The 73rd annual Southeast Arkansas District Fair is approaching and this year, the fair has been prepped to be the best in its history with new constructional improvements to the fairgrounds allowing for easy entry and exiting to the fairground property, according to officials.
The Master Gardeners of Jefferson County and the Fair Board have made major improvements in their display areas for horticulture crops. The new display tables will offer a great exhibit area where visitors can view the entries better than ever. Participants are invited to gather up their fruits, flowers, and vegetables and get them entered on Sept. 23 or early on Sept. 24.
Categories and entry rules are provided below.
Exhibit rules and regulations
Horticulture/Field Crops: Includes all horticulture items such as vegetables, fruits, legumes and seeds grown in a garden, field, or orchard as listed below.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
• There will be a Junior and Senior Division.
• An exhibitor may display up to five varieties in any one class. For example: Hot Peppers-varieties: Jalapeno, Long thin Cayenne, Hungarian Wax, Serrano Chili, TAM-mild jalapeno, etc.
• Each entry must be acceptable quality to receive points based upon the opinion of the judges. Each entry will be judges according to merit. Plants not in clean containers will not be accepted.
• Unusual items will be judged separately. Unusual items are things not commonly grown in this area (bananas, lemons, oranges, etc.).
• Oddities are naturally misshapen items (only one entry per plate).
• Miscellaneous are items that will not fit into any other class.
• Point system: 1st – 3 points; 2nd – 2 points; 3rd – 1 point.
• Awards: blue, red, and white ribbons of 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, based upon individual merit of each entry. Best of Show ribbon for top entry in each class. Grand Award ribbon to overall winner in Junior and Senior Division.
• Exhibits may be entered on Sept. 23 from 1 to 4 p.m., and Sept. 24 from 7:45 to 10 a.m.
• Exhibits must stay in place for the entire show week (if not, penalty may apply). Exhibits must be picked up on Sept. 30 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Exhibits will be judged on the morning Sept. 24.
• Fair Association will not be responsible for exhibits or ribbons not picked up after Sept. 30.
Fruits and Vegetables Classes
*(please note number of items per display plate)
CLASSES
• Three apples
• One Cantaloupe
• Three cucumbers
• Dry Beans (1 pt. jar shelled)
• Dry Peas (1 pt. jar-shelled)
• Three Eggplants
• Eight Field Peas
• Greens (one bundle turnips, collards, etc.)
• One gourd
• Herbs (bundle-five variety)
• Three Irish potatoes
• Eight lima beans
• Five okra pods
• Three onions
• Peanut (1 qt.-unshelled)
• Three pears
• Five pecans (hulled-pecans, walnuts, etc.)
• Three peppers (hot or sweet)
• Three garlic pods
• One pumpkin
• Five radishes
• Eight snap beans
• Three squash
• 1 sunflower
• Three sweet potatoes
• Three ears sweet corn
• Three tomatoes
• Three turnips
• One watermelon
• One winter squash
• One miscellaneous
• One unusual item
• One persimmon
• Three zucchini
Ornamental horticulture
Flowers: Includes cut flowers, as well as flowering and non-flowering plants.
Class 1. — Any foliage or flowering plant in a hanging container. Size 4” to 12”. Basket must contain all hanging equipment with watering saucer attached. Name of plant should be on entry.
Class 2 — Any foliage or flowering plant in a container no larger than 3 gallon size with watering saucer. Name of plant should be on entry.
Class 3 — Single stem flower in container of your choice (additional water will be available). All cuttings will be disposed of as they pass their prime (vases and ribbons will be retained; only five entries per person.)
Class 4 — Single stem shrub cutting (maximum 12” above base) in container of your choice (additional water will be available). All cuttings will be disposed of as they pass their prime (containers and ribbons will be retained).
Floral arrangements: Includes arrangements, wreaths, wall hangings, etc., in which fresh flowers and greenery are used as a major part of the item.
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The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.