Southeast District Fair Home Economics entries accepted Sunday, Sept. 30

By the U of A System Division of Agriculture
September 20, 2018

Fast facts:

Entry forms available at Jefferson County Extension Office
Complete fair catalog: http://www.sedistrictfair.com/Home/Fair_Book

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PINE BLUFF, Ark. – The 79^th Southeast Arkansas District Fair will be accepting individual educational Home Economics exhibits on Sunday, Sept. 30, from 1 p.m.-6 p.m. at Hestand Stadium Fairgrounds.

The fairgrounds are located at 420 N. Blake Street in Pine Bluff.

Residents from 17 Southeast Arkansas counties are eligible to enter the SEARK District Fair. They are: Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Cleveland, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Faulkner, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Lonoke, Ouachita, Prairie, and White County. Residents are encouraged to enter clean, quality, new items made or completed during the past year. They do not have to win Grand or Reserve Awards at their county fairs because new judges will be at the District Fair.

“The Jefferson County Extension Homemakers have already judged 10 county fairs and are gearing up to volunteer as assistant superintendents at the SEARK District Fair,” said Mary Ann Kizer, Jefferson County extension agent for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the fair’s Home Economics superintendent.

Debbie James, Home Economics Assistant Superintendent, reported that county fair entries are up in most counties, especially in the Craft Division.

Home Economics Fair Entry Forms and entry tags are available in advance at the Jefferson County Extension Office located at 500 S. Idaho Street in Pine Bluff. Call (870) 534-1033 for details. Complete fair catalog is at http://www.sedistrictfair.com/Home/Fair_Book.

Home Economics Departments and Assistant Superintendents are:

Art – Bettye Johnson, Sheila Childers, Claudia Clark, Karen Gray, Vicki Inich and Kathy Rodgers
Baked Goods – Marynell Cardin, Dixie Fritz and Nancy Rosen
Crafts, Adults- Joyce Johnson, Delores Kelley, Linda Murray, Brenda Robinson, Jodi Stout and Barbra Freeman
Crafts, Youth – Connie Herrin, Dot Hart, Cathy Lewis and Kaye Richardson
Creative Stitchery – Cherie and John Aronowitz
Crochet and Knitting – Debbie James and Patsy Brown
Food Preservation and Honey – Karen Fox, Vivian Gerlach, Kaye Green, Carolyn and Ray Harness, Sandy Smith and Debbie Staton
Needlework and Sewing – Sarah Payton and Lynda Toler
Photography – Jo Ann Carr, Marnette Reed and Elizabeth Wall
Quilts – Sue Womack and Dianna Winfree
Woodworking and Home Furnishings – Jeanette Banks, Audra Armstrong, Margaret Thomas and Linda Works
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).

Entry rules must be followed in order for entries to be accepted.

Carr reminds photographers that Photography entry photographs must be 8” x 10” and matted within an 11” x 14” matte. They must have a stiff backing no thicker than matte board. No frames or glass are allowed for the photography class.

On the other hand, Johnson said that Art entries must be framed and ready to hang.

The Pine Bluff Quilt Guild will assist with the Quilt Division. Quilts should be completed during the past year. Hand and machine quilts are separate divisions.

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. Pies, cinnamon rolls, breads and many other foods may be entered in food preparation.

Interest continues to grow in the Food Preservation Division. Ray Harness said that Dried Meats are a new division. Only clear glass jars will be accepted so the quality of fruit and vegetables can be judged without opening the jars. Lids will be removed to check the seal and packing distance. Ball/Kerr awards will be receiving gift cards from Newell Brands Inc.

Home Economics fair entries must be picked up on Sunday, Oct. 7, between 1-3 p.m.

The Home Economics buildings will be open nightly beginning Tuesday at 5 p.m. and during Senior Citizens and Youth Day, Thursday, Oct. 4.

Jefferson County Extension Homemakers Club members will hostess each night, including Willing Workers of White Hall - Tuesday; Heart-N-Hands – Wednesday and Friday; Camden Road and Grace Willing Workers – Thursday; Lunch Bunch and New Horizons - Saturday.

Area residents in surrounding counties are encouraged to bring their families and friends to enjoy the home economics exhibits, livestock, carnival rides, and rodeo during the SEARK District Fair.

For more information, contact Mary Ann Kizer at (870) 534-1033 or mkizer@uada.edu.

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.

Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.

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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu