Eleven-year-old Zoe Sweet, sixth grader in the Daniel Boone School District, is making Oley Fair History by being the first in her age group to win 1st place in Best of Show at the state level in the Safety Poster contest.
Sweet was personally congratulated at the PA Farm Show on Jan. 14 by State Representative David Maloney and was given a citation which recognizes those young people, who through their achievements bring distinction to themselves, their communities and this commonwealth.
Sweet was also awarded a chas prize for having placed Best in Show both at the Oley Fair and State Fair; money she says she will save away in an envelope until Christmas when she then will use it to buy for her loved ones.
Her mother and father, Wendy and Tom, beamed with pride as both their very “Sweet” girls spoke of their many success at the Oley fair. Sweet’s parents settled in the Berks County area just before her birth in 2003. Both educators are from upbringings that encouraged community involvement, the Sweet parents raise their girls to participate locally as often as possible.
“We teach the girls, community is what you value. What’s so great is the majority of those who run the Oley fair are current or former educators who are vested and passionate about the fair and student submissions. Kids get feedback on their creativity well beyond that of a grade and have the opportunity to try things they never could in school,” said Sweet’s mother Wendy.
This is not Sweet’s first win, as a matter of fact the whole Sweet family could be referred to as “Oley Fair-natics.” Their dining room and the girl’s bedroom walls proudly boast an array of colorful ribbons for all sorts of entries submitted to the fair over the past eleven years. The entire family participates, entering submissions in several categories and volunteering in all sorts of capacities. The family even goes as far as to hold an annual yard sale just a week before the fair. The monies the girls make help pay for rides, food and a weekend of fun. The yard sale has reportedly become a tradition, developing regulars which return every year.
Sweet herself looks forward to one day judging Oley fair submissions, but not before she has a chance to try her hand at baking and submitting some “Sweet” treats to the fair.
When asked, what is the best part of the Oley Fair, Sweet smiles and replies, “I really like the way the community comes together. Oh, and watching the blindfolded donut eating contest.”
