Terrence Neuzil emcees the Ugly Cake contest every year, and he usually has a good idea which one the winner is going to be before the contest even gets started.

"I look for the one that attracts the most flies," Neuzil said. "That's usually a pretty good indication of an ugly cake."

The annual Ugly Cake contest was one of the first events of the Johnson County Fair, which is being held from Monday through Thursday. Winners of the contest received a trophy and gift certificate to Yummy's Gourmet Cakes in Coralville.

Randy Heinle, of Hills, was a first time judge this year.

"I tell you what, these kids have got a lot of creative ideas," Heinle said.

Fellow judge Kathy Shemanski agreed.

"That's what I look for, cleverness and creativity," she said.

The Winners Were:

Wremer Strauser, of North Liberty, in the 18+ age division.
Eric Wisnosky and Wyatt Herstercamp, of Cedar Rapids in the 10-17 age division.
Brooke Greiner, of Iowa City, in the 9 and under age division.