Polk County Fair news

It’s time to think about the fair: Use the right entrance

Submitted by Kathy Hagler

Anyone entering items in the fair this year is being asked to use the “Exhibitor’s Entrance” located at the south end of the fairgrounds off Rodeo Drive.

From Mena, traveling on 71 South, about a half mile past Fairgrounds Road, turn left on Griffith Park Drive (next to Bowser Funeral Home), turn left on Rodeo Drive. Continue past the dead-end sign, the Exhibitor Entrance is on the right.

This is for everyone’s general safety while the carnival sets up Monday and Tuesday. The carnival will open to the public on Wednesday, Aug. 30. For a complete list of times, please check the Polk County Fair Catalog. See you at the fair!

Show off your plants, flowers and crops at the 2023 fair!

Submitted by Lena Day, Polk County Master Gardener

Are you a gardener? Are there fantastic plants, fruits, or vegetables in your garden? Do you love to show off your flowering plants, flower bouquets/arrangements? As a home grower you may have vegetable, fruits, and some of you collect eggs or take care of beehives for honey.

Bring your harvests, plants, flowers and more to the Polk County Fairground Education Building. You may win a ribbon and prize money.

Entries for the Education Building will be accepted 1-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29 for plotted plants and crops.

From 7:30-10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30, single cut flowers, flower arrangements and crops can be entered. The building will be closed at noon to the public and the judging will start at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

Adult, junior and youth divisions can enter in each of the departments: horticulture, farm crops, and fruit and vegetable crops. For the horticulture competition, the Polk County Master Gardeners will award the “Best in Show” winner, and a winner for each of three sections within horticulture.

All crops, flowers, plants and vegetables must be produced, grown or arranged in Polk County by the exhibitor, disease and pest free. If you have more than one entry per class, only one will be judged. The others will be entered as “Not For Judging, NFJ.” You may enter exhibitions in as many classes as you wish.

You must furnish container. Attractive containers are desirable in flower arrangements and in some of the potted plants classes, (e.g., dish garden, driftwood planting, English trough garden, garden art planting, and terrarium). Containers are considered as part of the entry for judging purpose.

For a complete listing of all classes and rules, consult the Polk County Fair catalog. You may find them available at feed stores, banks, the Extension Service and other businesses.

Starting Thursday, Aug. 31, all exhibit entries will be on display from 2 p.m. Exhibits close at 10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 8 p.m. on Saturday.