The Southeastern Forage Council held a hay bale toss at the 2008 Root River Antique Power Association’s Show last weekend.

Crows of over 15,000 people attended the show over a three-day period.

According to Gayland Lee Jones, who coordinated the show, it was a big success.

“On Friday afternoon (July 18) a hay bale toss was held on the grass beside the horse pull track at the Power Show,” Jones said. “The Hay Bale Toss was produced by the Southeastern Minnesota Forage Council and the Midwest Forage Association.”

Contestants threw three 10 pound hay bales (5 pounds for those 12 and under) down a 50-foot alley. The longest throw was recorded.

“Dads competed with sons, even though they were in different categories,” Jones explained. “Then they would compete as a team in the father and son category.”

“This is one of the few events that is truly a family event,” said Jones. “With great prizes, what could be more fun?”

The results included:

Senior Men: First place, John Ludemann, 58.a

Five contestants had throws between 44 feet and 45 feet, 2 inches.

Second place, Doug Edge and third place, Jeff Jennings.

Younger Men: First place, Nick Algra.

Older Boys: First place, Hayden Johnson

Younger Boys: First place, Jackson Koenigs.

“He took a practical prize, an ice cream scoop donated by First Farmers and Merchants Bank,” said Jones.

Second place, Adam Koenigs, third place, Derek Clement.

Senior Women: Baar Eastvold with a toss of 32 feet, 3 inches.

Second place, Sue Dugan.

Gailyn Johnson finished third.

Older Grls: First place, Kinzie Smith, 33 feet, 5 inches.

Younger Girls: First place, Martina Garcia.

Father-Son: First place, Rick and Jonah Smith, 66 feet, 10 inches.

Other Father-Son team results: Second place, Eric and James Mathison.

Father-Daughter: First place, Rick and Kinzie Smith with combined tosses of 81 feet, 7 inches.

Other Father-Daughter team results included: Second-place Martina Garcia and Hugh Simon.

Mother-Son: First Place: Colleen and Tyler Jennings, 74 feet, 11 inches.

Mother-Daughter: First place, Bertha Koch and Colleen Jennings, 44 feet, 4 inches.

Contestants each received a prize which was awarded by the Southeastern Minnesota Forage Council.

First place winners received tickets to Deer Creek Speedway.

The next Hay Bale Toss will be Saturday, Aug. 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the 2008 Mower County Free Fair in Austin.

Once again the Mower County Fair Board will have ribbons for the contestants, according to Jones.

For more information about the upcoming Hay Bale Toss, call Jones (507) 754-5088.