Holmes County Fair opens Sept. 18

BONIFAY - The 2008 Holmes County Fair and Livestock Show will be held Sept. 18-27 on the fairgrounds, 3085 Sandpath Road in Bonifay. Hildabrand Rides will be offered on the new midway.

Admission price at the main gate will be adults, $3; children, 6-12 years, $2; and children under six,free.

Parking assistance and security patrol is provided by the Fair Association. Stand-by fire protection is provided by the City of Bonifay. Area police protection is provided by the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office.

The following information is given as a means of letting readers know what to expect if they plan to enter an exhibit. Some information has been left out. Be sure to pick up a Fair book at a Bonifay business, including the Holmes County Times-Advertiser on Virginia Avenue to be sure you know the rules. More information at www.bonifaynow.com.

EXHIBIT BOOTHS
Don Sallas will be in charge of the exhibit booths which will be decorated at the expense of the exhibitor. Call him at 547-3394 to pre-register.
All exhibits must be in place by Sept. 16 and remain in place until 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28. Booths (except commercial exhibits) will be judged on their educational value and creativity/originality, effective title, message, general appearance, balance and workmanship.
Fee for commercial booths will be $35. A $50 fee will be charged for a corner booth. Space also will be available for churches, schools, state agencies and non-profit organizations.

Exhibitors may not use shavings, hay or straw in their booths since those items will not be permitted in the building by order of the local fire marshal.

CANNED GOODS

These exhibits have an important place in the fair and all entries should follow USDA Canning Guidelines. Both adult and youth exhibits will be scored on fullness of the jar, uniformity, clearness and color. The container, which should be clean and free of any food residue counts as 10 points.

There will be eight divisions – fruit, vegetables, jelly, spreads, pickles, relishes, meat and soups and sauces. The rules say no paraffin should be used in the jelly jar’s head space.

Using prescribed products on their Adult Level preserving exhibits could earn the canner a prize of two $5 coupons for Ball or Kerr fresh preserving products and one $3 coupon for pectin products.

Pick up a fair book for more details or call the chairperson, Judy Corbus, at 547-1108.

HANDIWORK

Categories for youth and adults will include everything from afghans and origami to weaving and wood carving. They will be judged on general appearance, design and pattern, selection of material, color combinations and quality of workmanship.

All entries must have been made within the past year and must have the exhibitor’s name, address and phone number securely attached to the back or bottom of the item. They may be entered at the fair building on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 14 from 1-4 p.m. Dot Sutherland is chairperson. Call her at 547-3649.

Best of Show may be awarded in any category that has five or more entries.

ART EXHIBITS

Misty Erickson is the chairperson. Items should have been made within the past year and no items previously entered in a Holmes County Fair may be exhibited. Youth may enter one exhibit per person. Intermediates and adults may enter three per participant. Exhibits must be done on paper or canvas only –no computer graphics or computer artwork. Minimum size for artwork is 8x10 inches, including the mat. Artwork in glass frames will not be accepted. Exhibits should be wired for hanging prior to acceptance.

A Best of Show award will be given for each division. Blue, red and white ribbons will be awarded in each category division.

Entries will be accepted at the Fair building on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday, Sept. 14, from 1-4 p.m.

The three divisions will include Youth, kindergarten through eighth grades; Intermediate Youth, grades nine through 12. and Adult.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Misty Erickson, 547-9944, and Niki Crawson, 547-1108, are the chairmen.

No career professionals will be allowed to enter for premiums. Youth exhibitors may enter no more than three photographs per participant. Intermediates and adults may enter up to five. Suitable hanging attachments must be added by exhibitor.

There will be five categories – people, place, still life, animals and flowers – within each of the divisions. The Fair reserves the right to eliminate sensitive subject matter.

Photos may be in color or black and white. The exhibitor’s name, address and phone number must be on the back of each entry.
Items will be accepted at the Fair building 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 13 and 1-4 p,m. Sept. 14. They may be removed Sunday, Sept. 28 from 1-4 p.m. Entries removed before the scheduled time will forfeit premiums.

Blue, red and white ribbons will be awarded in each category division. Honorable mention will be awarded at the judges’ discretion.

PLANT SHOW

Brenda Rogers, 548-5719, is chairperson. She says exhibitors may enter only one plant in each category. Family members with more than one entry will be limited to one entry per category per family member.

