Aimee Tomasek is a local photographer, art professor at Valparaiso University, and director on the Fair Board. Photographs from her series of portraits of 4-H members called, “I won a blue ribbon at the county fair,” are currently on display in the Robert Cain Gallery. Albert Photographic, 2026.

Join Aimee Tomasek at PoCo Muse on Saturday, October 10, at 11am for a guided tour of I Won a Blue Ribbon at the County Fair: 4-H Portrait by Aimee Tomasek and Our Heart of Hearts: The Porter County Fair.

Drawing on her own ten years in 4-H and her experiences as a Porter County Fair volunteer, Tomasek captures much more than ribbons and results. Her portraits reveal the character, dedication, and relationships of young exhibitors—and the families, neighbors, and mentors who support them.

Explore the stories behind her photographs alongside the fair’s 175-year history, and discover how learning, competition, and community come together to create the “Best Ten Days of Summer.”

No RSVP is required. Please arrive a few minutes before the tour begins as a courtesy to others.