2015 OPEN CLASS
Family Arts Exhibits
Open Class - Farm and Home Center
General Rules
1. The Fair Board will be very careful in handling exhibits, but assumes no responsibility for loss
or damage.
2. Entries in the Farm and Home Center are limited to current residents of Decatur County or
any current member of a Decatur County Extension Homemaker Club.
3. All entries must be made by the exhibitor in the last two years and must not have been shown
before at the Decatur County Fair.
4. All exhibits should be shown ready to be used as intended.
5. All Foods exhibits must include recipe with entrant’s name written on the recipe.
6. Any late entries may be exhibited but will not be eligible for premiums.
7. Each exhibitor may make more than one entry in a class, (or subcategory), but can only win
on one entry per class. The entrant may win in more than one class per category. [An
exception is Photography – Exhibitors are limited to 1 (one) entry per person per class.]
8. Where there are fewer than three entries in a class, the judge shall determine which placing(s)
will be given. Any class having 10 entries or more may receive two sets of prizes.
9. There will be a grand champion rosette awarded for categories with a minimum of 10 entries.
Categories having less than 10 entries may be combined with a similar category and a grand
champion awarded over the combined categories. Judges may award a reserve grand
champion rosette in a category at their discretion. An entrant will not be eligible to receive a
grand and reserve grand champion rosette in the same category.
10. Release times for exhibits will be Thursday, July 16 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday,
July 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Exhibits will be the responsibility of the exhibitor after
that time. Premium monies will be given at this time. Everything left will be taken to the
Decatur County Extension Office, where they may be picked up at your convenience along
with premium monies.
11. All premiums unless otherwise noted will be: 1st - $2.00; 2nd - $1.50; 3rd - $1.00. Rosettes
will be awarded to grand champion winners.
12. Decatur County does not pay for or make entries of any open class exhibits for the State Fair.
Anyone who pays the entry fee and submits the appropriate forms in a timely fashion may
exhibit at the State Fair.
CRAFTS
Early Entry (Non Perishable, only) Wednesday, July 8, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Entry Date Thursday, July 9, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Judging will begin at 12:00 p.m.
DASHING THRU THE SEASONS
Class 1 - Valentine
Class 2 - Spring & Easter
Class 3 - Summer & Patriotic
Class 4 - Halloween
Class 5 - Christmas
a. Ornaments
b. Wall decorations
c. Other
Class 6 - Fall
Class 7 - Winter
CROCHETING
Class 1 - Large afghan (48 x 30in. minimum)
Class 2 - Small afghan
Class 3 - Large tablecloths and bedspreads
Class 4 - Doilies
A. Large, over 12”
B. Small, up to 12”
Class 5 - Adult items
Class 6 - Children’s items
Class 7 - Other
KNITTING
Class 1 - Hand knitted adult garments
Class 2 - Hand knitted afghans
Class 3 - Knitted children’s garments
Class 4 - Accessories (hat, mittens, etc.)
Class 5 - Other
NEEDLEWORK
Class 1 – Hand Embroidered pillowcases
Class 2 - Other hand-embroidered items
Class 3 - Machine embroidered items
Class 4 - Counted Cross Stitch, Large (11x14” and larger) (Doesn’t include matt & frame)
Class 5 - Counted Cross Stitch, Small (smaller than 11x14”) (Doesn’t include matt & frame)
Class 6- Any other needlework
ANTIQUES
Must have card with information about item. *Only Articles NOT Shown in Previous Years*
Class 1 – Books (school, kids, etc.)
