Sweet Competition

Dan Barry: SANDS TOWNSHIP, Mich.



The pies wait. So do the cookies and cupcakes, the doughnuts and the sweet rolls, the yeast breads and quick breads and breads made with fruit. All competing for ribbons of Olympian distinction; all awaiting the arrival of judges with knives to cut the tension.



"Entries are open to the world," say the rules of the Marquette County Fair. They also say those entries have to be in by 8 this evening, so that all judging can be completed by tomorrow's official opening, when people rush to the display case to see who won what with what.