Where can you find award-winning onions next to handmade rugs and embroidered pine needle pocketbooks?

At the Rochester Grange Fair, of course, where Grange 257 on Hartley Road celebrated 101 years of agriculture and 4H exhibits on Saturday.

"The agriculture fair has been going for 101 years," said Sue LaFleur, Secretary of the Grange and wife of Grange Chairman Herbert LaFleur. "It's a competition but people bring in their things for fun. We have it split between adults and juniors."

Among the judged entries were artworks, tomatoes, knitting and a plethora of items that evoked the rustic feel of the grange hall, made of wood from a past century and cooled only by two lethargic ceiling fans.

The judges arrived at 8 a.m. and were from another grange, lest they be accused of partiality.

"The judges were from Dartmouth Grange," said LaFleur. "It was very professional. They did a great job."

"I brought in pickle relish, garlic, carrots, beans and cucumbers," said Nina Catelli Vincent, of Mattapoisett. "I got four out of five first places. I'm thrilled!"

Catelli said she had been gardening for years but first saw the grange fair last year and thought "I could do this." She entered several of her vegetables this year.

"We had about 45 people with entires," said LaFleur. "That's about average. The entires depend on the weather and the gardens. Last year we had a lot of vegetables. We have a lot of juniors this year."

For the winners, first place carries a $3 prize with $2 and $1 for second and third places.

Later in the afternoon, following a ham and bean supper, anything that hasn't been sold or taken home is put to auction.

"Does everyone have everything they want?" said Auctioneer Tom Gayoski Jr. "If not, too bad."

And the auction begins.

"Three peppers, do I hear 50 cents? 50 cents over here do I hear 75?" Gayoski calls out at a breakneck speed as produce is bought for anywhere between $0.50 to $15.

"Most of the time we sell it all," said LaFleur. "We're doing really well tonight. Some years it seems like everything sells for $0.50."

With the auction rapidly dispensing produce and grange member Mary Miranda running back and forth between buyers and the cash box the fair peters out as the hall empties.

"We'll be in South Middleboro next week at their grange for their fair," said LaFleur as the last of the crowd leaves the hall.