By Matt de Simone
From Chicken Bingo to honey judging, the 2025 Botetourt County Fair turned Buchanan’s Town Park into a barnyard of fun last weekend.
This year’s fair brought a lively mix of agriculture, community tradition, and family-friendly entertainment as attendees visited Buchanan on Friday and Saturday. Hosted at the Town Park, the fair offered two days of free festivities that highlighted the spirit of Botetourt County and the talents of its youth.
“I would just say that we are incredibly grateful for our community,” Kate Lawerence said on behalf of the Botetourt County Fair Board of Directors. “Financial support from businesses and individuals, time (so much time) and other resources from so many that pull together to make this event happen. I can only hope that in 100 years someone from the historical society is digging through old Fincastle Heralds looking at articles from 2025 getting ready for the history display at the 2125 Botetourt County Fair.”
Friday night’s “Friday Night at the Fair” saw some rainy conditions kicking off the celebration but it didn’t stop the live music by The Grab Bag Band, a beer garden, the Feather to Fork Poultry Show, food trucks, and a selection of Twilight Vendors. Fairgoers also had to chance to take part in the Friday Night Photo Contest by submitting their favorite snapshots to social media.
Saturday featured better conditions and a full day of hands-on programming centered on agriculture, education, and local heritage. One of this year’s newest features was presented by the Botetourt County Historical Society, which brought pieces of fair history into the historic Wilson Warehouse dating back to the early 20th century.
Attendees enjoyed demonstrations like sheep shearing and wood carving, the ever-popular Chicken Bingo, and the Botetourt Honey Bowl, which was judged by local celebrities. With the discontinuation of the annual Botetourt Honey Festival by its former co-hosts, the Botetourt Beekeepers Association and the Botetourt Farmers Market, the county Fair Board invited Mountain Thyme Honey to sponsor the new Honey Bowl event.
The contest featured 16 local honey samples and a panel of local celebrity judges: Brent Watts, Donnie DiGeorges, Mike Wolfe (official fair honey judge), Amy White, and Heather Fay. Judges were coached by Wolfe before tasting. Jane Huff won first place, while Charlie Filer earned both second and third. Winners received gift cards (rather than ribbons) to Moo Moo’s Ice Cream and Dadant Beekeeping Supply, courtesy of Mountain Thyme Honey.
Youth exhibitors from Botetourt County 4-H Clubs—including Livestock, Dairy, and Honey Bee—were on hand to share their work and answer questions from curious visitors. The annual draft horse pull event was canceled due to the muddy conditions. This event will return in 2026.
The Local Food Walk on the Main Stage showcased area producers and their culinary contributions, while the Youth Livestock Show and Auction gave young participants the chance to display and sell the animals they’ve raised. During the show, the Botetourt County Fair Association awarded its Ag Mini-Grant to a deserving local youth.
Though the fair has wrapped up for the year, the memories and milestones live on. A full list of winners from this year’s competitions can be found below.
For more information or to stay connected for future events, visit botetourtcountyfair.com.
BOTETOURT COUNTY FAIR 2025 WINNERS
Below is a list of winners in the various categories at this year’s Botetourt County Fair.
