Deadlines near for fair entries

Farm mechanics projects, fine art creations, decorated vegetables and more will all have their place at the Phillips County Fair July 25-30. Deadlines for parade entries, open class projects and special theme contests are fast approaching.
    Parade entries are due Friday, July 21, to Julie Elliott at 701 W. Johnson St. in Holyoke. Forms are available in this edition of the Holyoke Enterprise and in the Phillips County fairbook. Contact Elliott at 970-854-5294 for more information.
    All open class projects, pre-kindergarten to third-grade entries and special theme contests can be entered between 1-6 p.m. Wednesday, July 26.
    Open class entries are judged Thursday, July 27, at 9 a.m. and include garden, floriculture, baked and preserved goods, crafts, needlework, fine arts and quilting.
    Special themes contests include “A Barn-Raising Good Time” Photography, Decorate a Vegetable, Use Your Bean, Build Your Best Lego Contest, Create-A-Book-Cover and Creative Traditions Quilt Contest.
    Entries for the new vo-ag farm mechanics show are due Thursday, July 27, at 1 p.m. Another new category, the Dutch Oven Cook-off, has a 2 p.m. check-in Thursday and will be judged at 6 p.m.
    Homemade Salsa/Guacamole Contest entries can be submitted Saturday, July 29, between 1-1:30 p.m. at the Event Center.
    While the deadline for entries in the Baby Bear Hugs Sweetest Baby/Toddler Contest have already passed, voting will be open July 27-29 at the fair exhibit hall, ending at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 29.
    
    Open division animals, Rabbit Bingo and Catch It Goat contests
    Open division livestock must be preregistered by July 17, to be eligible to show at the Fair. Exceptions are bucket calves and tiny tot entries, which are to be registered the day of show entry. Online entries are preferred by visiting www.4hffa.com.
    Wednesday, July 26, horses and tiny tot horse show entries are to be entered at 8:30 a.m. and rabbits and poultry entries from 4-8 p.m.
    Tiny tot rabbits and poultry are to be entered Thursday, July 27, at 8:30 a.m., and bucket calves are to be entered at 8:30 a.m. Friday, July 28.
    Applications for the Rabbit Bingo and Catch It Goat contests, available at the Phillips County Extension Office, are due Monday, July 17, at 4:30 p.m. Applicants must be 8-18 years old by Jan. 1, 2018, and enroll in Phillips County 4-H by Jan. 15, 2018. Catch It Goat is Thursday, July 27, between goat and swine judging, and Rabbit Bingo follows the Parade of Champions Friday, July 28.
    Details for all open class, special theme and animal contests can be found in the fairbook, available at the Phillips County Extension Office.