Photos: Bringing Home The Blue Ribbon From Tennessee County Fairs

Taylor Cox’s sheep wins “Reserve Supreme Champion Overall” at this year’s Smith County fair. Credit: Stephen Jerkins

The Smith County Fair in Carthage, Tenn., includes the Jr. Market Lamb and Commercial Ewe Show. Sheep are assigned to classes by age, weight and face color and are judged by a sheep expert. Credit: Stephen Jerkins

Sometimes picking a winner takes some thought. Sheep are judged by an expert (Ricky Skillington) on features such as structure, feet, legs and body capacity. Credit: Stephen Jerkins

Logan Crabtree (left) is crowned Grand champion market lamb, Grand champion black face lamb and supreme champion overall. Kendall Crabtree (right) poses with her Grand Champion Commercial Ewe. Credit: Stephen Jerkins

In the Smith County Antique and Farm Stock Tractor Pull, the tractor that pulls a weight transfer sled the farthest, wins. Credit: Stephen Jerkins

Worth checking out Wikipedia’s explanation, but here’s what you should know. The further the sled is pulled, the harder it gets. Credit: Stephen Jerkins

The 2013 Dekalb County Fair ‘Little Miss Princess’ pageant included nearly 30 girls ages 7-9. Credit: Stephen Jerkins

Held every year since 1856, the Dekalb County Fair in Alexandria, Tenn., dubs itself the ‘Grandpa Fair of the South’. Credit: Stephen Jerkins

These are the runners-up in the 2013 DeKalb County Little Miss Princess pageant. Credit: Stephen Jerkins

A pair of young entrants line up and rev their engines. Credit: Stephen Jerkins

Who says four-wheelers can’t be pink? Credit: Stephen Jerkins

ATV and dirt bike races are broken down by age, with the youngest starting age group starting at 3 years old. Credit: Stephen Jerkins

The 1st Place ribbon has stood the test of time at the county fair. From pies to pumpkins to pageants, number one at the fair is signified by a blue (or sometimes purple) ribbon. Credit: Stephen Jerkins