07/06/12 Although the Marshall County Fair week (July 15-21) is just around the corner, the superintendents of the Open Class displays are still welcoming entries of craft, foods, and sewing projects. According to Jane Yochum, co-superintendent for the Open Class, they usually average 400-500 exhibits from 125-150 exhibitors. Yochum has been overseeing the exhibits for the past 8 years. Helping her is Co-superintendent Karen McCartney.
Those wanting to enter items in a variety of categories can register up until noon on July 14. Yochum said, “We use the Argos town whistle as our official stopping point.” Entry forms are available in the Exhibits Guide, from the Marshall County Extension Office, or online at www.ag.Purdue.edu/counties/Marshall.
Categories include: Basic crafts, Christmas at the Fair, fine arts (original works), needle art, quilts, clothing & sewing, foods (cookies, breads, cakes, pies, candies, and cake decorating), food preservation, plants and flowers , and gardening.
Yochum said, “We don’t give out monetary awards, but winners do have bragging rights.”
According to Yochum, the judging is done under a criterion reference, meaning judges follow written criteria for each category. Stickers of different colors are awarded and several exhibitors can achieve blue, red or white stickers. Additionally, champions, reserve champion, best of show and superintendent’s choice culminate the judging.
Yochum can be contacted at 936-5418. An answering machine is in place at that number if she is unavailable and calls will be returned. She said, “We always welcome volunteers as well.
Carol Anders
