It's Almost Fair Time!
Mary Barnes
Can you believe fair time is almost here? The Yavapai County Fair returns to the Prescott Rodeo Grounds September 10–13, and now is the perfect time to start looking around your garden to see what might be worthy of an entry.
If you've grown vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, or ornamental plants this season, consider sharing them with the community. The Floriculture and Horticulture exhibits are always a favorite stop for fair visitors, who are often surprised by the variety and quality of what can be grown right here in Yavapai County.
A little preparation can make a big difference.
Harvest flowers in the cool of the morning or evening using a sharp cutting tool. Cut stems a little longer than you'll need, then place them in lukewarm water and refrigerate them for several hours before taking them to the fair. Choose blooms that are almost fully open since they'll continue to develop after they're cut. If the class requires several flowers, try to select blooms that are similar in size and stage of development. Don't overlook flowering shrubs or herbs—many of their blooms make excellent entries as well.
Fresh herbs should be harvested before they flower whenever possible. Rinse them gently in cool water and choose stems that are clean, healthy, and uniform in size.
Vegetables should be harvested when they are mature, flavorful, and as close to judging time as practical. When more than one specimen is required, select vegetables that are as similar as possible in size, shape, and color. Dig root crops when the soil is dry and gently clean tender-skinned vegetables with a soft brush. And while everyone enjoys growing that giant zucchini, judges generally prefer vegetables that represent high-quality market size rather than sheer size.
Tips
Flowers and fresh herbs will be displayed in official fair vases unless they are part of an artistic arrangement. In addition to fresh flowers and produce, the fair also includes classes for artistic floral arrangements, houseplants, dried herbs, and dried vegetables, so be sure to browse the entry guide for all the possibilities.
Judges examine entries carefully and may even cut or taste fruits and vegetables. They've been known to pull a sunflower seed from the flower head to check its quality; every detail counts.
How to Enter
The easiest way to enter is through the Yavapai County Fair website (https://yavapaifair.com) , where you'll find all entry categories, rules and instructions. It's a good idea to register online ahead of time, but don't worry if you're not sure every tomato, pepper, or blossom will be ready, enter everything you think might be ready. You can simply bring the entries that do make it to fair time.
Floriculture and Horticulture entries should be delivered to the Prescott Rodeo Grounds on Wednesday, September 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is an earlier check-in than previous years but will give judges plenty of time to evaluate exhibits before the fair opens to the public on Thursday.
If you're unsure of the exact name of a flower, herb, fruit, or vegetable, don't let that stop you. Bring it, Master Gardeners will be available during check-in to help identify your entries and answer questions.
Remember, all entries must be grown by the exhibitor in Yavapai County—no grocery store produce allowed! There are separate divisions for adults and youth, so young gardeners are encouraged to enter what they've grown and compete with others their own age.
Of course, winning a ribbon is exciting, but that's only part of the fun. One of the best reasons to enter is to inspire others. Every year visitors walk through the exhibit hall saying, "I grow that in my yard—I should have brought it!"
This year, why not be the gardener who inspires someone else? We'd love to see what you've been growing!
Applications are being accepted for our Home Horticulture class. This Zoom-based class, a condensed version of the Master Gardener training program, meets Thursday evenings, 6pm to 8pm from September 17th to October 29th. extension.arizona.edu/yavapai
Mary Barnes is the Agriculture and Natural Resources Program coordinator, with responsibilities for class/workshop coordination, Master Garden Program and the Help Desks.