Weekly Column by Johanna Hicks for September 13th, 2019: Excitement Building for Fall Festival Creative Arts Contest

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Fall Festival Creative Arts Contest

               Interest is building for the Creative Arts Contest!  Last month, I gave information about the Arts & Crafts Show, in which vendors sell their hand-crafted items.  This week, I’m focusing on the Creative Arts Contest, which is just as it says – a contest.

               All Hopkins County residents are invited to enter this event.  There are numerous categories (outlined below), and there is an age division to suit everyone.  Entries must not have been entered previously, and must have been made within the past year (September, 2018 thru October, 2019).  Individuals may enter as many categories as they wish.  The entry fee is just $1 per person, which helps defray the cost of expenses.  Students entering as a class and 4-H members do not have to pay.

               The contest will take place in the Sulphur Springs High School Conference center.  Entries may be taken directly to the high school on Thursday, October 24, between 4:30 and 6:00 p.m., or Friday, October 25 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.  No entries will be taken after this time unless approved by the registration committee.  You may also take entries to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Hopkins County Office, 1200 W. Houston, Monday, October 21^st thru Wednesday, October 23^rd between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

               Judging will take place on Friday, October 25 starting at 10:00 a.m.  Best of Show and Reserve Best of Show winners will be selected from blue ribbon winners in each category and age division, for a potential of 8 winners in each of the 12 categories.  All entries will be on display to the public on the conclusion of the judging – approximately 1:30 p.m. till 5:00 p.m. on Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.  Please note:  pictures of Best of Show and Reserve Best of Show recipients will be made at 1:30 p.m.  Winners will not be notified, so please be aware of the time.  Following pictures, all entries may be picked up.

               Below is a list of categories and classes:

1. Art – entries must be suitable for hanging, except children’s entries: oil, water color, pen & ink, rub out, pencil, acrylic, paper tole, crayon, spray paint, chalk
2. Bake Show – please bring items in disposable containers.  Entries requiring refrigeration will not be accepted for food safety purposes.  All entries will be sampled by judges, so food safety is of utmost importance.  Baked items will be discarded at the conclusion of the exhibits hours unless picked up.  Items will be judges on flavor, appearance, color, and texture.  Classes include: breads (six if entering sweet rolls, muffins, biscuits, or dinner rolls); Cakes; Pies; Cookies (6); candy (6 pieces)
3. Clothing  – Soiled items will not be accepted.  Please bring on hangers, if applicable.  Classes include: After-five; Children’s Wear; Everyday living; Wearable Art (must have made or decorated the item) – shirt/t-shirt, jacket, vest, miscellaneous
4. Creative Crafts – no kits allowed except in youth and children’s divisions.  Classes include: crafts (plastics, candles, leather, metal, misc.); Ceramics; Stained glass; painted household accessories; Miscellaneous (collage, glass, mosaic, paper mâché, scrap art, other
5. Decorated Cakes – will not be cut!  Judged on appearance, difficulty, originality, and workmanship.  All entries not picked up at end of the public viewing will be discarded.
6. Food Preservation – all containers must be official canning jars.  Foods processed in mayonnaise jars, pickle jars, etc., will not be judged.  All exhibits must be clean, rust-free, and in unbroken jars.  Two-piece canning lids must be used.  Items must have been canned within the last 12 months and will be judged on quality of product, pack uniformity, container, consistency, and general appearance.  Jars will not be opened and tasted.  Classes include: canned vegetables, canned fruit, jams, preserves, fruit butters, jellies, pickles, relish, pickled vegetables, dehydrated foods, and miscellaneous (honey, vinegars, juices, etc.)
7. Handiwork – classes include: knitting, crochet, embroidery, needlepoint, sewn items (other than clothing), beadwork, beaded jewelry, other fabric/fiber work (weaving, macramé, string art)
8. Holiday/seasonal – classes include: Christmas (card holders, stockings, aprons, tree ornaments, tree skirt, wall hanging, centerpiece, misc.), tablecloths (any holiday/season), decorations (other then Christmas), wreath/door hanging, nativity scenes
9. Horticulture – entry must have been possession of exhibitor for the 3 months prior to the fair.  Each entry must be grown in Hopkins County.  Exhibitor will be responsible for upkeep of their entry during the fair.  No artificial plants accepted.  Classes include: agriculture (vegetables, fruits, other (nuts, acorns, etc.); cut flowers; potted plants; hanging baskets; succulents; dried; gourds, herbs
10. Photography – All photos should be appropriately mounted, matted or framed.  Size must be 5 X 7 or larger.  No professional entries accepted.  Easels may be brought for display purposes or be ready for hanging with wire, string or hook. Categories include: Portrait, Scenic, Still Life, Animals, People, Special Effects, Floral, Architectural, or grouping (two or more photos in a multi-photo frame).  All classes are available in black & white and color.
11. Quilts – classes include: Hand-quilted; Machine-quilted; multi-stitch (combination of hand and machine quilting); Baby Quilts; Quilted Items (wall hangings, table runners, pillows)
12. Woodworking – Classes include: Kits; Inlaid wood (inlays of metal, pearl, etc.); Mosaic wood art; Furniture; Wall hangings; Wood Carving; Yard Art; Rustic Art (items made from barn wood, tree limbs, etc.); Birdhouses; Toys

We also have a separate division for residents in Assisted Living and Nursing Home Facilities, with 12 categories.

               Age divisions are: Children (ages 10 and under); Youth (ages 11-19); Adult (ages 20-69); Older Texans (70 and above).  We hope to beat last year’s 279 entries!  We are Hopkins County strong!

Diabetes Support Group

               This group meets the 4^th Tuesday of each month at 12:00 noon, at the Extension Office.  Sue Potts, RN and Diabetes Educator, facilitates the meeting and encourages anyone with diabetes (and their loved ones, friends, and neighbors) to attend.  There is no charge, but the information and encouragement you receive is priceless.  If you have questions, contact our office at 903-885-3443.

Closing Thought

Ideas are a dime a dozen.  People who put them into action are priceless – unknown

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