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Bale "Sculpture" Contest Stretches Over 21 Miles
Montanans recently showed off their talent for puns and clever hay sculptures at their annual "What The Hay" event held the first Sunday after Labor Day.
The 20th contest in 2009 featured 58 bale sculptures along a 21-mile stretch of state highways 239 and 541 between Windham, Utica and Hobson. More than 4,000 v
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Bale "Sculpture" Contest Stretches Over 21 Miles AG WORLD 33-6-23 Montanans recently showed off their talent for puns and clever hay sculptures at their annual "What The Hay" event held the first Sunday after Labor Day.
The 20th contest in 2009 featured 58 bale sculptures along a 21-mile stretch of state highways 239 and 541 between Windham, Utica and Hobson. More than 4,000 voters made the snail's-pace trip to view and choose their favorite creations and to enjoy a host of other activities in the small towns that have a total of 300 residents, or less, between them.
"This is a mega rural event," says Suzanne Aune, organizer and member of the Utica Rod and Gun Club, which sponsors "What The Hay" with support from local businesses and individuals. In 2009, they gave out $2,100 in cash prizes to children and adults.
The event started as a joke between two ranchers and grew into the huge collection of mechanical and massive sculptures that begin to go up almost as soon as the hay is baled.
"The main rule is to let your imagination go wild," Aune says. "Contestants must use hay or straw but they can add any accessories they want. They also need a legible sign so people can vote."
Hard-working ranchers spend many hours of their precious free time on incredible masterpieces: a ębale' erina that spun, a Jack-in-the-box that popped, and an amazing Statue of Liberty, for example.
People who live outside the area are also invited to participate. Ranchers provide hay and a field to set up their sculptures.
"It's like a huge family-friendly thing, from building bale sculptures to viewing them," Aune says. There's no charge, but it has become an economic boom for the small communities.
Many locals avoid the main highway during the event and check out the sculptures later. Eventually they're taken down, and the hay and straw bales are used for feed or bedding.
"What The Hay" ties in with Lewiston's Chokecherry Festival in Lewiston the Saturday before.
"It's the last hurrah weekend," Aune says.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Utica Rod and Gun Club, 1555 Antelope Creek Rd., Hobson, Mont. 59452 (ph 406 423-5200).
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