Amy-Lynn Albertson: Get ready for a week of fun and excitement at the Rowan County Agricultural and Industrial Fair – Salisbury Post

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The biggest watermelon contest

By Amy-Lynn Albertson
NC Cooperative Extension

September 16-21 is “Fair Week” in Rowan County. The Spencer Jaycees sponsor the Rowan County Agricultural and Industrial Fair.

We are excited to reopen the exhibit hall and fair registrations this year and hope it will be better than ever. The 2024 Fair Book is available at http://rowan.ces.ncsu.edu. Those wishing to register items for the fair should download their fair book to find out which division and class their item should be entered in. Printed books will be available at the Cooperative Extension Center. If you need assistance registering your items, our staff can assist you. All registrations must be entered online at www.rowancounty.fairentry.comThe contest is open to all Rowan County residents and must be entered by September 3.

Flower and vegetable gardeners, the fair is a great opportunity to showcase your skills and be recognized for your hard work. If your entry is judged the best, you will receive a blue ribbon, a $5 prize and, most importantly, bragging rights.

This has been a great year for watermelons and peppers, and I expect the competition to be fierce, especially if you have been irrigating. There is also good reason to water, as we have new categories with new bonuses. Largest corn stalk has been added, with first place earning you $50, second place earning $30, and third place earning $20. Largest watermelon and largest pumpkin over 25 pounds earn you $50 for first place from our sponsor, Rowan County Farm Bureau. All vegetable categories are judged on uniformity, sweetness, true to type, and freedom from defects. Honey categories will be judged on density, freedom from crystals, cleanliness, flavor, accuracy of fill and uniformity, and finally, container appearance. I hope to see many entries from our young beekeepers. The floral department is one of my favorites at the fair. If you are a hobby florist, bring those skills to the fair. There are a list of floral arrangement categories including special seasons, miniature vases, and centerpieces larger than a vase. We have added the largest dried sunflower head (in diameter) with a $50 first place prize. Returning this year is the decorated artificial Christmas tree category with a $50 first place prize. In the adult division, the baked goods department entries are always tasty. The best bakers in the county are invited to show off their best talents and strut their stuff. All entries must be made from scratch except for the decorated cake category. This year, the best decorated cake will have its own category with a $50 first place prize. We have young bakers who can enter their treats in the youth division. There are baked goods categories for youth 18 and under; Craftsmen, carpenters, knitters, photographers and artists can showcase their skills in the furniture, clothing and arts and crafts departments.

Please remember that all fair registrations must be submitted by Tuesday, September 3rd at 5pm. Please ensure that your registration forms are submitted online at www.rowancounty.fairentry.com before the deadline.

Please remember that entry forms must be submitted before items are brought to the exhibit hall. No entries will be accepted at the fair unless approved by the Directors Office. Any changes to registrations that do not match the entries on file will result in the premium being withheld. If you have any questions about the 2024 Rowan County Agricultural and Industrial Fair entry exhibits, please call the Rowan County Extension Office at 704-216-8970.

Amy-Lynn Albertson is director of Rowan County Extension.

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