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September 3, 2010

Judging at the Minnesota State Fair

Photos by Nikki Tundel
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Thousands of items are judged each year at the Minnesota State Fair by a wide array of experts. Photographer Nikki Tundel documented several of those competitions this year for All Things Considered.

Judge Wayne Fischer

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St. Paul, Minnesota — Judge Wayne Fischer examines a pigeon during the 4-H Poultry Show at the Minnesota State Fair. Fischer has been judges poultry for 10 years and does 8 to 10 fairs each year. (MPR News Photo / Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

Measuring caliper

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St. Paul, Minnesota — Vegetable judge Mary Conroy readies her measuring caliper before judging some tomatilloes at the Minnesota State Fair. Conroy has judged vegetables at the State Fair for 15 years. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

Cassie Padula

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St. Paul, Minnesota — Competitor Cassie Padula fields questions about her fleece at the Minnesota State Fair 4-H Fleece Show from judge Douglas Pamp. Pamp has judged fleece for over 50 years. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

State Fair Judge Ruth Dapper

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St. Paul, Minnesota — State Fair Judge Ruth Dapper was the youngest-ever judge certified by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 2004, she was 17 years old. The ARBA certification process takes at least 7 years to complete. (MPR News Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

Jack Farrell

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St. Paul, Minnesota — Jack Farrell has been judging the Minnesota State Fair Amateur Wine Competition for at least 25 of the contest's 31 years. Farrell is the owner and CEO of Haskell's wine shops. (MPR News Photo / Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

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