ELLSWORTH – The Pierce County Fair is right around the corner and this year, Open Class Photography entrants will see a change meant to improve efficiency and accessibility.

Longtime Supt. Lurene Johnson said entry day will be held noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11 in the Home Economics Building rather than on Wednesday as in the past.

“Judging will take place at 9 a.m. Wednesday,” Johnson said. “We will already have almost three hours of judging in before entries start coming into the other departments. I knew from the beginning that that would be a glitch.”

Though it might be a glitch for those used to the routine, the change is meant to make things easier for entrants and fairgoers. Johnson has posted the change on Facebook, sent emails and the information is in the Pierce County Fair book.

She will also block off the photography area during judging to give judges and their assistants ample time and room to record the results, distribute ribbons and hang up the photos.

“With foods, cultural arts, knitting & crocheting and photography in that building, on Thursday during judging you cannot move,” Johnson laughed. “It is so jam-packed with people. I wanted to make it a better experience so when fairgoers come on Thursday, they can walk through and see who got prizes.”

Johnson took over the superintendent role from Keith Bennett many years ago, she said. She started out in 4-H when she was 9 years old and continued through graduation. She began entering ceramics and photography projects in Open Class.

“When my son came along, he was involved in Open Class before he was old enough to be in 4-H, showing sheep, photography, cake decorating,” she said. “In fact, one year, I mentioned to him about entering electricity because I had always done electricity also.”

He is now an electrical supervisor/engineer at the St. Paul Refinery. He also still pursues his love of photography, also fostered at the Pierce County Fair.

“Seeing the photos that he takes, they rival things that you see in magazines. He is such a great photographer,” Johnson said.

Johnson loves the fair so much that when she learned Bennett was retiring from the superintendent role, she decided to volunteer, even though she knew it would be a big job. It’s one of the biggest departments at the fair.

“I judge at several other fairs and the competition at Pierce County is unrivaled,” Johnson said. “The different classes, we have matted and framed, I can’t think of another fair that has matted and framed. I think that’s a big draw. The people who enter know that this is extremely competitive area and they’re out for blood.”

Her sister, Char Valenzuela, a familiar name in the Open Class departments, helps her organize the fair entries and decorate the space.

“My sister has been absolutely incredible,” Johnson said. “She has quite the eye for design. If you saw her house and yard at holidays, she could easily open up for people to tour. She helps me and all the ideas she’s come up with, I’m so proud of the way the Open Class Photography looks. I think it’s beautiful, it draws people’s attention.”

This year Johnson plans to do even more to highlight the champions and grand champions. Not only will they be receiving a plaque, but the grand champion in each category (manual and automatic) will have their work displayed on an easel.

“I want to highlight the work these people put into it and the dedication. There’s love in it. It’s so much fun to see people enjoying it,” Johnson said.

While it’s too late to enter this year’s fair, Johnson encourages those interested in photography to enter next year’s fair. There are many classes, including cell phone or point and shoot and manual cameras. She is always available for questions at 715-307-2615.

The Pierce County Fair runs from Aug. 13-16, 2026. This year’s theme is “Yesterday’s Memories, Tomorrow’s Dreams.”