The 75th annual District Livestock Show and Rodeo will accept individual educational Home Economics exhibits on today from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Hestand Stadium Fairgrounds located at 420 N. Blake St.
Residents from 17 Southeast Arkansas counties are eligible to enter the SEARK District Fair. Counties include Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Cleveland, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Faulkner, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Lonoke, Ouachita, Prairie and White.
The Home Economics departments correspond with the Arkansas State Fair, according to Mary Ann Kizer, Jefferson County family and consumer sciences agent and Home Economics superintendent.
Home Economics departments and their assistant superintendents are:
• Needlework and Sewing – Elizabeth Crosby, Deloris Dilbeck, Sarah Payton and Mary Smith
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
• Creative Stitchery – Cherie Aronowitz, Suzanne Hulse and Sue Womack
• Crafts – Jeanette Banks, Connie Herrin, Deloris Kelley, Debbie James, Joyce Johnson, Linda Murray, Kaye Richardson, Brenda Robinson, Elizabeth Wall and Marjorie Zuber
• Photography – Jo Ann Carr and Marnette Reed
• Art – Bettye B. Johnson, Carolyn Keedy, Becky Oldenberg and Kathy Rogers
• Food Preservation and Honey – Wanda Carr, Karen Fox, Kaye Green, Carolyn Harness, Ray Harness, Tabitha Herrington, Patsy Powers, Judy Simmons and Doris Tubeville
• Baked Goods – Marynell Cardin, Judy Cox, Dixie Fritz, Nancy Rosen, Linda Toler and Linda Works
• Youth, Juniors, and Adults with Disabilities – Dee Kindrick
Divisions include youth (12 years and under), junior (13 to 18 years) and adult (19 years and up).
Carr reminds photographers that photography entries must be 8-by-10 and matted within an 11-by-14 mat. They must have a stiff backing no thicker than mat board. No frames or glass are allowed for photography.
Home Economics individual educational entries will be judged on Monday, Sept. 29. Each entry will receive a blue, red, or white ribbon. Checks for monetary awards will be mailed after the fair closes.
Quilts are among the favorite exhibits at the fair. They are works of art and involve many hours of hand sewing. The Pine Bluff Quilt Guild will hang quilts from rods near the ceiling and on racks. They will be ready for viewing when the fair opens Tuesday, Sept. 30.
The food preparation category edible baked goods will be tasted for quality. Only six cookies are needed to enter the cookie division. Cakes must be entered whole but may be picked up after judging with only a few slices left for display.
The amateur cake decorating division allows the use of cake mixes, props, and dummies. Cakes should be exhibited on a disposable base and will be judged on appearance only.
Interest is growing in food preservation. Only clear glass jars will be accepted so the quality of fruit and vegetables can be judged without opening the jars. Ball/Kerr awards will be receiving gift cards from Jarden Home Brands.
Home Economics fair entries must be picked up on Sunday, Oct. 5, between 1 and 3 p.m.
During fair week, Extension Homemakers from Grant County will serve as hostesses during Senior Citizens and Youth Day, Thursday, Oct. 2.
Jefferson County Extension Homemaker Club members will serve as hostesses each night, with White Hall Willing Workers serving Tuesday; members-at-large and line dancers on Wednesday; Grace Willing Workers on Thursday; Camden Road on Friday; and Lunch Bunch on Saturday.
Kizer invites all district residents to bring their families and friends to enjoy the individual educational home economics exhibits during the 75th Annual Southeast Arkansas District Fair.
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.