Farmhouse Show
Fine Arts Division
Open:
Susan DeMoss, Blue Ribbon, Best in Botetourt, Best in Show
Youth:
Nathaniel DeMoss, Red Ribbon
Ellie Anderson, White Ribbon
Cloverbud:
Addison DeMoss
Brooklyn Focht
Photography Division
Open:
Diedra Bruce, Blue, Best in Botetourt
Emily Beavers, Blue, Best in Show
Rene Jeter, Red
Susan DeMoss, Blue
Diedra Bruce, Blue
Treva Campbell, Blue
Rene Jeter, Red
Chelsea Anderson, Blue
Chelsea Anderson, Blue
Rene Jeter, Red
Emily Beavers, Red
Kristine DeMars, Blue
Anna Weddle, Blue
Diedra Bruce, Blue
Diedra Bruce, Blue
Emily Beavers, White
Chelsea Anderson, Red
Youth Division:
Alexandra Bona, Blue
Katie Grace Barrett, Blue
Alexandra Bona, White
Katie Grace Barrett, Blue
Schylar Zollman, Blue
Alexandra Bona, Blue
Camden DeMoss, Blue
Holly Weddle, Red
Alexandra Bona, Blue
Schylar Zollman, White
Schylar Zollman, Red
Schylar Zollman, White
Cloverbud:
Addison DeMoss
Needlework and Sewing Division
Open:
Mary Beth Rush, Blue, Best in Show, Best in Botetourt
Susan Bratcher, Blue
Treva Campbell, Blue
Treva Campbell, Blue
Jordan Lawrence, Blue
Susan Davis, Blue
Eleanor Clemmer, Blue
Treva Campbell, Red
Treva Campbell, Blue
Elenor Clemmer, Blue
Treva Campbell, Red
Jessica Lorance, Blue
Tara Malloy, Blue
Susan Davis, Blue
Treva Campbell, Blue
Cloverbud:
Rachel Booth
Crafts Division
Open:
Susan Davis, Blue, Best in Botetourt
Jessica Lorance, Blue, Best in Show
Treva Campbell, Blue
Treva Campbell, Red
Carol Dooley, Blue
Youth:
Ellie Anderson, Red
Stella Zollman, Blue
Schylar Zollman, Blue
Ellie Anderson, Red
Cloverbud:
Liviana Anderson
Brooklyn Focht
Avery Focht
Produce Division
Open:
Clara Holland, Harvest Basket, Blue, Best in Show, Best in Botetourt
Amy White, Cucumbers, Blue
Tom Williamson, Sweet Corn, Red
Amy White, Pepperoncini Peppers, Red
Amy White, Jalapeno Peppers, Blue
Amy White, Cherry Tomatoes, Red
Amy White, Yellow Tomatoes, Blue
Youth:
Sawyer Zollman, Blackberries, Blue
Egg Division
Open:
Kristine Demars, Red
Youth:
Cason Golla, Blue, Best in Show
Schylar Zollman, Red
Cason Golla, Blue, Best in Botetourt
Paul Turman, Blue
Cloverbud:
Sadie Holland
Lily Holland
Jack Williamson
Asher Golla
Canned Goods (Vegetable) Division
Open:
Matt Marshall, Green Beans, Blue
Matt Marshall, Carrots, Blue
Matt Marshall, Tomato Juice, Blue
Amy White, Jade Green Beans, Blue
Michelle Wolven, Asparagus, Blue, Best in Show, Best in Botetourt
Eleanor Clemmer, Cherry Tomatoes, Blue
Michelle Wolven, Eggs, Blue
Michelle Wolven, Corned Beef Hash, Red
Kim Martin, Sweet Pickle Relish, Blue
Clara Holland, Spicy Pickles, Red
Michelle Wolven, Horseradish Pickles, Blue
Kim Martin, Sweet Pickles, Blue
Jane Huff, 14 Day Pickles, Blue
Emily Beavers, Bread and Butter Pickles, Blue
Rene Jeter, Peach Salsa, Red
Michelle Wolven, Medium Salsa, Blue
Canned Goods (Fruit) Division
Open:
Joan Pillis, Rhubarb Jam, Blue, Best in Botetourt
Amy White, Basil Jam, Blue, Best in Show
Emily Bailey, Apricot Preserves, Red
Amy White, Sour Cherry Preserves, Blue
Kim Martin, Strawberry Preserves, Blue
Amy White, Red Raspberry Jam, Red
Treva Campbell, Peach Jam, Blue
Joan Pillis, Grape Jam, Red
Whitney Hogan, Grape Jelly, White
Michelle Wolven, Red Bud Jelly, Blue
Clara Holland, Red Bud Jelly, Blue
Brad Zollman, Applebutter, Blue
Treva Campbell, Crock Pot Applebutter, Blue
Youth:
Sawyer Zollman, Applebutter, Blue
Honey Division
Open:
Patricia Whitt, Blue, Best in Botetourt, Best in Show
Johnny Eanes, Blue
Brad Zollman, Blue
Jane Huff, Blue
Sarah Melendy, Blue
Youth:
Ben Whitt, Blue
Flowers Division
Open:
Melina Marshall, Blue, Best in Botetourt
Clara Holland, Blue
Youth:
Stella Zollman, Blue, Best in Show
Cloverbud:
Lily Holland
Sadie Holland
Baked Goods Division
