Marion County residents continue to take home first place ribbons in competitions at the Iowa State Fair.

Elementary-aged students competed in the Youth Spelling Bee and Troy Van Wyk, 10, of Pella grabbed first place in the Third and Fourth Grade division. Brenda Becker of Pella won first place in the Favorite Frosted Sugar Cookies contest. Contestants were challenged to take a traditional sugar cookie recipe and make it their own, and write a short story about the recipe’s inspiration. The best sausage makers from across the state squared off in the Best of the Wurst competition. In’t Veld’s Meat Market in Pella won first place in the Summer Sausage class. Entries were judged on texture, external and internal appearance.