Jefferson County Extension Homemakers and Master Gardeners will accept Home Economics and Horticulture Individual Educational exhibits for the 86th annual Southeast Arkansas District Fair from 2-6 p.m. Sept. 21 at Hestand Stadium.
The district fair will be held from Sept. 23-27. The carnival will be open Sept. 23-27 and the rodeo will be Sept. 26-27, according to a news release.
Meanwhile, home economics participants can boost their holiday savings accounts by entering items in the Home Economics or Horticulture Departments at the fair. People can bring their district fair items to this fair without entering or winning at a county fair.
“Your hard work canning, crafting, sewing, baking, watering plants, etc., can pay off with ribbons and prize money,” according to the release.
Residents from 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 Pulaski.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Home Economics Departments are the same as the past 19 years, according to Mary Ann Kizer, Jefferson County Family and Consumer Sciences agent and Jefferson County Extension Homemakers Clubs adviser.
Debbie James is serving as Home Economics superintendent, Southeast Arkansas District Fair Livestock Association board member and JCEHC council president. James is assisted by Delores Kelley, livestock association secretary and JCEHC treasurer.
Grand prize winners will receive additional prize money in several categories including Adults – $100, Juniors – $75 and Youth – $50, sponsored by Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion Commission.
Home Economics Departments and assistant superintendents are:
• Art — Claudia Clark, Karen Gray, and Jo Segars.
• Baked Goods — Susan Carolan and Nancy Rosen.
• Crafts, Adults — Barbra Freeman, Joyce Johnson, Delores Kelley, Peyton King, Linda Murray and Brenda Robinson.
• Crafts, Youth — Connie Herrin, Kaye Richardson, Lori Rositti and Jenny Wright.
• Creative Stitchery and Sewing — Sarah Payton.
• Crochet and Knitting — Terri Penna and Sandy Smith.
• Food Preservation and Honey — Jody Stout and Frances Smith.
• Photography — Jo Ann Carr, Tonia Daby and Marnette Reed.
• Quilts — Patsy Brown, Brenda Hendrix and Dianna Winfree.
• Woodworking, Home Furnishings — Audrey Armstrong, Kathryn Brown and Margaret Thomas.
• Youth, Juniors, and Adult with Disabilities — Dee Kindrick.
The Horticulture Superintendent is Teki Hunt, with assistant superintendents Dot Hart and Miriam Lester.
Departments are:
• Ornamental Horticulture — Flowers and Floral Arrangements, Potted or Hanging Ornamental Plants.
• Horticulture — Fruits, Vegetables and Nuts.
Categories include: Youth (12 years and under), Junior (13 to 18 years) and Adult (19 years and up).
Kizer and James remind clients to save time by completing entry forms and entry tags before coming to the fairgrounds. Contact your local Extension office for entry forms and tags.
Carr reminds photographers 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. The photography contest does not accept frames or glass.
Home Economics Individual Educational Entries will be judged Sept. 22. Judging is closed to the public.
Quilts may be hand or machine quilted. The Food Preparation category accepts edible baked goods that will be tasted for quality. Only six cookies are needed to enter the cookie division. New this year, food preparation items may be picked up Sept. 22 in the afternoon after judging.
Only clear glass jars will be accepted in the Food Preservation category so the quality of fruit and vegetables can be judged without opening the jars. Be sure rims are free of rust and not painted.
Home Economics and Horticulture fair entries must be picked up on Sept. 28 between 2-5 p.m.
Sept. 23 from 6-8 p.m., Troy DeBill is teaching a Pumpkin painting class. The cost is $20 per person. Call (870) 534-1033 to pre-register or mail check to JCEHC, 509 West St., White Hall, AR 71602.
Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., enjoy the Community Health Fair & Pre-School Day in the Business Building. The Audubon Society will assist in making bird feeders, Trinity Episcopal Church will teach sand art and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Delta Rivers Nature Center will host an exhibit. Free hot dog lunch will be provided by FBT Bank, Relyance Bank and Simmons Bank. Nursing students will provide free blood pressure screenings. The Pine Bluff Diamond Line Dancers and Steve and Friends Band will entertain.
Sept. 26 includes a Pecan Bake Off Contest with entries in cakes, pies, cookies, quick bread, and candy accepted from 5-5:45 p.m. Judging will begin at 6 p.m. with awards after judging.
“Bring your recipe without a name on it to turn in with your pecan entry,” according to a news release.
Friday at 6:30 p.m. Timothy Wallace will teach a Christmas Wreath Making Workshop. The cost is $25 and class size is limited to 20 participants. Call (870) 534-1033 to preregister.
A Quilts of Valor presentation will be held Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. Recipients will be announced prior to the ceremony.
Kizer and James invite all district residents in the 17 counties to bring their families and friends to enjoy the individual educational home economics and horticulture exhibits and events during the 86th Annual Southeast Arkansas District Fair from Sept. 23-27.
For entry forms and tags, visit your local Extension Office. Jefferson County Extension Office is located at 500 S. Idaho St. Phone (870) 534-1033 or email mkizer@uada.edu. Entry tags will be available at check-in Sept. 21.