Open:
Jordan Lawrence, Peach Pound Cake, Blue, Best in Botetourt
Carol Dooley, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Blue, Best in Show
Amy Coleman, Cookies and Cream Cookies, Red
Jenna Lawrence, Sourdough Molasses Cookies, Blue
Bonnie Spangler, Vanilla Pound Cake, Blue
Heather Staley, Banana’s Foster Cake, Blue
Abby Cook, Blueberry Pound Cake, Red
Kim Martin, Steakhouse Rolls, Blue
Amy White, Everything Bagels, Blue
Karen Hutchinson, Brown Bread, Red
Jenna Lawrence, Apple Pie, Red
Youth:
Samuel Zollman, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Red
Stella Zollman, Chocolate Cherry Cake, Red
Schylar Zollman, Chocolate Cake, Blue
Cloverbud:
Brooklyn Focht, Peanut Butter Brownies
Jack Williamson, Sea Salt Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Avery Focht, Yummy Brookies
Lily Holland, Great Grandmas Pound Cake
Sadie Holland, Preacher Cookies
Avery Focht, Blueberry Muffins
Livestock Show
Swine Show:
Champion Intermediate Showman: Schylar Zollman
Champion Junior Showman: Layton Lilly
Champion Novice Showman: Kason Golla
Grand Champion Market Hog: Foster Brown
Reserve Champion Market Hog: Andi Potter
Grand Champion Breeding Gilt: Stockton Brown
Reserve Champion Breeding Gilt: Foster Brown
Best of Botetourt Hog: Kason Golla
Beef Show:
Champion Senior Showman: Ethan Furrow
Champion Junior Showman: Riley Martino
Grand Champion Breeding Heifer: Riley Martino
Reserve Champion Breeding Heifer: Ethan Furrow
Grand Champion Prospect Steer: Layton Lily
Best of Botetourt Beef: Riley Martino
Dairy Show:
Champion Intermediate Showman: Addison Kelly
Champion Junior Showman: Avery Kelly
Champion Dairy Female: Addison Kelly
Reserve Champion Dairy Female: Avery Kelly
Best of Botetourt Dairy: Addison Kelly
Goat Show:
Champion Senior Showman: Abby Salkowitz
Champion Intermediate Showman: Katie Grace Barrett
Champion Junior Showman: Walker Manbeck
Grand Champion Breeding Doe: Abby Salkowitz
Reserve Champion Breeding Doe: Walker Manbeck
Grand Champion Market Goat: Walker Manbeck
Reserve Champion Market Goat: Katie Grace Barrett
Best of Botetourt Goat: Walker Manbeck
Lamb Show:
Champion Junior Showman: Andi Potter
Grand Champion Breeding Ewe: Andi Potter
Reserve Champion Breeding Ewe: Riley Potter
Grand Champion Market Lamb: Layton Lily
Reserve Champion Market Lamb: Andi Potter
The Livestock Show committee would like thank all of the volunteers who help make the show possible and this year’s livestock show buyers: Oxbow Farms, Carol Pugh, Eggie Lopes, Amy White, Grace Parker, 4T Farms, Sharon Coleman, Ryan Kingery, Terry Austin, Rockingham Co-op, Botetourt Farm Bureau, MAM Farms, and Willow Tree Farms.
Poultry Show
Showmanship Competition
Feather to Farm (F2F) – Grand Champion Best Pen of 3 – Prize, Purple Ribbon, Rack: Owen & Sedley Jeter
F2F – Reserve Champion Best Pen of 3 – Prize, Pink Ribbon, Rack: Luke Schwizer
F2F – Junior Showmanship GC – Blue Ribbon: Kason Golla
F2F – Junior Showmanship RC – Red Ribbon: Maggie Tolley
F2F – Intermed Showmanship GC – Blue Ribbon: Schylar Zollman
F2F – Intermed Showmanship RC – Red Ribbon: Katie Grace Barrett
F2F – Senior Showmanship GC – Blue Ribbon: Gracie Fightmaster
Open Show – Junior Showmanship GC – Blue Ribbon: Riley Martino
Open Show – Junior Showmanship RC – Red Ribbon: Corbin Simmons
Open Show – Intermed Showmanship GC – Blue Ribbon: Gabi Woodson
Best Conformation in Each Chicken Class
All other standard breed class – Blue Ribbon: Corbin Simmons
American Class – Blue Ribbon: Corbin Simmons
English Class – Blue Ribbon: Jude Walker
Feather-legged Bantam – Blue Ribbon: Gabi Woodson
Single-Comb Clean-legged Bantam – Blue Ribbon: Riley Martino
Mediterranean – Blue Ribbon: Riley Martino
