  • Separates: Sarah Lang, Elkhart
  • Sewing for Others (infant to 5): Donna Hibschman with Kirsten, Syracuse
  • Sewing for Others (ages 6 to 12): Donna Hibschman with Ember, Syracuse
  • Sewing for Others (ages 13 to 17): Rosanne Markham with Renee, Goshen
  • Sewing for Others (adult): Karen Meade with Angela, Goshen
  • Overall Grand Champion: Family Outfits - Erin Datzman with Leah & Melinda, Goshen

Special Contests Winners

  • Metal Yard Art - Scott Mast, Nappanee
  • President Jason Wogoman's Item - Jane Borntrager, Goshen
  • Charcuterie Board - Karen Meade, Goshen
  • Dairy Delicious - Cathy Stump, Nappanee (Party Foods, Main Dishes, & Desserts)
  • Fastest Fingers - Gwen Hernley, Goshen - 102 stitches
  • Year of the Hot Pepper - Karen Meade, Goshen & Arold Charles, Elkhart
  • Longest Apple Peel - Stacey Thorpe, Fort Wayne - 99" Peel
  • Annual Senior Citizen's Cookies - Nancy Gleim, Middlebury; Sherry Weaver, Goshen; & Karen Meade, Goshen
  • Cookie Stacking - (Winners in order by age group) - Josie Woodcock (ages 3-4 group), Evie Woodcock (ages 5-6 group), Robbie Woodcock (ages 7-8 group), Trey Ruicco (ages 9-10 group), Henry Martinez (ages 11-12 group), and Grace DeMaure (ages 13 and up)
  • Unique Birdhouse - Bowen Yoder
  • Spectacular Strawberries - Cathy Stump, Goshen
  • Best of Michiana Ribs - Scott Diamond
  • Byler Lienhart Cook Off
    • Beef - Cut (1st Place) - Scott Diamond
    • Beef - Ground (1st Place) - N/A
    • Pork - Cut (1st Place) - Scott Diamond
    • Pork - Ground (1st Place) - N/A
    • Lamb - Cut (1st Place) - N/A
    • Lamb - Ground (1st Place) - Scott Diamond
    • Overall Champion - Scott Diamond