Open Class Home & Family Arts

 

Download the 2026 Open Class Home and Family Arts booklet. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: DUE TO THE FAIRGROUND'S POLICY ON WEAPONS OR ITEMS THAT CAN BE USED AS WEAPONS, HANDICRAFTS CLASS "H68. CUTTING TOOLS (HATCHETS, AXES, KNIVES, ETC.) HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE OPEN CLASS DEPARTMENT.

The 2026 Open Class Fashion Show information and registration form are available at the Purdue Extension Elkhart County office on the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds. 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 Home & Family Arts 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 - _________________
  • Unique Birdhouse - _________________
  • Spectacular Strawberries - _________________
  • Best of Michiana Ribs - _________________
  • Byler Lienhart Cook Off
    • Beef - Cut (1st Place) - _________________
    • Beef - Ground (1st Place) - _________________
    • Pork - Cut (1st Place) - _________________
    • Pork - Ground (1st Place) - _________________
    • Lamb - Cut (1st Place) - _________________
    • Lamb - Ground (1st Place) - _________________
    • Best Overall Pork - _________________