All items should have name, address, phone number and plant variety on back of container.

Container-grown plants must have been container-grown by the exhibitor for at least three months.

Plant entries will be accepted at the Fair building on Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sept. 14 from 1-4. Exhibitors will be responsible for watering their own plants.

Categories include single plants (flowering, foliage, herbs/vining); ferns; succulent selection; multiple plantings (two or more plants, flowering, all green, more than one color), hanging plants, African violets (single or double) and miscellaneous.

YOUTH DIVISION

POULTRY

Chairperson is Niki Crawson. Only Holmes County youth in grades K through 12 may enter this event. Registration deadline is Thursday, Sept. 4.

Entries MUST be taken to the fairgrounds between 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17. Poultry cannot be placed in the barn until approved by the State Technician. No bird with scaly leg mites, diarrhea or visible illness will be admitted.

All birds must be at least four months of age and have been owned by the exhibitor for more than 60 days before the show. Exhibitors should supply containers for feed and water at check-in. Feed and water will be provided by Holmes County Fair/4-H Council.

Divisions Production is limited to production-type Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, Barred Plymouth Rock and recognized production crossbreeds.

Exhibition is limited to non-production large fowl and bantams.

Miscellaneous is limited to turkeys, ducks, geese, quail, pigeons, guineas, peafowl and pheasants.

Each of the classes should include a male and female animal.

Premiums will be awarded. Blue, Red and White ribbons will also be given, along with rosettes for overall division winners.

RABBITS

Niki Crawson, chairperson, says registration deadline is Thursday, Sept. 4. This is important since rabbit exhibits are limited to space available.

Only Holmes County youth in grades K through 12 may enter this event. No more than six entries will be allowed each exhibitor. They must be in good condition with no signs of illness or pregnancy. The exhibitor is required to take containers for feed and water to check-in.

Classes are Pre-Junior (8 weeks to 3 months) doe or buck; Junior (4-6 months) doe or buck; Senior (7 months and older) doe and buck.

Awards will include Blue, Red and white ribbons and premiums. Rosettes will be given overall division winners.

BAKED GOODS

Judy Corbus and Niki Crawson, 547-1108, are chairpersons.

This division is now open to adults. Entries must be taken to the Fair building from 3-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19. Each entrant may enter one item in each of the six classes. All must be wrapped in see-through wrap and displayed on sturdy, disposable containers.

Registration will occur by number. Entrant’s name will be placed on the item after judging.

Items requiring refrigeration (ice cream cakes or cream cheese icing) will NOT be eligible for entry. Two copies of the written recipe, with directions, must be submitted on index cards with entry.

All entries become the property of the Holmes County 4-H Council and winning entries will be auctioned off beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19.

Proceeds of the sale will benefit the Holmes County 4-H Council.

Divisions include Junior Youth (ages 12 and under); Senior Youth, 13-18; and Adult.

Classes are Yeast Bread, Quick Bread, Cakes, Candy (12 each), Cookies (12 each) and Pie (9” crust).

Premiums will be awarded, along with blue, red and white ribbons. A Best of Show rosette will be awarded in each division.

LIVESTOCK DIVISON

Exhibitors may be from Holmes, Jackson, Walton and Washington counties but those from out-of-county will pay an entry fee of $5 per animal.

Exhibitors will be youth between the ages of eight and 19 by Sept. 1, 2009, currently enrolled and attending school in their county. All livestock entries must be owned by the exhibitor at least 50 days prior to the Fair.

Pre-registration of entries must be made before 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4. Fee must accompany pre-registration form. No animal will be allowed to compete without pre-registration. A registration form can be found in the fair book.

All beef and dairy entries must have a certificate of official veterinary inspection and proof of age. Livestock must be received during the designated arrival hours to allow visual inspection of the animals by state livestock inspectors.

All cattle must be clipped and dehorned, and must be double tied while in the holding arena.

All beef and dairy animals must be halter broken sufficiently to be shown safely. Unmanageable animals will be disqualified at the discretion of the show chairman.

Livestock must remain at the fair until designated release times.

Holmes County Fair reserves the final and absolute right to interpret the rules and regulations and to arbitrarily determine and settle all matters, questions or difference in regard thereto.

