• Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. Flower lovers can see this year's Fair entries this week.
    Flower lovers can see this year's Fair entries this week.
  • Article Photo. Connie McClintock's salsa display was named
    Connie McClintock's salsa display was named "Best of Show" in Garden.
  • Article Photo. Doug Wendel made this 'Best of Show' dresser from a walnut tree from the farm where he was raised.
    Doug Wendel made this 'Best of Show' dresser from a walnut tree from the farm where he was raised.
  • Article Photo. Kelsey Perry, left, holds a rooster while she and friends struggle to wash their poultry Thursday.
    Kelsey Perry, left, holds a rooster while she and friends struggle to wash their poultry Thursday.
  • Article Photo. Some photos of the 4-H projects selected for the Iowa State Fair...
    Some photos of the 4-H projects selected for the Iowa State Fair...
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.

Doug Wendel used a walnut tree from the farm where he was born and raised in rural Watkins to make a dresser.

That project was named one of the Best of Show winners in the Benton County Fair Open Show on Thursday.

The winning items will be on display at the Fairgrounds.

While judges finished their work of evaluating flowers, garden produce, sewing,  photography and more, hundreds prepared their animals for this week's events.

Some poultry contest entrants spent some time trying the difficult task of washing their chickens under an outdoor faucet. Others cleaned stalls, groomed their livestock, or worked with horses as they prepared for shows later this week.