The 77th annual Southeast Arkansas District Fair will accept individual educational home economics exhibits from 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at Hestand Stadium fairgrounds. The fair will be held Sept. 27 through Oct. 1.
Residents in the following counties are eligible to enter the district fair — Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Cleveland, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Faulkner, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Lonoke, Ouachita, Prairie and White.
During fair week, Extension homemakers from Grant County will serve as hostesses during Senior Citizens and Youth Day, Thursday, Sept. 29.
Jefferson County Extension Homemakers Club members will be hostesses with White Hall Willing Workers, Tuesday; Grace Willing Workers and Heart-N-Hands, Wednesday; Heart-N-Hands, Thursday; Camden Road, Friday; and Lunch Bunch and Heart-N-Hands, Saturday.
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. She is assisted by Debbie James and Bettye Johnson.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Home economics departments and assistant superintendents are:
• Needlework and sewing – Elizabeth Crosby, Deloris Dilbeck and Sarah Payton
• Creative stitchery – Cherie Aronowitz, Patsy Brown, Kay Herrin, Debbie James, Diane Winfree and Sue Womack
• Crafts, adults – Joyce Johnson, Delores Kelley, Linda Murray, and Brenda Robinson
• Crafts, youth – Kathryn Brown, Barbara Freeman, Connie Herrin, Joyce Johnson, Cathy Lewis, Kaye Richardson, and Elizabeth Wall
• Woodworking and home furnishings – Jeanette Banks and Warna Turner
• Photography – Jo Ann Carr, Betty Lacy, and Marnette Reed
• Art – Bettye Johnson, Carolyn Keedy, Margaret Thomas and Linda Works
• Food preservation and honey – Dana Barraclough, Karen Fox, Vivian Gerlach, Kaye Green, Carolyn Harness, Ray Harness, Patsy Powers, Judy Simmons and Doris Tubeville
• Baked goods– Marynell Cardin, Dixie Fritz, Nancy Rosen and Rosa Wilburn
• Youth, juniors, and adults with disabilities– Dee Kindrick and Donna McGowan
Divisions include: Youth (12 years and under), Junior (13 to 18 years) and Adult (19 years and up).
Carr reminds participants that photography entries must be 8” x 10” and matted within an 11” x 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 Monday, Sept. 26. Each entry will receive a blue, red, or white ribbon and a monetary award.
The Pine Bluff Quilt Guild will assist with the quilt division. Quilts should be completed during the past year. Hand and machine quilts are accepted.
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.
Interest continues to grow in the Food Preservation Division. 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 from 1-3 p.m.Sunday, Oct. 2.
Kizer invites all district residents to enjoy the individual educational home economics exhibits during the fair Sept. 27 to Oct. 1.
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons without discrimination.