Community judging of projects prepared by Porter County 4-Hers was conducted Wednesday at Morgan and Kouts schools by Mrs. Martha Saterlee, shown rating cake made by Anita Stade (left), Morgan Hustling Hoosiers, and cookies prepared by Lori Johnson, Washington Workettes.

This image and caption appeared on page 13 of The Vidette-Messenger from July 25, 1974.

Displaying trophies won in 1974 4-H Bike Performance Day Competition at Grissom Middle School, Portage, are, (from left) Kevin Bottorff, Cheryl Short, and Susan Read.

This image and caption appeared on page 7 of The Vidette-Messenger from July 26, 1974.

Five members of Pleasant Pioneers 4-H Club were among Porter County 4-Hers who participated in this week's pre-fair community judging, which ended Friday. Watching as Mrs. Carol Steele, home economist, judges clothing project of Diane McDougal at Kouts School are (from left) Evelyn Alt, Brenda Lucas and Tammy McDougal, while Carol Deavers (right) awaits her turn. Diane and Evelyn earned 'B,' other three girls earned 'A' for their clothing projects, which along with projects of other 4-Hers, will be on display at the Porter County Fair, Aug. 5-10.

This image and caption appeared on page 16 of The Vidette-Messenger from July 27, 1974.

Exhibits of projects completed by 4-H boys and girls were being prepared today at the fairgrounds. Displays may be viewed by public during 102nd Porter County Free Fair, which opens Monday. Shown preparing clothing exhibit are Martha Stoner, member of Center Midget Farmers and Mrs. Kenneth Lawrence, leader of Washington Workettes.

This image and caption appeared on page 13 of The Vidette-Messenger from July 31, 1974.

Entries in Porter County Free Fair queen contest were guests of Valparaiso Kiwanis Club Wednesday at Wellmans. Special guest was Beth Buening, of Huntingburg, 1973 Miss Indiana State Fair. She is shown with Mrs. Bud Kraft, Porter County queen contest chairman and William Reed, grandstand superintendent.

This image and caption appeared on page 11 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 1, 1974.

Prof. E. J. Lott, Purdue Forestry Department, rated 4-H wildlife and forestry projects Thursday at the Porter County Fairgrounds. Robin Snook, Junior leader from Morgan Hustling Hoosiers, helped with judging. More than 3,700 projects will be on display at the fairgrounds Monday when the Porter County Free Fair opens for six-day run.

This image and caption appeared on page 1 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 2, 1974.

This advertisement for the Porter County Free Fair Queen Contest appeared on page 9 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 3, 1974.

Cheryl Graham, 17, member of Center Go Getters 4-H Club, grooms her horse, Cooki, after animal was brought to Porter County Fairgrounds on Sunday. Cheryl and her horse will take part in the 4-H Horse Show to be held tonight in front of the grandstands, starting at 7 o’clock. Annual Porter County Free Fair opened this morning for six-day stand.

This image and caption appeared on page 1 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 5, 1974.

A 115-pound Suffolk, owned and exhibited by Barbara Hendricks, 16, of Porter Township, was named grand champion of the market lamb show held Monday afternoon at the 1974 Porter County Free Fair.

This image and caption appeared on page 1 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 5, 1974.

Showing cousin Lyle Hefner's lamb is Robbin Hefner, 11.

This image and caption appeared on page 6 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 6, 1974.

Ooooh! It's sticky. Jennifer Monaco, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Monaco, Rt. 1, appears to be slightly apprehensive about biting into big fluff of cotton candy.

This image and caption appeared on page 6 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 6, 1974.

Winners of junior division showmanship awards Monday in sheep judging were Sandy Bierma, grand champion, and Jeff Rutt, reserve champion.

This image and caption appeared on page 6 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 6, 1974.

'Sheepish' grins were pushed aside for wide smiles after judging of senior sheep showmanship, when John Poncher was awarded grand champion prize and Janet Maiers, reserve.

This image and caption appeared on page 6 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 6, 1974.

Excitement hardly was 'barrel-able’ during quick-hoofed jouncing and jogging of horse show contestants, such as Donna Claussen, of Hebron.

This image and caption appeared on page 6 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 6, 1974.

Showing winning entries in carcass competition Monday are John Tyler (left), grand champion, and Paul Mohler, reserve champion.

This image and caption appeared on page 6 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 6, 1974.

Hampshire market lamb exhibited by John Poncher, Center Township, was selected as reserve champion of lamb show Monday at Porter County Free Fair.

