| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kydeere40744 |
Posted - Jun 16 2006 : 11:53:32 AM
Anyone entering anything in their county fair? I entered several projects this year...40 entries total with some competing against each other since they allowed 2 entries. Got 9 blue ribbon, 12 red, and 6 white ribbons overall on photography, Christmas Ornament, Wallhanging, an apron, a wallet, scrapbooking, woodcraft, and I think that is it! The county fair here had a Mule Show, Horse Show, Cow, Sheep, etc shows, Horse Pull, Tractor Pulls, Truck Pulls, a different pageant every night, karaokee contest, battle of the bands contest, rides, and more.
Would love to hear what others have done for their county fair and what goes on with them.
Jessica~Miss Wilma's Niece
Take a look at my country living photography & more at http://kydeere.etsy.com
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| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Libbie |
Posted - Aug 12 2006 : 10:47:20 PM
Our county fair was this weekend - I didn't go, what with the new babe and all - but my husband took my little boy, and they went to see the animals and the rodeo. My little guy was absolutely taken with all of the animals - he came back SOOooooo excited to tell me that his favorite ones were the bulls and the hens. Isn't it funny what seemingly random things little ones like? He was also very impressed that the pigs had their own "drinking fountains" in each of their pens. I can't wait until next year - I am so inspired to enter SOMETHING from the farm - maybe a lamb? I DID end up with some really beautiful eggplants this year, but I'm not sure if there's a category for that .
So, for all of you who have entered already and had your fairs, how did things turn out? And for those of you with upcoming fairs, what did you decide to enter?
I SO wish I would have been able to attend ours!!!! However, the State Fair is in September, I believe, and I think we'll try to go up to the big city to that one...
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Aug 05 2006 : 09:12:49 AM
ONe thing our fair does that is really cute is the kid's pet show. Kids in different age group show their pets in different age groups and everyone gets some sort of ribbon. My kids havn't done it yet since it is always the week school starts and you have to pull them out of school that day to do it, but they are only little once and I think this year I am going to let them do it. I think oldest daughter may already be too old..I will have to see.
I hope to go to the rodeo too..I love rodeos. Our fair has a demolition derby too and the guys all just love to go to that..I can miss that and be fine with a big cup of the fresh lemonade and watching the kids go on rides while husband goes to it.
I need to get the kids nailed down as to what they are entering..we only have 3 more weeks now..maybe a little less. we have to have our entries in on the 21st.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Aug 04 2006 : 11:55:02 PM
I love county fairs too! Ours started today. We're not entering anything but will go one day next week. I just love looking at all the animals and the food & clothing entries. Of course my daughter loves the rides the most. Our neighbors took two of their horses to the fairgrounds tonight. They will be showing them on Sunday. Their little 9 year old granddaughter is doing her first showing. She's been out practicing in the pasture all week -- so darn cute I can hardly stand it. Unfortunately we won't be able to attend on Sunday to watch her!
Visit my blog at http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
| Buttercup |
Posted - Aug 04 2006 : 11:16:34 PM
Oh I LOVE fairs!!! I miss them so much  ...one more things I am so looking forward to when I get back to the states!!! I am enjoying all your stories and preperations!!! Good Luck to all who are entering!!! And tons of fun to everyone going..think of little me in Japan ok?!?  Oh and some one eat a carmel apple for me, a bloomin' onion for me, some cotton candy for me, and....lol...ohhhh I wish I could slide through the internet and ride in someone's pocket!!
Hugz!!
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Aug 04 2006 : 5:29:01 PM
OK, my entries have to be turned in tomorrow afternoon, and here I sit reading all your posts here on MJF!
Once again I have procrastinated until the last minute and I am going to have to scratch a few entries.
Like the grapevine wreath I made 4 weeks ago, and left at the farm that is 5 hours away.
Like the black raspberry jelly that I didn't make yet!
I entered a class called "display of pickles and relishes", what was I thinking! I could maybe make some green tomato marmalade tonight but a display of 5 different varieties????? ARRRRGH!!!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com, web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| Bluewrenn |
Posted - Aug 04 2006 : 4:34:56 PM
What??? All those fairs in Texas and the Texas State Fair doesn't get a mention? (Just kidding!) Speaking of fairs, which are the best ones to go to for livestock - primarily poultry, sheep and goats?
My Homesteading Journal
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My craft journal
http://bluewrenn.livejournal.com |
| walkswithlilacs |
Posted - Aug 04 2006 : 4:29:14 PM
I love county fair time! =) I don't actually enter anything in our local county fair, but a historic park in the county that operates an 1890's Living History Farm has a Harvest Festival in September. I am going to enter my pumpkin cupcakes this year. Wish me luck!
