Part of the charm of living in a rural area are the local events to enjoy like the agricultural expo, home and garden show, and county fair. When we first moved to this area 18 years ago, the fair seemed to have much more participation, and for me, that’s a missed opportunity.
I remember growing up in rural Maryland and participating in the Maryland State Fair through my membership in 4-H. Miss Margaret Smith was our leader, and I still remember the lessons I learned along the way under her tutelage. I still have those treasured ribbons too. Yet it seems the simple pleasures of participating in something like a local fair have fallen by the wayside, especially for young people.
Since I am also a member and supporter of the Mesa Verde Gardeners, I know how hard those women work each year to make the Horticulture Division of the Fair, fun and inviting for all who choose to enter. It’s done in conjunction with the Colorado Master Gardeners and the fair board, and they’d like to have more entries so they want to extend an open invitation to all in the area to become involved this year and think about some entries for the Community Open Classes. Both community members of all ages and 4-H’ers are encouraged to participate.
Planning and growing for the fair begins now with the start of the gardening season. The Montezuma County Extension Office has a list of the classes from previous years listing every category and which flowers qualify for that class. More specific information regarding the rules, how many blooms, or branches to bring, etc., is available from the Mesa Verde Gardeners or at the Montezuma County Extension office when it gets closer to the time, and either of those sources will be happy to help you learn how to prepare to exhibit.
Almost every plant, flower, or vegetable has a place in the fair. If you love flowers of any kind, there is always an abundance of those available in early August so it’s very easy to find things to enter. They can be perennials, annuals, or even shrubs like roses. If you’ve never wandered through the flower show, it’s not rocket science. Something as simple as a single marigold blossom is all that’s required to enter. These aren’t huge, complicated bouquets, but most often a stem or two snipped from the family garden.
There is a category for houseplants, and one for designs revolving around a specific theme that is chosen each year. The Mesa Verde Gardeners usually hold a design class beginning in the summer months preceding the fair, so if you’ve always wanted to learn how to arrange and design flowers, this is a great, free way to do that.
Vegetables are plentiful too, and you need only bring a couple on a paper plate. Again, this isn’t something that is scary. Prizes are given across all categories that can include gift certificates along with ribbons. Virtually anything you can grow, can be entered in the fair.
Participating in the fair can become a family activity or a great project for home schooled individuals. It’s a great way to learn about horticulture and the plant world, learn how to grow specifically in our area, and about competition in general. And the ribbons or prizes you receive will go with you throughout your life as a reminder of the lessons you’ve learned.
Even though it is several months away, I challenge you to begin thinking about the county fair now, when it’s a great time to plan and begin planting your garden. No matter whether you are a vegetable gardener or enjoy growing flowers, we’d love to see you participate and show off what you’ve had growing on this summer.