YOUTH BEEF AND STEER SHOW

Important dates and times:

Registration deadline: Sept. 4.

Arrival: 4-6 p.m. Sept. 18.

Show: 3 p.m. Sept. 20.

Release: 9 p.m. Sept. 20.

Beef exhibitors from Jackson, Walton and Washington counties will be required to pay an entry fee of $5 per animal. Each exhibitor shall be limited to three entries which are open to both purebred and commercial cattle. They must use their own animal in Showmanship Class and otherwise show their own animals unless they have more than one in the class.

All bedding must be removed and general area clean before leaving, or premiums will be forfeited.

There are 10 divisions: A-Commrcial English/Continental; B-Commerial-Brahman; C-Angus; D-Brangus; E-Charolais; F-Beefmaster; G-Hereford; H-Limousin; I-Santa Gertrudis; and J-Simmental.

Division C through J must show papers for heifers and bulls. Classes include spring calf to senior yearling.

Bulls must be registered.

Division Grand and Reserve Champions will be chosen from Blue Ribbon class winners and compete for Overall Grand and Reserve Bull and Heifer.

Exhibitors are responsible for feeding and watering their own animals. Animals should be clipped before arrival since grooming facilities are limited.

In the Cow/Calf pairs, the cow must be in milk with calf at side no older than 250 days by show date. Classes also include two year old cows and three year old cows.

PROSPECT STEER SHOW – Classes will be determined by the number of entries and weights. Grand and Reserve Champions will be chosen from Blue Ribbon class winners.

BEEF SHOWMANSHIP CONTEST (the following ages as of Sept. 1, 2008, will apply) Jr. Division, 8-11 years old;

Intermediate, 12-14 years;

Sr. Division,15-18 years.

YOUTH DIVISION

DAIRY SHOW

Registration: Sept. 4

Arrival: 4-6 p.m. Sept. 23

Show: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 25

Release: 9 p.m. Sept. 25

Rules and regulations follow for the Beef and Steer show. Out-of-county exhibitors will pay a $5 entry fee for each animal (limit of 3 entries per exhibitor).

Only females of the five major dairy breeds may be shown. Exhibitors must show their own animals, be responsible for feeding and water them and remove all bedding and clean the general area before leaving.

Divisions include female Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein and Jersey. Ages are determined by dates given in the fair book.
Division Grand and Reserve Champions will be chosen from Blue Ribbon class winners and compete for Overall Grand and Reserve Female.

Dairy Showmanship

Age as of Sept. 1, 2008

Jr. Division, 8-11 years

Intermediate, 12-14 years

Sr. Division, 15-18 years.

Awards: ribbons, rosettes and premiums.

MARKET LAMB AND
GOAT SHOWS

Registration: Sept. 4

Arrival: 4-6 p.m. Sept. 25.

Show: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26.

Release: 9 p.m. Sept. 26.

General rules and regulations follow those for the Dairy Show.

Classes will be determined by weight and number of entries.

Lamb and Goat Showmanship Classes (age as of Sept. 1).

Pee Wee, 7 years and under

Jr division, 8-11 years.

Intermediate, 12-14 years.

Sr. division, 15-18 years.

Lamb Costume Contest

Only youth who have participated in the market lamb show are eligible to participate in this competition. They should indicate on entry form if they plan to participate.

Pee Wee, 7 years and under.

Jr. division, 8-11 years.

Sr. division, 25-18 years.

Awards: ribbons, rosettes and premiums

Fair officers are David Perry, president; Lowell Smith, vice president; and Donald Sallas, secretary.

County Extension officials are Shep Eubanks, Judy Corbus and Niki Crawson.

Members of the Holmes County Fair Board are Jim King, District 1; Monte Merchant, District 2; Phillip Music, Vice Chairman, District 3; Kenneth Williams, District 4; and Raymon Thomas, Chairman, District 5.

They invite everyone to visit the Fair Sept. 18-27. The gates will open at 5 p.m. and the Midway will offer rides at 6 p.m.

Opening hours and times of other happenings are listed in the Fair book.

“The Holmes County Fair is a wonderful opportunity for area residents and visitors to learn about the many crops, livestock and other agibusiness that make up Florida’s agricultural industry,” said Charles H. Bronson, commissioner of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “These exhibitions are the result of many hours of preparation and represent the finest offerings of Florida agriculture.”