Sixth Annual Hay Bale Competion

The Platte Valley Arts Council is sponsoring the 6th annual Hay Bale Sculpture Contest and it is bigger than ever. Back in September, there was an initiation sent out to all local ranches, businesses or families to show off some good ole' fashioned ranch ingenuity that could give their outfit creative bragging rights for a year.

Eight participants entered this years contest. The defending champions CSU Beef Improvement Center is joined by Doggett Greenhouse, Kelly Cattle Company, Saratoga Sun, Sunnycup, Sweet Marie's Mercantile, Town & Country Realty and the Young Ranch.

The entries completed by October 9, 2022 when the official photos took place. The photos of the completed works of art will be posted on the organizations Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/PlatteValleyArts where "LIKES" will be tallied between October 15 through October 31st. The organization encourages the community to vote for their favorites during that time.

In addition to promoting awareness of all the ranching operations in Encampment, Saratoga & Riverside, the Platte Valley Arts Council hopes to share the creative agricultural minds in our midst. The "People's Choice" winner will take home the traveling trophy created by Saratoga artist, Sierra Smith. The winner will be announced in November. The winning ranch, business or family will then keep the trophy for one year and then surrender it to the next years winner. The past winners have been: The Barkhurst Family (2017), TA Ranch (2018), Town & Country Realty (2019) and CSU Beef Improvements Center (2020 & 2021).

The mission of the Platte Valley Arts Council is to keep art in your everyday life and you can help us do that by participating or voting in this unique and exciting fall activity. Directions and a map to drive by each of the entries are posted in the 2022 Hay Bale Contest photo album on Facebook.