Class 2 – Kitchen Gadgets
Class 3 – Bottles
Class 4 – Quilts and Comforters
QUILTS
Class 1 - Appliquéd, cross-stitched, or embroidered, made by entrant (hand quilted)
Class 2 - Pieced (hand quilted) made by entrant
Class 3 - Appliquéd, Pieced (machine quilted by someone else) made by entrant
Class 4 – Mixed Technique
Class 5 - Other
OTHER QUILTED ITEMS
Class 1 - Quilted wall hanging (machine or hand quilted) with rod pocket; size 45 inches by 60 inches or smaller
Class 2 - Baby Quilts
Class 3 - Other hand quilted item, such as table runners, no larger than 45 inches by 60 inches
Class 4 - Other machine quilted items, such as table runners, no larger than 45 inches by 60 inches
Class 4 - Hand quilted factory printed fabric, completed item, no larger than 45 inches by 60 inch
SEWING
Please bring garments on hangers
Class 1 - Adults
A. Adult dress
B. Separates - jacket, slacks, skirt, vest, etc.
C. Other adult item
Class 2 - Children
A. Children's dress-up, including formal wear
B. Children's Items
Class 3 - Purses & totes
Class 4 - Sewing for the Home
Class 5 - Purchased Garment with added embellishments
Class 6 - Other sewn items
Class 7 - Items made from preprinted fabric
Class 8 – Doll Clothes (these do not have to be on a doll)
OTHER CRAFTS
Class 1 - Jewelry
a. Necklace
b. Bracelets
c. Sets
d. Other
Class 2 - Recycled items
a. Fabric
b. Other
Class 3 – Wood
Class 4 – Arrangement of Artificial Flowers
Class 5 – Scrapbook (select 10 pages to be judged; you may mark them with a Post-It note)
Class 6 – Paper
Class 7 – Other Craft
UGLY
Class 1- Any Ugly Shoes
Class 2 – Any Ugly Christmas Sweater
COLLECTIONS
Display no larger than 22x28 inches
Class 1 - Postcards, greeting cards, etc. (paper)
Class 2 - Tea cups, salt & pepper, buttons, etc.
Class 3 - Other
PHOTOGRAPHY
(One (1) entries per person per class limit)
Entries for the classes that are listed below can be made in either color or black and white, or both.
A Champion will be selected from all the color entries and a Champion will be selected from all the
Black and White entries.
It is assumed that all entries are digital with the exception of Class 7.
Class 1 - Scenery
Class 2 - People
Class 3 - Babies 1 year old and under
Class 4 - Children two (2) to twelve (12) years old
Class 5 – Animals/Insects
a. Flying
b. Water
c. Land
Class 6 - Other
Class 7 - On computer (Photoshop, etc.)
Class 8 - Non Digital (Have negative accompany exhibit)
Group (3 to 7 pictures displayed appropriately)
It is assumed that all entries are digital.
Photo Book
ALL PICTURES MUST BE MATTED OR FRAMED AND READY TO HANG WITH WIRE HANGERS
ONLY
DO NOT USE THE SAW TOOTH HANGERS.
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR NURSING
HOME RESIDENTS
Entry Date:
Wednesday, July 8; 5 PM – 7 PM
Thursday, July 9; 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
If you are a nursing home resident and have an interest or hobby, bring an exhibit to the Fair and share your ideas.
SHOWING YOUR TALENTS
Entry Date:
Wednesday, July 8; 5 PM – 7 PM
Thursday, July 9; 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Class 1- Creative activities for Nursing Home Residents
Class 2 - Talents of Individuals with disabilities
FLOWERS AND GARDEN
Entry Date, Friday, July 10 - 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Flower Judging: Noon - Ready to show by 11:30 a.m. ~ on a plate or in a vase.
Garden Judging follows flower judging
FLOWERS
Flowers must be grown by exhibitor. Non-flowering plants must have been in the exhibitor's possession
for at least 3 months; flowering plants must have been in the exhibitor's possession for at least 6 weeks. No artificial
flowers may be used.
NOTE: Volunteers will try to water and care for plants & flowers. Exhibitors are permitted to care for their own
plants & flowers.
