The County Fair is only a day old, but the Gulley family are already big winners, one of their Swiss Steers, Silly Sally, won a blue ribbon, and their Wizard Of Oz display – featuring some of Ed’s greatest creations (and his daughter Maggie’s great floral arrangements and painted signs) was already the talk of the fair.

Ed made a new Tin Man, left, a Scarecrow (hidden),  Carol made Dorothy out of a mannequin, and Ed made a Cowardly Lion. Maggie made a dozen hand painted signs quoting from The Wizard Of Oz and some beautiful floral arrangements. In the old days, Ed and Carol used to sleep on the hay alongside the cows, but this year, they’re leaving the grandkids sleeping in a rented trailer a few yards away.

Ed and Carol and some other farmers keep the true spirit spirit of the old agricultural affair alive, the cows are now dwarfed by corn dog and fried dough stands and trinket booths and a huge carnival. But the agricultural heart is still there, and still visible, and still very much worth the trip.

it is always a wonder to me that the fresh and bountiful food the farmers create is almost never shown or sold at the farmer, only fried oreo cookies and sweet corn dipped in melted sugar.

Ed worked incredibly hard to get ready for the fair, it was very important to them. Ed will be showing his sculptures at our Open House in October and on his blog, the Bejosh Farm Journal, now seen all over the United States and in 45 different countries.

Ed is a  brave and creative man. Late in life and with little encouragement, he freed the artist inside struggling to come out and let it out, both in his words and art.  He is selling his farm sculptures, wind chimes and metal flowers all over the country. f you’re anywhere near the Washington County Fair, look for the Gulley’s farm display on the side of Barn 2. You will not regret it.