The 2019 Blaine County Fair Offers New Open Class Entry Opportunities
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The Blaine County Fairgrounds have gotten a little greener. New grass has been installed in between the 4-H building and the Flag Poles and is a colorful sight for visitors entering the grounds. A lot of work has been put in at the fairgrounds in preparation for this years Blaine County Fair. In addition to yearly repairs and equipment updates the Rodeo Arena has had brand new Bucking Chutes installed and will be on display this Friday and Saturday during the Bear Paw Roundup. While the picture above is free of people, the fairgrounds will become a bustling little city, beginning this afternoon as the fair gets underway.
By the time the fair opens on Thursday, July 4, exhibitors will have spent countless hours preparing their entries, hoping to win premium ribbons, bragging rights, or simply the personal satisfaction that comes with accomplishment. This year, the Blaine County Fair will offer four new open class entry opportunities to potential exhibitors.
Three of the new categories: Cake Decorating, Knife Skills, and Culinary Education will be available in the Culinary Department where Hope Hamilton serves as department superintendent. Another new category will be featured in superintendent Carol Warburton's Home Arts Department: Home Arts Education. All new entries will offer adult (anyone 18 years of age or older), junior (ages 13-17), and youth (twelve years old or younger) divisions. Entries in these departments close at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.
In the Culinary Department, the Cake Decorating class does not require the decoration of an actual cake. For example, competitors may frost and decorate boxes, Styrofoam shapes, or overturned cake pans. Entries will be judged on quality and artistry of decoration. Artisans will have eight lots from which to select: 9" x 13"; Round, one layer; Round, two layer; Sculpted Cake; Cupcake; Cupcake Grouping (two or more used to create a single, larger shape); Miscellaneous; and Other.
Entrants' creative carving abilities will be on display in the Knife Skills category which will feature sculpted fruits and/or vegetables. This Class will be accepting entries in ten lots: Cucumber Boat, Flower (any fruit or vegetable), Fruit Bouquet, Orange Basket, Radish Flowers, Rind Carving, Vegetable Bouquet, Watermelon Basket (unfilled), Other, and Miscellaneous.
The final new category in the Culinary Department, Culinary Education, will feature educational displays and demonstrations pertaining to the Culinary Arts. Educational Displays are intended to inform the general public about a current concern or interest within the Culinary Arts.
Anyone willing to present a demonstration is encouraged to sign up for a time by visiting the Fair Office located at 300 Cleveland Road West in Chinook or by calling 357-2988. First to come will be first served. Demonstrations should last between fifteen – thirty minutes and will take place in the Ag Hall. More than one person may participate in a demonstration, but each demonstration may only be entered once. Demonstration exhibitors must have an item for display purposes in the Ag Hall before and following the time of demonstration. Five lots are available for these entries: Culinary Safety Display, Culinary Safety Demonstration, Educational Display – Poster, Educational Display – Other, and Culinary Demonstration.
A similar process will be made available in the Home Arts Department with the new category Home Arts Education. This category will feature educational displays and demonstrations pertaining to the Home Arts and intending to inform or educate the general public about a current concern or interest within that area. Nine lots are available: Home Safety Display, Home Safety Demonstration, Educational Display – Poster, Educational Display – Other, Sewing Demonstration, Needle Required Demonstration (such as Needlework, Cross Stitch, Crewel), No-Sew Craft Demonstration, Holiday Themed Demonstration, Any Other Demonstration.
The Fair Board hopes that these new opportunities will generate additional entries and enthusiasm for the fair. Fair Office Manager, Bonnie Ortner, who is responsible for all open class entries, explained that these ideas stem from an ongoing effort to increase participation in the Blaine County Fair and in the Ag Hall in particular.
"With the earlier July fair schedule, we have seen a definite decrease in open class entries, especially where crops and vegetables are concerned, and I really would like to see the Ag Hall flourish again. I started the demonstrations last year by inviting several people to demonstrate their handicrafts and encouraged people to either participate or to come by and watch," Ortner said.
"This year I thought I might be able to increase activity and interest in the Ag Hall by offering the opportunity for community members to enter demonstrations of their own. This is not a judged competition; every demonstration will receive a participation ribbon and a $5 premium for presenting. Eventually, I'd love to see a different demonstration every half hour, but this year I'm hoping for one every hour the Ag Hall is open," she added.