CUT FLOWERS
Queen Anne’s Lace is NOT permitted in any arrangement
Class 1 - Arrangement of:
a. Zinnias
b. Garden flowers (at least three different varieties)
c. Roses
d. Gladioli
e. Marigolds
f. Predominately White - excluding Queen’s Ann’s Lace
g. Tea Cup Arrangements (containers only should be 4 inches or less)
Class 2 - Horticultural specimen displayed appropriately:
a. Rose
b. Gladioli
c. Day Lily
d. Other Lily
e. Miniature
f. Other
Class 3 - Table centerpiece
PLANTS - No Hanging Baskets – MUST BE GROWN BY EXHIBITOR
Planter should not have holes on top to indicate a hanging basket.
NOTE: Exhibitors are permitted to care for their own plants. Volunteers will try to water plants as needed.
Class 1 - Blooming Plants (Plant grown predominately for its bloom. Must be blooming.)
a. Indoors
b. Outdoors
Class 2 - Foliage Plants (Plant grown predominately for its foliage.)
Class 3 - Cacti and succulent plants
GARDEN
First eleven (11) classes must exhibit on disposable plates
Class 1 - Beans, 12 pods (green snap)
Class 2 - Beets, 5 on a plate
Class 3 - Potatoes, 5 on a plate
Class 4 - Onions, 5 on a plate
Class 5 - Tomatoes, 5 on a plate (ripe or green)
Class 6 - Squash, 1 on a plate
Class 7 - Head of Broccoli on a plate
Class 8 - Head of cabbage on a plate
Class 9 - Cucumber, 3 on a plate
Class 10 – Peppers, any kind, 3 on a plate
Class 11 - Unusual shaped vegetable [only] as
displayed on a plate
Class 12 - Herb (any variety must be named and
suitably displayed)
Class 13 - Market basket (six different varieties of
vegetables, should be exhibited in a
basket) to be judged on quality,
uniformity, and originality.
Class 14 - Heaviest Zucchini (will be weighed)
FOOD PRESERVATION
Entry Date – Monday, July 13
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Judging at Noon
General Rules
1. Use standard canning jars in excellent condition (free of cloudy deposit, have manufacturer's name on the side of
them, free of nicks and cracks).
2. Jar must be clean.
3. If jar has two part lid, be aware that the top ring maybe taken off for judging of the exhibit.
4. Jars should be filled to appropriate level in jar.
5. Jars should be properly labeled. Date is necessary.
6. Canned products must be canned using USDA recommended procedures.
7. All canning exhibits must include recipe and methods used.
CANNING
Class 1 - Jar fruit
Class 2 - Jar vegetable
Class 3 - Pickles
A. Pickles
B. Other pickled items (beet, cauliflower, beans, etc.)
Class 4 - Jar relish
Class 5 - Chili sauce, catsup or salsa
Class 6 - Other (meats, soups, stews, etc.)
Class 7 - Fruit Pie (Like pie filling etc.)
JELLY
Class 1 - Homemade fruit jelly
Class 2 - Homemade jam
Class 3 - Your specialty (apple butter, marmalade, watermelon rind, etc.)
Class 4 - Freezer Jam
BALL® AND KERR® AWARDS
Foods must be preserved using approval USDA method.
Method of preservation must accompany entry.
Decatur County Open Class participates in the Ball Awards Program. Entries
must be preserved in Ball Jars sealed with Ball Lids and Bands or Ball Collection
Elite Jars sealed with Collection Elite Lids and Bands, or preserved in Kerr Jars
sealed with Kerr Lids and Bands. In addition, soft spread entries must be prepared
using Ball Pectin: Classic, Low, or No- Sugar Needed or Liquid. The top two entries
for Fruit, Vegetable, Pickle, and Soft Spread will receive an award from Jarden
Home Brands.
BAKING
GRAND AND RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION ITEMS WILL BE KEPT AND AUCTIONED OFF.
*NAME OF ENTRANT NEEDS TO BE LISTED ON THE BACK OF THE RECIPE CARD*
All items must be made from scratch unless otherwise designated.
Recipes must accompany all exhibits, with entrant’s name.
