After successfully adding food and retail vendors to the 2023 People’s Choice Awards at MontanaFair, voting will return for another year.
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“It’s the people here in Montana who really hear their voices. Some of it is money, higher prize money than a regular course. But some of it is just bragging rights, like, ‘Wow, people chose me out of everyone else here at MontanaFair,'” Heritage Department Director Marie Smith said Wednesday.
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According to Smith, the exhibition buildings have been giving out People’s Choice Awards for over a decade. It’s a way to show the artist or craftsman that you love their work.
“These are all crafts you would have seen your grandmother doing. The knitting, the sewing, the crocheting, and we’re trying to bring them into the 21st century,” Smith said.
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Maryann Morgenstern, a member of the Prairie Handspinners Guild, was busy making yarn at the Montana Pavilion.
“This is a Lendrum spinning wheel,” said Morgenstern. “We have tried to offer demonstrations here at the fair for several years. I was here last year and this year.”
Look for QR codes near artisans, food stalls or commercial vendors to vote for a favorite.
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“Last year was the first year our commercial and food vendors received the People’s Choice Award, but all of our 4-H exhibit buildings have participated for many years,” said Darcie Tempel, MontanaFair sponsorship and marketing manager. “It has developed into a friendly competition among the vendors.”
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Brockel’s Chocolates, a longtime favorite in Billings, won the indoor sales award for the second day in a row. It’s a sweet reward for the booth and all the hard work.
“We’ve been doing the fair since 1978,” said Jaci Brockel, co-owner of Brockel’s Chocolates. “We just appreciate it so much, we love the community and we love all of our customers.”
