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Across the Fence:  County Fairs  |
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HorseLady
True Blue Farmgirl
87 Posts
Rose
Irwin
PA
USA
87 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 04 2010 : 6:48:00 PM
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Just wondered how county fairs are in your area. The one here seems to be dying in certain areas such as cross stitch, any needle arts, crafts of all kinds. I used to enter alot of stuff but I noticed that the judging in the cross stitch area was not done fairly. Beautiful projects got nothing while very small, simple things that took barely any effort got ribbons. I think women lost interest (I know I did) because now there are barely 5 entries in this area. There used to be a whole building devoted to the canned fruits and vegetables, now there is one row in half a building. Are young women not learning home making type skills anymore? Are you noticing a decline in areas in your county fair?
Hug a horse or a dog today! |
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kittykill
True Blue Farmgirl
608 Posts
Pam
Portland
or
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - Jul 04 2010 : 6:58:49 PM
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There are quite a few around here. My county one is horrible but the ones around are really great. I really should enter some of the county crafts.
www.fasterkittykill.blogspot.com
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2010 : 12:08:03 AM
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We have a very sweet little old fashioned county fair here. Adults are only allowed to enter 3 items..I usually enter a couple home canned things and a knitted or other needlecrafted item. 4H kids can enter as many items as they want. All four of my kids enter alot. Baked items, home canned, collections, framed drawings, sewn or crafted items of all kinds and veggies they grewin the garden. They all enter chickens and youngest daughter enters rabbits as well. Great fun..they look so forward to it..me too. Ours isn't until the last week of August but we are already thinking ahead to it. The blueberry jam I made last night looks like it would be a good entry.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
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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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2010 : 07:30:06 AM
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I always like going to our fair, although I have heard that the judging may not be completely partial. I always see a bunch of quilts, some knitting, and there is a weaving guild in the area so lots of that. I wonder how they decide who the judges are and if it's possible for "newcomers" to get involved.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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jill skane
True Blue Farmgirl
853 Posts
jill lillian
stacyville
maine
USA
853 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2010 : 08:07:54 AM
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| Use to go to the topsfield ma fair, close to my farm home in ma. this has become almost commercialized We have a 13 acrea farm in stacyville, me we looking forward to retiring soon purchased it 04, there are a # of fairs in that area he asked me just yesterday to check on the one in Presque Isle me. |
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tea_lady_tammy
True Blue Farmgirl
1485 Posts
Tammy
NE
USA
1485 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2010 : 7:36:52 PM
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County fairs are a big deal in Nebraska. My own county has a big one in August. Lots of quilts, cross stitch, etc. We show for 4-H as well. We love them.
blessings
Tammy
Tea is like being in the stars with God.
http://breathsoffaith.blogspot.com |
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smiley
True Blue Farmgirl
650 Posts
lea
pea ridge
arkansas
USA
650 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2010 : 8:03:37 PM
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| Ours is doing well also. I know its discouraging when you get a biased judge. Maybe you could find others to enter just for the thrill of seeing thier work displayed and build it back up? Our kids enter alot thru 4-h and this year the fair is going to make a move to Aug instead of Sept like its always been. We hope it will be a good call. My scrapbook won best of show last year (it was a cookbook) and my daughters was on her horsemanship and it went on to the state fair where it placed 2nd. Its all good fun. |
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Cindy Lou
True Blue Farmgirl
2325 Posts
Susan
Lonsdale
MN
USA
2325 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2010 : 8:52:04 PM
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There are some very good county fairs in MN. The neighboring county has the biggest county fair in the state, better than a lot of state fairs, I've heard. Our fairground is clean and well kept with good buildings. Some areas are diminishing but others are thriving. Photography, quilting and wine making are doing especially well. 4-H has declined a lot 1/2 in the last 10 years. Before then our 3 kids were members and the girls took 20-30 projects a year and were involved in a lot of 4-H activities. And a lot of the other kids were heavily involved. Now there are a lot fewer kids and many take only one or a few items.
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
Mary Oliver |
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2010 : 03:55:32 AM
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We don't have a county fair here.  Wish we did. My girls would love to enter some projects!
We do travel to one each year to see the rodeo & enjoy all the happenings. Wonder if we'll be able to squeeze it in this year. I know we'll miss it if we don't try. We camp nearby and head over every day. I better check the dates & let the hubby know. Thanks for reminding me!
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Farm Girl #790
http://www.xanga.com/My_Pondering_Place
https://twitter.com/EllieFunt
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2010 : 04:58:45 AM
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I love our fairs!! We plan and organize for them like we do for a vacation.....save money for the rides, pack snacks, set up our own sitting area, etc... My kids usually enter at least one animal and several homemaking items. So, we basically camp up there every day preparing and waiting for judgings.
Because of where we live in our county, we can participate in the County Fair and the East County Fair. Both have very good participation with the County being the largest. Last year the County Fair had 500 pigs and the East County Fair had 100 pigs. All the other categories have similar participation.
The County Fair is in April and the East County Fair is in October. So, we are always working on projects throughout the year. 4-H and Fairs are a huge part of our homeschooling.
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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pnickols
True Blue Farmgirl
808 Posts
Patricia
Parma
Ohio
808 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2010 : 4:36:06 PM
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| I love going to our county fair, reminds me of home, even though our county is mostly suburban or city we still have quite a variety of entries. Last year I entered three photos just for the heck of it. If I want a real good dose of farm we go farther out to the counties around us |
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Jeanna
True Blue Farmgirl
267 Posts
Jeanna
Franklin
NC
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2010 : 4:04:15 PM
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Our local county fair is still an old fashion Agriculture fair. What I mean is there are no rides and the like. Ours is dying in certain areas also. Such as needlecrafts and canning. One reason is no matter what you enter in certain categories unless your name is such and such you do not stand a chance. Now I have lived here my entire life and it just keeps getting worse. We do have a pretty big animal part to our fair considering the size. We always have show cattle and have in the past entered pigs, lambs, and rabbits. The animal part is not nearly as political as the other parts. We also go to the Mountain State Fair held in Asheville, NC and then to the State Fair held in Raleigh. Those are still going strong. Of course many people come to those just to ride rides or go to the concerts. All of these fairs are held in September and October so we still have some time before them.
Jeanna
Farmgirl Sister #41
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.
Henry David Thoreau |
Edited by - Jeanna on Jul 07 2010 4:05:36 PM |
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kittykill
True Blue Farmgirl
608 Posts
Pam
Portland
or
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2010 : 6:15:54 PM
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I grew up in Chapel Hill. I miss the state fair in North Carolina so much. I have such fond memories.
www.fasterkittykill.blogspot.com
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OneCraftyBugger
True Blue Farmgirl
626 Posts
R
USA
626 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2010 : 7:08:16 PM
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We have a huge county fair, http://www.topsfieldfair.org
Its so much fun and a tradition that I never miss. If you check out my blog BellaSays you can see the tomatoe I entered and won the ribbion for largest tomatoe :)
Rose, they list all the catagories and guide lines on line.If your thinking of entering, I am not sure if you can send it in or if you have to drop it off. But if you are interested and it must be droped of in person I would be happy to bring something to the fair grounds for you if you ship your entry to me. When the fair is over I will ship your item back to you along with your winning ribbion! :) I dont think you have to live in Mass to enter, I know people bring their giant pumpkins from all over, but you may want to double check.
Oh happy day! Farmgirl sister #1485
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFeltedGnome
http://bellasaysitsso.blogspot.com/
http://theswappingcrafter.blogspot.com/ |
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Across the Fence: County Fairs |
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County Fairs
