Fair Home Arts Show gives glimpse of Holmes County talent

Last year the annual Holmes County Fair Home Arts Show took some major steps in developing the show into a much more extravagant and comprehensive arts show.

This year the committee wants to grow the show into proportions that would make Jack’s beanstalk look puny in comparison.

“We had our biggest year ever last year, with both the home arts and horticulture shows growing significantly,” said Kim Kellogg, Home Arts chairperson. “We really want to see that continue to grow into something special that truly represents our community.”

One major addition this year will be more than 100 art projects presented by the East Holmes Schools art department.

Once again it all will be in the big red Shreiner Barn near the center of the fairgrounds during this year’s Holmes County Fair Aug. 5-10 at Harvest Ridge.

One area the Home Arts committee wants to develop more is the kids’ contests.

This year they’ve included some new contests for kids (page 55 in the fair book), including a no-bake cookie contest, marshmallow creations, a toilet paper roll decorating contest and a Lego farm contest, all of which allow children to go wild with their imaginations.

“We’ve had some really amazing kids’ entries in the past, but we want to open the door to more kids’ projects this year, including baking and pretty much anything the adults can enter,” Kellogg said.

There are several age divisions for children.

The committee has gone to great lengths to help the public better understand everything that goes into preparing quality exhibits for the art show, including better equipping those people who enter the Holmes County Fair Home Arts Show by providing educational opportunities defining what the judges are looking for so they can best prepare their displays.

The goal this year is to help people better understand the wide variety of categories that fall under the home art show umbrella.

For starters, there are shows for both seniors and juniors, with plenty of divisions in both shows.

If someone has a green thumb, pretty much anything someone can grow, they can enter. Flowers, vegetables and plants, with specific divisions within each of those categories, like potted plants, roses or marigolds, hot peppers, beets, green beans, tomatoes and all types of vegetables.

There are even artistic plant sections, like dish gardens and fairy gardens, that create miniature wonderlands that are fun for kids and adults alike.

If growing something isn’t someone’s thing, they can submit entries into the photography category, which covers a wide array of topics, including color, black and white and children’s photos, right up from novice adults to professionals.

“We would love to see more professional photography submissions,” Kellogg said.

Wildlife, zoo animals, seascapes, Amish Country, sunsets, pets, family, humorous, patriotic… you name it, if it’s a photo it qualifies.

Photo entries must be turned in Sunday, July 31 at the Baker Building between 1-3 p.m.

There are contests for canned goods, from soup to jams, applesauce, meats, beans and anything that can be canned.

Maybe it’s baking that gets you excited, with categories that include pies, bread, cookies, confections and more.

Perhaps the fiber arts challenge is more up your alley, where hand-knitted or crocheted items, sewing, rugs, wall hangings, quilts and more will be displayed in contests.

Like to draw or paint? There will be a multitude of categories available for entry, like chalk, colored pencil, watercolor and acrylic painting, crafts, holiday decorations, ink drawings and pottery.

”We want people to use their creativity and talents and register their entries to create a fantastic show,” Kellogg said. “The bigger the better, and whether someone is a professional or someone who dabbles and simply enjoys the arts or baking, sewing or whatever, we’d love to have them enter.”

Kellogg said the hope is that by building up the Home Arts Show, more families will be encouraged to visit the fair.

Details for all of the Home Arts Show exhibits, including entry forms, can be found in the fair magazine or online at: www.harvestridgeohio.com/resources, under the Home Arts icon, where you can find the entire fair program along with entry forms and details.