What started as an impromptu spoof between neighbors trying to one up each other in decorating round bales has turned into what some consider the event of the summer in central Montana.
Last year there were 63 entries in the “What the Hay?” contest. For those unfamiliar with the tradition, this contest literally lines the sides of highway 239 between Hobson and Windham with hay-themed sculptures and allows the public travelling through to vote on the best. Thousands of people traveled through last year just to take a peak.
Liesel Holtz with the Friends of the Hobson Library and Museum tells us that while some folks have been coming up with their plans since the votes were taken last year, you can still get your hay sculpture in. Entries are taken up until late Saturday afternoon and the voting will take place on Sunday.
If you can’t make it to drive through that “What the Hay?” contest on Sunday, you can still take part in the vote. Liesel says they will be snapping photos as quickly as possible as those sculptures get unveiled on Saturday and then uploading those now-top secret images to their website. Online voting will then follow on Sunday.
The following were the winners of the 2010 online vote in each of the categories. For more information, pictures, a map or to vote on this year’s event starting Sunday, visit the MONTANA BALE TRAIL website.
Adult Sculpture
Adult Whole Bale
Children
© Northern Ag Network 2011
Haylie Shipp
