At the county fair

~ At The Country Fair ~

Every year when the end of July rolls around there is always a frantic, mad rush at my house. Why, you ask? Well, that's a good question. I still haven't completely figured it out myself.

July 29th - August 3rd is fair time around here. I've competed in our County Fair for the last two years with everything from chickens to pickled peppers. This last year I entered over seventy items and received approximately 15 white, or third place ribbons, 19 red, or second place ribbons, 26 blue, or first place ribbons, two grand champion ribbon, and one Best of Show ribbon.

Here are some of the things I entered: Canned Goods: cucumber relish, a herb vinegar, raspberry jelly, chokecherry jelly, strawberry jam, blackberry jam, peach jam, blueberry jam, apple butter, salsa, blueberry syrup, sauerkraut, peach pie filling, watermelon pickles, pickled peppers, pears, sweet and sour sauce and bread and butter pickles. The above items I canned either last fall or just this year.

In the gift category: a cookie mix in a jar, dry soup mix in a jar, a meal in a jar (soup), a meal in a jar (spaghetti sauce), a homemade bread collection basket and a collection of six jams/jellies in a gift basket.

In sewing: an ethnic costume (pioneer dress with an apron) and an separate apron in the 'work apron' category (I didn't get much sewing done for the fair, ran out of time!).

In crafts, an acrylic painting, a garden bench I painted, a birdhouse I painted, a glass jar I painted, a homemade candle (rose scented) and some scrapbook pages I've made.

In the Flowers category, bachelors buttons, balsam, plumed celosia, cosmos, dianthus, marigolds, nasturtium, nicotiana, pansy's, petunias, an unusual variety of salvia, verbena, viola, zinnias, strawflowers, coreopsis, ornamental grass, globe amaranth and an amaranthus variety called 'Love-Lies-Bleeding' (this is what won grand champion). This year I grew nine large flower gardens with lots and lots of flowers, most of which I grew from seed in my greenhouse (remember, I worked at a nursery for the last three years so I learned a lot there).

In the vegetables category, I entered a winter squash, red potatoes, yellow beans, green beans, Brussels sprouts, green cabbage, garlic, red onions, green peppers, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, slicing cucumbers, pickling cucumbers and a Hubbard squash. The rest of my vegetables, unfortunately, weren't ready.

In the herbs category, I entered large-leafed Italian basil, cilantro, curly parsley, flat leaf parsley, calendula and yarrow (I did get more herbs planted this year, I just ran out of time to enter them. I also planted lavender, marjoram, peppermint, oregano, purple basil, chives, lemon balm and St. Johns wort).

I also entered a 'weed exhibit.' To do that I find, identify, press and display weeds as an educational project.

In the poultry barn, I entered some of our Rhode Island red chickens, black Australorp, Americana and barred rock breeds.

As you can see, this whole fair thing is quite an experience. I didn't mention my baking entries and other categories (I'm trying not to bore you too much here).

I would say the strangest thing I entered in this year would be in the 'Dress a Chicken' competition. "Dress a chicken?" you ask. Yup. ;o) Sounds pretty interesting, dosen't it? For the competition, I got creative and sewed a teapot costume for my chicken, complete with a handle, spout and lid! It was pretty simple, actually.

Here's what I did: I cut a long piece of fabric about a foot wide, and after hemming it sewed double lines along each long end. Then I threaded a ribbon through each 'pocket,' pulling up the ends tight to make neck and feet holes for my poor chicken. For the spout and handle, I cut out the shapes on cardboard, hot-glued tin foil on to make the parts rounded like a real handle and spout, covered them in white material and stuck them on the front and back of the 'body.' For the lid, I cut out a circle, hemmed and sewed double lines around again, pulling a ribbon through and pulling it tight to make like a mob cap. Then I put a ball in the middle of it and wrapped the material around it, making a handle.

Finally it was time to dress my victim, er...chicken. ;o) I stuffed the poor bird in the material 'body,' making sure not to rip off the spout and handle. Then I stuffed the inside with wadded newspaper, making the chicken appear 'round.' For the finishing touch, I tied her 'lid' on her head, all the while trying to make sure she didn't peck me! I got her out to the place where the competition was held, and saw all of the other very creative costumes. The other chickens were dressed in outfits such as cowboys, hula dancers, sheriffs, mother goose, dressed in doll clothes and I don't' remember what else. In all, I'd say there were maybe 20 - 25 people competing.

The competition was great fun, with much laughter and giggles. The audience was kept interested by the announcer asking 'chicken' questions, and sharing bits of trivia as well. Well, do you wonder who won?

Yeah, you guessed it. Me. :o)

For County Fair 2004, I plan to enter other items like tatting, knitting, crocheting, much more sewing, stamped cards, and much much more!!!

If you are able to enter in county fairs where you live, I encourage you to do so! Its great fun, and is also a great way to meet other people with the same interests!!

In His Name,

Terra