“If you can make it, bake it or grow it – show it.”

That’s a slogan Jefferson County Fair entries superintendent Kristi Pimentel came up with to encourage fair submissions and let people know what types of items they can show.

The Jefferson County Fair Association held a class July 19 to help people learn more about how to exhibit at the annual county fair.

Leslie Aickin and Ann Dahm, both of Port Townsend, came to the class equipped with questions for Pimentel and fair board treasurer Sue McIntire.

“I think the big thing for me was a confirmation of how well organized all the things related to the county fair are,” said Dahm.

Dahm, who retired to the area with her husband two years ago, has been involved with other fair association events, such as the flea market and holiday fair, but submitting something for the summer county fair is a first, she said.

McIntire encouraged Dahm to enter one of her creations. The piece, titled “A Shade Brighter,” is a working lamp sculpture and an homage to Port Townsend’s love of gardening.

Almost all the parts in the lamp are from the Waste Not, Want Not store in Port Townsend, Dahm said. It’s made out of copper plumbing parts, includes an old-fashioned Edison bulb with a place for a copper watering can. The shade is made out of recycled vintage lawn edging that she left outside to rust. “I love repurposing,” she said.

“It’s just a fun lamp that kind of picks up on the quirkiness of Port Townsend.”

Aickin moved here about 40 years ago, and she has attended the fair religiously.

“I love our county fair so much,” Aickin said. “I love that it’s small, it’s local; it’s a great place to see my friends and neighbors enjoy themselves.”

She has submitted an entry to one of the fair’s exhibits only once before. Her submission: a bottle of apple cider vinegar, back in the early ’80s, which she had made while working in an apple orchard. At that time, there was no vinegar category. “Of course, I got a blue ribbon,” she said, laughing.

When she picked up the Exhibitor Premium Book this year and started looking through it, she was inspired to enter one of her sculptures. Aickin does what she calls “rock wrapping” – wrapping rocks with cane, a plant material. “My passion is rocks,” she said. “I am an absolute rock nut.”

After talking with the fair board members, she also decided to enter her garlic into one of the fair’s exhibits.

“I got so inspired at the little meeting that I’ve now watered my garlic in hopes that it will be wonderful for the fair,” she said.

CATEGORIES AND MORE

One of the most common questions asked at the class is how to choose a category for one’s entry. For example, how does a contestant determine whether something is fine arts or a craft?

“It really is subjective,” said Pimentel, noting that while paintings and draws easily go into the fine arts category, it can be a bit more difficult with pieces of sculpture. Often on entry day, fair officials see a lot of enatries in incorrect categories – especially items in knitting and crocheting getting mixed up, and fair volunteers are there to help sort that out.

And if you’re really stumped, there’s always an “other” in every single category.

Another common question is how to include any special information with an entry. For example, Dahm wanted to make sure her piece is plugged in when displayed and that it is handled carefully. “Write it on a 3-by-5 card,” said Pimentel.

Pimentel and McIntire emphasized the benefit of preregistering to avoid the lines on registration day. While the preregistration date required for animal departments has passed, preregistration in all other departments is available until Aug. 4. Either send in or email an entry form, which is available online or in the Exhibitor Premium Book.

Entry days are Aug. 7, 9 and 10. Be sure to check out page 5 of the book or online for specific dates and times for categories, as well as the specific rules for each category. Those who have preregistered can simply go to the department for which they’re entering items. And if you have items you want to add or remove, you can do that, too.

DAY OF ENTRY

If you don’t make the preregistration deadline, show up on the day of entry and go to the exhibit entry station in the Oscar Erickson Building dining room to pick up a form. (Again, check the dates and times for specific categories.)

Every entry receives points for premiums, which means money. A lot of people aren’t aware that premiums equal money, said McIntire. There’s no charge to enter, and everyone who enters something wins premiums, which are sent out by Sept. 15.

After exhibition, all items must be picked up or be forfeited. Check each department for when to stop by and pick up entries. Items not picked up are either tossed or kept – often for the annual garage sale or, if it’s a really nice piece, for the silent auction.

McIntire and Pimentel admitted it’s a complicated process, and they’re there to help.

“It’s easy for us because we’ve been doing it for years,” McIntire said.