"I saw an act of Faith today -
a man was on his knees;
Not in a pew or in a church,
but in a garden planting seeds."
-anonymous-
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| santa_gertrudis_gal |
Posted - Jun 20 2006 : 1:11:44 PM
Cindy,
I can remember when Sugar Land was that small.... Quail Valley was "the" place to live. I almost cryed when I read in the Chronicle about the Frost Ranch selling, yet change is a constant. Growing up in the NASA area I watched Houston move south. My senior year Houston annexed Clear Lake City. Now for the past ten years I have watched Houston moving south again. I've watched Sun Creek estates gobble up two ranches and I wonder if Nolan Ryan will sell his ranch on 524 to the developers of Suncreek. I already miss No Le Hace and Nolan's China Grove will be no different. Fortunately I too, will soon be moving permanently to Groesbeck, spending four days there and three here in Angleton. Still five years off. Not soon enough.
I can't imagine leaving my beloved adopted state. How I wish this yankee could claim she was a Native Texan. I hope you love Arkansas, as I've seen most of the state and like the rest of the states I've been to it is unique and wonderful. I hope you get through the shock of not having the First Colony Mall to shop in. LOL By the way, Groesbeck is the county seat for Limestone County and is so small there isn't even a Walmart which I LOVE!
Kim
Heaven is a day at the ranch with my Santa Gertrudis! |
| Cindy Texas |
Posted - Jun 20 2006 : 12:17:24 PM
Kim,
I loved hearing about the fair's in Texas and I have been to almost all of them. I now live outside of Houston so of course I don't miss the Houston Rodeo I also used to love going to the Fort Worth Stock show and I live in Fort Bend County so I don't miss that one. I am about to move to a small town in Arkansas pop.5600 (well small compared to Houston) and I can't wait to go to their fair and rodeo. Now that I am finally moving to the country I think that I might even enter some items and I can't tell you how excited I am about that.
Cindy (currently in Texas but soon to be in Arkansas) |
| junebug |
Posted - Jun 20 2006 : 12:06:56 PM
Our county fair is in July and I usually enter canned goods and the photograghy contest, will do the same this year, more so in the photograghy this year!
www.sageflowerfarm.blogspot.com
www.herbalfarmstead.blogspot.com
www.countrypleasures.motime.com |
| santa_gertrudis_gal |
Posted - Jun 19 2006 : 1:25:40 PM
Oooooh, I love county fairs! I've been to so many different fairs, the most recent was Limestone County Fair in April. The three day event is so small, but a very wonderful event. Most of their exhibits center around the livestock, as so typical of Texas County Fairs.
In Texas our fair season is split in two. It starts during fall, September to the first week in November. A break for the holidays, then it resumes after what we call the Majors. The majors start early February with the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, then San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo, and ending with the Grand Daddy of all livestock shows, The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in March that last for three and a half weeks. These three shows alone pump huge amounts of money into our colleges in Texas for those in state residences majoring in life sciences. Even I had part of my college education supplied with endowment scholarships from Houston Livestock Show. County Fairs start up again the weekend after Houston Livestock Show ends and goes through the second weekend in May. It's just too hot in the summer for the livestock at County Fairs.
Our county Fair, Brazoria County Fair starts the first weekend after the second Monday in October. It is a 10 day event, and each year is the largest or second largest in the state. Fort Bend County Fair, the county bording ours to the northwest competes with us each year for that title. Their fair is the week before ours. I've never competed in the fair, as I'm so busy with the kids and their showing. I'm a member of the Fair and serve as a committee man on the Rabbit Committee. Yes, in Texas even the women are committe men and not committee women. I love the work we do to raise money and giving a wonderful experience to the kids. Last year was the last time my kids were eligible to show, and they have many wonderful experiences with the animals they showed. We have done Market Broilers, Market Hogs, Market Steer, Scramble Heifers, Youth and Open Purebred Cattle, Rabbit Fryers and Meat Pens, and finally Breeding Rabbits. The awards are too, numerous to even mention. Even Mom, has wonderful memories. My favorites are watching the kids in the Calf Scramble during the rodeo. Even greater was being able to sponsor a calf scramble certificate to a young man. Watching his face glow when I walked up to him and said I'm your sponsor was the highlight of that year's county fair. To watch him win with his scramble heifer the next year and then win the coveted showmanship buckle was such a thrill. He gave me the biggest hug after he won the Senior Showmanship buckle. Giving back, it's what it is all about for these wonderful young people who show such responsibility in 4H and FFA. Now my daughter along with some of her other rabbit friends are now members of the Rabbit Committee. DD also has several of her high school FFA friends that are active on committees at the fair. They in turn are giving back.