This image and caption appeared on page 8 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 6, 1974.

This detail of an advertisement of thanks for the 1973 buyers appeared on page 9 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 6, 1974.

Karen Marie Maiers, 17, a 5’ 11” statuesque brunette with a charming personality, is the 1974 queen of the Porter County Free Fair.

This image and caption appeared on page 1 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 7, 1974.

David Hannon, 13, is shown with his 237-pound crossbred barrow that was named grand champion of the swine show Tuesday at the Porter County Free Fair. He was awarded trophy by Allen Wilson (right), of Heinold Hog Sales.

This image and caption appeared on page 1 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 7, 1974.

Porter County Fair Queen Karen Maiers with court, Evelyn Alt (right), first runner-up, and Janis Naillieux, second runner-up.

This image and caption appeared on page 14 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 7, 1974.

Karen Maiers in swimsuit competition prior to her crowning Tuesday as Miss Porter County Fair 1974.

This image and caption appeared on page 14 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 7, 1974.

Margie Sinn and George Coulter, display senior showmanship trophies and ribbons with Herbert Casbon, senior member of the swine committee, following swine judging Tuesday at the fairgrounds 4-H livestock pavilion.

This image and caption appeared on page 14 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 7, 1974.

Mrs. Mary Bradley, Chesterton, displays her winning flower arrangement in dining room informal division of senior floral exhibits, open class. She walked off with first place in all six flower show divisions.

This image and caption appeared on page 14 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 7, 1974.

Cousins Anne Birky and Craig Birky were champion and reserve champion in junior showmanship category after swine judging Tuesday. With junior winners is James Brown, new Porter County extension agent.

This image and caption appeared on page 14 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 7, 1974.

Susan Poncher's 227-pound duroc won her reserve grand champion honors in the swine competition Tuesday at the livestock pavilion.

This image and caption appeared on page 14 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 7, 1974.

Scott Sommers, Rt. 4, shows off his prize Medina pigeon, which captured best of breed, best fancy bird, and best of show honors at pigeon judging on Tuesday afternoon. 

This image and caption appeared on page 14 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 7, 1974.

Charm bracelet from The Vidette-Messenger is presented to Brenda Lucas, Miss Congeniality in Porter County Fair Queen Contest, by Chuck Zulich, sports editor.

This image and caption appeared on page 15 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 7, 1974.

Virginia Hendricks (left) helps Barbara Hendricks show pen of two, which won the grand champion title in the lamb show at the Porter County Fair.

This image and caption appeared on page 22 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 7, 1974.

Steve Hannon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hannon, Pleasant Township, won grand championship of Beef Show at the Porter County Fair Wednesday with his 1,155-pound crossbred. He was congratulated by Fair Queen Karen Maiers.

This image and caption appeared on page 1 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 8, 1974.

Ruth Hendrickson of Chesterton (right) smiles after being selected as first Porter County Senior Queen Wednesday at the fairgrounds. With Ms. Hendrickson are George Armstrong, vice president of Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Porter County Council for Aging and the Aged, and 90-year-old Mabelle Wallace, who was chosen as runner-up. There were six contestants in the RSVP-sponsored contest, and winner was chosen on basis of her pep and service to community. Ms. Hendrickson will compete in area queen contest Friday.

This image and caption appeared on page 11 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 8, 1974.

Burns Whitaker, owner of Whitaker's General Store, purchased David Hannon's grand champion barrow with bid of $2.50 per pound Thursday night at annual 4-H livestock auction at the Porter County Free Fair. Mike Schroeder, 8, helped grandpa in bidding.

This image and caption appeared on page 1 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 9, 1974.

Carol Short, of Jackson Township, earned junior showmanship trophy Thursday at dairy show held at the Porter County Free Fair.

This image and caption appeared on page 7 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 9, 1974.

With high bid of $6 per pound, Larry Neal (left), of Neal Co., purchased Barbara Hendricks’ grand champion market lamb at 4-H livestock auction Thursday night. Also shown are Judy Neal, 10, and Karen Maiers, fair queen.

This image and caption appeared on page 9 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 9, 1974.

Harry Brown (left), of J and H Tire Co., Hebron, paid $2,310 ($2 per pound) for Steve Hannon's grand champion crossbred beef calf at 4-H livestock auction Thursday at Porter County Free Fair.

This image and caption appeared on page 9 of The Vidette-Messenger from August 9, 1974.