Started going to the fair beginning with the 4th year (late 1970's), after I finished my hitch in the Navy. Have been going off and on ever since.
The years I missed were due to relocations for my job ( Navy time, plus Vegas 3 yrs., Chicago 4 yrs. ). My mentor, when I learned to build, is one of the judges in the "master" class. Kind of been a tradition much of my life.
Later
I.C.