Honesty keeps the fair square

MONROE – Trent Vanhulle knows how to make a cow beautiful.

More important, he knows how to do it legally.

Making a cow look good is key to winning ribbons at the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe, which runs through Sept. 6. But while some cheating may take place at competitions nationwide, Vanhulle, 18, of Monroe, won’t stoop to that level.

Vanhulle, who prepared two steers and three cross-bred cows for the fair, knows how to get the hair on their legs to stand up by spraying and combing, making their legs look thicker to impress judges.

That’s legal.

But he also knows that some people at bigger competitions inject oil into cows to enhance their appearance or implant silicon to make them look more robust.

While those competitions recently have instituted safeguards such as DNA or blood testing to ward off cheating, the Monroe fair that he’s been involved in for nine years doesn’t need that, Vanhulle said.

The Evergreen State Fair doesn’t offer many safeguards to protect competitors and customers from cheaters, but Vanhulle and many others at the fair say they aren’t needed.

It’s a matter of trust.

“You want to win, but you want to have fun,” Vanhulle said.

Julie Vanhulle, the superintendent of beef cows and Trent Vanhulle’s mother, said the use of steroids, which gives cattle more muscle, is banned, but the fair doesn’t test or inspect for their use.

“It’s just a honesty thing,” she said.

That theme was echoed in other parts of the fair, from the vegetable and flower competitions to the carnival games.

Besides, cheating doesn’t pay off at this size of fair, officials said.

The highest prize for a cow is $100, which is not a lot given the expense to bring cows to the fair, said Anna Groeneveld, 27, a dairy farmer in Sultan.

“It’s not a big money maker,” she said.

Groeneveld, who has participated in the fair for 19 years, said most dairy farmers here are local and have known each other for a long time.

“We value our honesty and hard work more than the prestige of winning,” she said.

She tries to pass those values on to children who show cows at the fair.

“You work with what you have. We want to teach the importance of fairness,” she said.

Many other contests at the fair also count on trust.

Marcie Allen, the superintendent of fruits and vegetables, said the fair had about 500 entries this year.

A variety of produce – carrots, tomatoes, pumpkins, apples and berries – was neatly displayed with ribbons. All of them were raised in Snohomish County, Allen said.

At least she believes they were. The fair doesn’t do any inspection to make sure they are locally grown, she said.

“I guess I just take the people’s word for it,” she said.

Allen selected two judges by their knowledge and experience with produce, she said. They gave away three sweepstake awards – a $20 gift certificate for a farm supply store – for the categories of youths, adults and seniors.

Debbie Marsh of Everett was browsing through the displays of produce at the fair Friday.

If some of the produce was from stores, you probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference, Marsh said. But she believes every entry follows the rules.

“I just come in good faith,” she said.

Meanwhile, carnival games get some scrutiny. Police inspected all the games before the fair began, said Gary Beaudette, a manager of the games.

Rigged games are a thing of the past, he said.

“They don’t get money if they get a lot of complaints,” he said of game operators.

Dale Riel of Snohomish was following his grandson, Sawyer, 2, from one game to another Friday. Sawyer got a stuffed mouse after playing a ball-throwing game for $5.

Riel said whether a game is fair doesn’t matter to him.

“(Sawyer) is as happy as a clam,” he said. “That’s all I care about.”

Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.