Don’t miss the chance to win a blue ribbon

BY KATHY DIXON

It was the summer of 2019 when Novelle Wilkerson decided to buy a beginner crochet kit to take on a long-distance road trip.

The Prince George County resident never dreamed her new hobby would lead to accolades in the 2022 State Fair of Virginia. “I just wanted to show my 12-year-old daughter that it’s never too late to learn something new.”

After teaching herself to crochet, Wilkerson joined crochet groups, watched YouTube videos and practiced her craft.

She had been a frequent State Fair visitor and always made a point to visit the arts and crafts areas. Last year, Wilkerson decided to challenge herself and enter a couple of crochet categories in the fair’s creative arts competitions.

A mosaic afghan that took her 8 months to crochet won a blue ribbon and a “Best of Section” award. “I was so shocked to find out I’d won,” exclaimed Wilkerson, who saw her ribbons when she visited the fair. “It blew my mind.”

In the “other crocheted item” category, a 5-foot-long worm that she crafted received 3rd place.

Wilkerson said it was a great experience, and she is considering what to enter this year. She encourages others to get out of their comfort zones and enter one of the competitions.

The fair’s creative arts, culinary and horticulture competitions have categories for bold bakers, green growers, knowledgeable knitters, weaving wizzes and more. And there are categories for both adults and youth.

Longtime competitor Lesley Russell said everyone has something they are good at, and she also encourages other Virginians to try their hand at entering at least one of the competitions.

“They don’t have to be crazy like me and bake for four days straight,” Russell quipped. “But everyone should try.”

Russell, who currently lives in the East End of Richmond, has been entering State Fair competitions for 20 years. She said the first year she “didn’t win a thing.” But by the third year, her coconut cake was awarded a “Best in Show” ribbon, which she framed.

Since then, she typically enters the maximum number of entries allowed, and averages about seven ribbons each fair. She displays the ribbons she’s earned over the years on a wall in the self-storage facility she manages. Each year, hundreds of Virginians enter the competitions, and their entries are displayed during the fair. Adult entry fees are $1, and some categories come with small cash prizes in addition to bragging-right ribbons. Competition guides will be posted on the fair’s website, StateFairVa.org, by the end of May. Entry deadlines and descriptions of the categories are included in those guides.

Sept. 22 through Oct. 1

Countdown to the State Fair of Virginia

As of May 1, there are exactly 144 days until the 2023 State Fair of Virginia opens on Sept. 22 and runs through Oct. 1.

Fair fact: The 2022 State Fair hosted more than 4,000 exhibitors and drew over 7,000 competition entries for livestock, vocational and technical education, visual and culinary arts, horticulture and more.

Showcasing the best of Virginia, this year’s fair will offer visitors more entertainment and attractions, one of the largest fair midways in the midAtlantic and, as always, that delicious fair food, said Marlene Jolliffe, the fair’s executive director.

There also will be gigantic pumpkins, squashes and watermelons and the unique, award-winning creations handmade by Virginia artisans.

The fair also provides an educational look at Virginia agriculture. With increased agricultural programming, fairgoers of all ages can see a host of livestock and equine exhibitions and competitions featuring beef and dairy cattle, goats, pigs, lambs and more. Visitors also can watch dairy calf births and dairy cow milking demonstrations and try their own hands at milking a cow.

The ever-popular Young MacDonald’s Farm exhibit will return with its baby duck slide, chicken egg incubator and goat mountain. Visitors can view the exhibit at its new location in the fair’s Livestock Loop area.

There’s no shortage of entertainment at the State Fair of Virginia! Make it an event to remember, and mark your calendars to come celebrate Virginia agriculture.

Stay tuned for fair details by visiting StateFairVa.org