Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Before tucking the hand- knit sweater away until December, perhaps the garment intended as a grandson's holiday gift deserves a summer airing - in the open adult knitting, class 2 division 202, hand-knit child's sweater or vest.
The Home and Family Arts Department is open to anyone, including 4-H'ers.
"People may not be aware anyone can make an entry," said Extension educator and open class adviser Joan Younce. "You don't have to be a member of an extension club."
Participants don't have to be members of 4-H, either. Last year one family entered five generations with exhibits.
Articles never exhibited before or made since the last fair are perfect for the open adult classes. There are no entry fees.
Entries should be brought to the Home and Family Arts building at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds June 29 from 8 to 11 a.m. Someone else may drop off an exhibit, marked with the maker's name, address and telephone number.
The building is open to the public from June 30 through July 6 from noon until 9 p.m.
Departments include agriculture (grain, hay, vegetables, root crops, potatoes, fruit and scarecrows), herb (mint, basil, all other herbs and a youth class), arts (everything from oils to charcoal and any other art, with three age categories), handicrafts (wood, dolls, ceramics, pioneer crafts, handmade artificial flowers, nature crafts, models, miscellaneous crafts, handicrafts and photography), foods (cakes, decorated cake, cookies, yeast bread, quick bread, candy, snacks and diabetic baking), food preservation (canned vegetables, meats and fruit, pickles, relishes and miscellaneous, jams, jellies and dried foods), clothing (items made for toddlers, children and adults), garden flowers and plants (roses, garden flowers, arrangements in floral foam and container plants) and needlework (quilts, knitting, crochet, embroidery, needlepoint and counted cross stitch).
Most of the departments have divisions for children and others have professional divisions.
This year local crafters will present their skills during regular demonstrations in the Home and Family Arts Building.
Younce expects to see more green onions and radishes in the vegetable department since the fair is so early.
"Last year we had 900 exhibits in all departments," she said, acknowledging that's a big drop over the last 20 years.
"A lot of people don't sew or preserve foods anymore," she said. "Or people think 'mine's not good enough.'"
But they are good enough, the educator said, and it's nice to see what a beginner does.
There is a category for recycled articles, like blue jeans made into a purse.
Amateurs won't have to compete against professionals in the art, foods, clothing, garden flowers or plants department.
There is an "any other kind" or miscellaneous category in each class.
Canners must follow USDA rules, which Younce can provide if the canner is not sure of proper procedures.
A representative of the Ball Corp. presents a prize to the top canner.
The top three exhibits in all departments receive ribbons and are eligible for exhibition at the Indiana State Fair.
"Best of show" in each department receive a monetary award of $5.
Program books are available at the Extension Office, basement of the Kosciusko County Courthouse.
For more information, call 372-2340.
