Deadlines approach for fair contests





BOOTS, BARNS AND BANJOS--This entry by Jessica Han, a 15-year-old Thousand Oaks resident and Newbury Park High School student, won first place in the Ventura County Fair Poster contest. She received a $500 cash prize for her depiction of the fair's theme.

BOOTS, BARNS AND BANJOS–This entry by Jessica Han, a 15-year-old Thousand Oaks resident and Newbury Park High School student, won first place in the Ventura County Fair Poster contest. She received a $500 cash prize for her depiction of the fair’s theme.

Photographers, artists, gemologists, bakers and animal lovers will show off their talents at the upcoming Ventura County Fair.

This year’s event runs from July 31 through Aug. 11 with the theme “Boots, Barns and Banjos.”

Organizers are promoting a kids’ contest called “Glue in the Shoe.” Young competitors are asked to decorate a shoe using materials such as feathers, glitter and rhinestones.

“Some of them will just blow you away,” said James Lockwood, Ventura County Fair spokesperson. “We encourage kids to ask their parents before they take a shoe.”

Each program has its own set of rules, but some submission deadlines are shared.

Entries for photography, amateur fine arts, gems and minerals, professional arts, youth expo and home arts, which include the “Glue in the Shoe” and table setting competitions, must be delivered to the fairgrounds between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Fri., July 19; Sat., July 20; or Sun., July 21.

At least one competition, the Senior Open Sheep and Dairy Goat program, is already closed.

For photography and professional arts submissions, all entries must be preregistered by July 15. Baked goods don’t need to be delivered to the fairgrounds until July 29. Desserts will have already been judged by the time the fair opens to the public.

The photography competition has three levels: amateur, advanced amateur and professional. All photos must be pre-entered and accepted, and all entrants must be 18 years or older.

Photographers under the age of 18 are encouraged to compete in the youth expo.

Aspiring photographers can enter their work in many categories, but a number of department rules must be followed. Sections include action/sports, flowers, historical, inspirational, photo journalism, portraiture (children and adults), animals, landscape, humor, fair theme, wildlife and architecture.

One category allows people to enter pictures from their cellphones.

Folks don’t have to compete in anything to enjoy the fair. There are carnival rides and plenty of food like corn dogs, potato chip spirals, gooey desserts and barbecue fare.

The musical lineup includes Styx, Hall and Oates, Air Supply and Kool and the Gang.

While horse shows and rodeos are an expected fair experience, the Academic Rodeo is a horse of a different color. This rodeo parades the intellect of fourth-through eighth-grade students in team competitions, including timed quizzes, toss-up questions, vocabulary definitions and a spelling bee.

The competition, which is now closed for entries, was open to all public, private, parochial and home schools, plus youth groups like 4-H and Scouts. Waiting lists have been formed in case a team drops out.

Chickens and rabbits of many varieties are expected to be a popular attraction at the fair, along with goats, pigs and other livestock of all shapes and sizes.

New events will join time-honored traditions this year.

A cupcake competition, the King Arthur Flour Baking Contest, will make its debut at the 2013 fair. There are separate contests for children and adults. Scheduled for Thurs., Aug. 1, entries can be delivered right before judging begins at noon.

The baking contest has specifi c rules. Entrants must make their cupcakes from scratch using King Arthur flour. Judging will be based on taste, creativity and texture.

For folks who have been married for 40 or more years, the Blessing of the Marriages is a yearly favorite. Couples renew their vows and share advice and stories about love and marriage. This year marks the 28th anniversary of this event.

The Ventura County Fair began in 1875 with a focus on horse racing. It has continued each year, except when the fair was shuttered during World War II.

The fair takes place at the Ventura County Fairgrounds/Seaside Park, by the beach in Ventura.

For information about ticket prices, carnival wristband days and other events, go online to www.venturacountyfair.org.


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