FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, OCT. 9, 2009

CONTACT:

Brian Long, director N.C. State Fair Press Office (919) 733-4216

 

 

State Fair competition registrations up across the board

RALEIGH — A lot more people seem to have blue ribbon fever this year.

The N.C. State Fair has seen a significant jump in entry registrations in nearly every category, seeming to indicate that more people are crafting, baking, canning, taking pictures and growing flowers than ever before.

“We are excited so many people are interested in showing off their skills in competition at the State Fair,” said Wesley Wyatt, State Fair manager. “We expect to have lots of good work on exhibit and to have very full display cases, making for great competitive shows for fairgoers.”

The biggest jump in entry registrations has occurred in the horticulture area, where the number of entries expected is up by nearly 1,000. The second largest jump was in the handicrafts and hobbies category, which includes such things as quilts, needlepoint work, weaving and embroidery. Registrations in that group are up by more than 600 from 2008.

Another area seeing a big increase is the food preservation category, where entries are up by nearly 300 from 2008. Food preservation has been making a comeback in popularity in recent years as more people are trying to stretch their homegrown fruits and vegetables into fall and winter fare. This category also saw a 300-entry jump from 2007 to 2008.

The North Carolina chapter of 4-H is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and based on the increase in registered entries, the 4-H spirit is alive and well. Entries for 4-H exhibits are up by more than 300.

Betty Shaw, who oversees the entry department, attributes the entry uptick to the home canning, preserving and crafting trends and in part because of the slow economy.

Following are categories and numbers:

Category	2009 numbers	2008 numbers
Breads, Cakes and Cookies	1,188	771
Arts & Photography	2,531	2,138
Horticulture	2,395	1,451
Handicrafts & Hobbies	1,315	1,972
Clothing	787	601
4-H	1,153	810
Food Preservation	1,360	1,063
Flowers	7,662	7,213

The final numbers could vary some from the registered totals, Shaw said. There are usually some people who enter, but for one reason or another cannot make it in with their entry.

Some of the more unusual items registered for entry are gun stocks, a Harry Potter hat, an urn and a vest made from tabs from drink cans

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