Hale Bale Contest Rakes in Most Competitors

This year’s Platte Valley Hay Bale contest is being dubbed the Fab Fifteen by the Platte Valley Arts Council board.

“I am very excited to see so many newcomers join in this friendly competition,” said Mary Martin, the Chairperson of Platte Valley Hale Bale contest.

In its eighth year, the competition exploded to 14 entries, many of them signing up just a few days ahead of the deadline.

It is the most entries to date, Martin said. Martin is on the board of the Platte Valley Arts Council (PVAC).

The board came up with the idea to promote art in unusual ways in a rural area in 2017. Hay bale sculptures have been popping up nation-wide as early as the 1990s.

In addition to promoting awareness of all the ranching operations in Encampment, Saratoga and Riverside, the Platte Valley Arts Council hoped to share the creative agricultural minds in the Valley and reminding people that art comes in all forms, Martin said. The mission of the Platte Valley Arts Council is to “keep art in your everyday life.”

The People’s Choice award for the contest was made by local artist Sierra Smith and is a traveling trophy.

In the past the winners have included the Barkhurst Family (2017), TA Ranches (2018), Town & Country Realty (2019) CSU Beef Improvement Center (2020 and 2021), Sunny Cup (2022) and Dirt Diggers Garden Club (2023).

This years entries include BMO Banking Center, Brush Creek Ranch, Carbon Power & Light, CSU Improvement Center, Dirt Diggers Garden Club, The Divide Restaurant and Lounge, Kelley Cattle Company, Pine Lodge, Saratoga FFA/AG, Saratoga Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce and Platte Valley Community Center, The Saratoga Sun, Town & Country Realty, Wyoming Game and Fish, the Young Ranch and Saratoga Feed & Grain.

Sculptures are to be completed by Oct. 13 and the official contest begins Oct. 14 and will finish at midnight Oct. 31.

“Yes, I set an alarm and count the votes,” Martin said. “The winner will be announced at the annual meeting in November where the trophy is presented and first appears in the Saratoga Sun.”

The Sculptures are displayed on the PVAC facebook and all reactions are counted. This is strictly a popularity contest, Martin said.

Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to drive around the Platte Valley to see the sculptures in person.