Entry Date – Monday, July 13
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Judging at Noon
OPEN CLASS FOOD SAFETY RULE FOR FOODS ENTERED INTO COUNTY– AND
STATE-WIDE COMPETITIONS
For baked product competitions: “Filling, frosting, glazing, pie filling, and meringue, whether uncooked or cooked
are not permitted to contain cream cheese, whipped cream, unpasteurized milk or eggs/egg whites (pasteurized eggs
or eggs cooked to 160°F may be used). Home-canned fruits, vegetables, or meats are not permitted in products.
Recipes must be provided that show which ingredients were used in each part of the product. Contestants should
carefully wash their hands and make sure that their hands do not have any open cuts before preparing foods.
Whenever possible, baked products should be transported and stored in chilled coolers (41°F).
General Rules:
1. ALL food exhibits will be exhibited on disposable plates or on foil-covered cardboard. Containers of any
type are NOT to be used.
2. ALL Pies must be exhibited in disposable pie tins.
3. ALL Grand and Reserve Grand Champions will be auctioned off. Additional food entries may be
auctioned off with the permission of the entrant.
4. ALL food exhibits must have a recipe card.
PIES
All pies must be exhibited in a disposable pie tin.
NOTE: Any homemade crust is acceptable in any class.
Class 1 - Peach
Class 2 - Apple
Class 3 - Cherry
Class 4 - Berry
Class 5 - Other fruit combinations
Class 6 – Sugar-Free
BAKING FROM SCRATCH – No Zucchini
Class 1 – Angel or Sponge
Class 2 – Favorite Chocolate Cake
Class 3 – Any Other Butter Cake
Class 4 – Any Cake using Fruit or Vegetables
Class 5 – Fruit or Vegetable Quick Bread
Class 6 – Muffins
Class 7 – Microwave (any baked product)
MIXES, MIXES AND MORE
Class 1 – Cake Mix
Class 2 – Cookie Mix (four on a plate)
Class 3 – Muffin Mix (four on a plate)
Class 4 – Quick Bread Mix
Class 5 – Product using Biscuit Mix
Class 6 – Product Using Canned Biscuit or Roll Dough
ZUCCHINI GALORE
Class 1 – Cake or 4 Cupcakes (four on a plate)
Class 2 – Bread
Class 3 – Cookies or Bars
Class 4 – Other Baked Product
Class 5 – Any Recipe using Zucchini, such as Jelly, Relish, or Jam
COOKIES
Class 1 - Drop cookies (four on a plate) (drop or molded, such as snickerdoodles)
Class 2 - Bar cookies (four on a plate)
Class 3 - Fancy cookies (cut out, iced cookies, pressed, etc.) (four on a plate)
Class 4 - Brownies (four on a plate)
Class 5 - No bake (four on a plate)
Class 6 – Sugar-Free (four on a plate)
CANDY
Class 1 - Fudge (four on a plate)
Class 2 – Cereal Treats (four on a plate)
Class 3 - Party mix (one pint container)
Class 4 – Peanut Brittle (four on a plate)
Class 5 – Other candy (four on a plate)
Class 6 – Sugar-Free (four on a plate)
YEAST BREAD
Class 1 - Plain yeast rolls (four on a plate)
Class 2 - Sweet rolls (four on a plate)
Class 3 - Fancy coffee cake
Class 4 - Loaf of plain white bread
Class 5 – Loaf of yeast bread (not white)
Class 6 - Yeast breads made with a bread machine (be sure to include your full recipe)
Class 7 - Product from frozen yeast dough
Class 8 – Other yeast product (bagels, English muffins, etc.)
POTATOES GALORE
Wednesday, July 15
Entry Time: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM, Judging at Noon.
Each entry must contain at least 1 cup of potatoes, any type, and serve at least 4.
Potatoes can be fresh, canned, frozen or instant, including sweet potatoes.
Class 1 – Salad
Class 2 – Soup/Chowder
Class 3 – Side dish
Class 4 – Sweet and/or baked treat using potatoes