I now have a goal, to get with my mother to repair my wedding dress and enter it at the county fair. I've been wanting to for ten years, just too swamped with the kids and fair. My dress would be entered in the Antique Class. When I was married in 1986 my dress was already 104 years old. This dress was my great grandmother's, she married 1882. For some reason when my grandmother's oldest daughter refused the dress for her wedding my grandmother and her younger sister weren't offered the dress. My mother chose to wear the dress and I will be the last as it is just too fragile for another wedding. The alterations for my daughter will also be impossible.
I JUST LOVE COUNTY FAIRS!!!!
Kim
Heaven is a day at the ranch with my Santa Gertrudis! |
| kydeere40744 |
Posted - Jun 18 2006 : 07:51:29 AM
Haha...Frannie that is just a CUTE story! :-) I was cracking up!!
Today I pick up my entries and I'll take photos when I get back home and try to get them posted up tonight. I use to show a lot down at the Laurel County Fair when I was growing up. I started when I was about 13 doing photography. Then I dabbled a bit and expanded to woodcrafts and sewing. The funniest story was that I had a tobacco plant. I was the ONLY tobacco plant entered and I searched up and down our fields for "the one". I took care of it, babied it, and put lots of love into it. It was beautiful. Go to the fair. I was the ONLY entry in the 4-H and adult division. What did I come home with...a red ribbon. I was heartbroken but I learned one thing, patience. I learned to care for plants and how to make them better. That red ribbon is framed and hanging at mom's house. During my 4-H years, I accumulated a bunch of ribbons from doing speaking, demonstrations, projects, landjudging, seed id, fruit & veggie judging, county fair, state fair, you name it...that we had no room for the ribbons. So I took on a new sewing project and made a quilt wallhanging out of my ribbons. It is now packed away in a cedar chest at mom's house. Great idea if you have kids or even for yourself to store your ribbons all in one place in a new medium.
One of my friends takes photos of the county fair and I'll try to get a few of hers and post them on here with her permission to show you guys what ours is all about. :)
Jessica~Miss Wilma's Niece
Take a look at my country living photography & more at http://kydeere.etsy.com
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| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Jun 17 2006 : 06:13:37 AM
hi jessica .. our county fair is RIGHT NOW .. what with all the travelling we've been doing .. it kinda' snuck up on us this year ... in the last two years (since i've lived here) .. i've only entered a 'hand-made' doll .. and won the blue ribbon both years. HA! the first time i won .. i was so excited .. (and she is a BIG DOLL .. almost small child size) .. so .. i took her (my doll, Betsy) to our local TEA ROOM RESTAURANT .. to celebrate her triumph .. and sat her in a chair at my table .. and ordered a lunch for me .. and order her (proudly holding her BLUE RIBBON) a 'peanut butter and jelly sandwich' luncheon ... (of course, she was so excited she could hardly eat .. so i ended up eating MOST of her lunch. There was a new young waitress working that day ... and the owner came out to tell me that she had come back into the kitchen and said: "the strangest thing just happened .. there is a lady out there who ordered TWO lunches .. one for her .. and one for her DOLL! ... My friend, Peggy (the owner) .. peeked into the dining room and saw me sitting there with "BESTY" ... my doll .. and just laughed and told the waitress: "Oh! that's just Frannie! Take her doll a lunch!!"
True Friends, Frannie
My KENTUCKY RAMBLINGS 'blog':
http://cabincreekfarm-kentucky.blogspot.com/ |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Jun 16 2006 : 6:49:09 PM
Oh my gosh I'm glad I'm not competing with you - 40 entries!
One year I went crazy and had about 25 things between the baked goods and some machine-knit items and a few hand-made purses, some ceramics, and gift decorating. I was up all night the night before finished some of the things! The last few years I have mostly been concentrating on pies, but this year I'm entering a machine-knit apron too- see it on my web page.
Our county fair has a pie judging and auction in addition to the regular competition, with the proceeds going 60% to the fairgrounds, 40% to the baker (or something like that..) anyway I see this year they limited the individuals entering to 4 pies each. Usually it is the local politicians that end up buying these pies - most go between $20 to $100, depending on the type of pie (elderberry always goes high) and who baked it. Much better return on baking effort than the chance to win a $3 premium, but it's the bragging rights that really inspire me. My husband exaggerates and tells people I got the blue ribbon at the state fair (but it's really only our little county fair...)
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jun 16 2006 : 12:21:25 PM
I always enter a few things in our county fair..usually home canned things and homespun yarn and sometimes soap. Ours is the end of August so I still have time to get ready. The kids always enter things too, and sometimes garden produce. We have a real cute little fair here.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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