When Briana Snyder entered her homemade cake in the Kentucky State Fair last year, she had no idea she'd opted for one of the historic event’s most esteemed and cut-throat culinary categories.

The “Your Favorite Cake, Any Kind,” contest just sounded fun, because the parameters seemed limitless. Unlike other categories calling specifically for a spice, fruit, pound, angel food, bundt, or pumpkin cake, Snyder could create anything she wanted.

It was Snyder’s first time competing at the fair, a step up from a couple of local baking contests she’d won in Shelbyville, where she’s lived for six years.

The native of Charlestown, Ind., grew up baking alongside her mother, but didn’t grow up attending the fair. So, seeing her lavender blueberry creation on display in 2024 marked one of just a

See Full Page