How about having our own county fair?

Melody and I have been thinking that holding a virtual county fair could be a lot of fun for DG members.

We could set up a special forum and start threads for each category - members could submit photos of their biggest and prettiest fruits and vegetables, livestock, quilts, flowers, etc.

What does everybody think? If you like the idea, what categories should we include?

I like the idea--sounds like a lot of fun! I like the categories you listed and I'd add recipes too ...it wouldn't be the county fair without lots of food! And some other crafts too besides quilts...although it's been so long since I've been to an actual county fair that I don't know what all they'd have there. And maybe there could there be voting in some of the categories for people to win the "blue ribbon"?

Yes - absolutely - we must have member voting ;o)

Blue ribbons (and red ribbons) are also a must-have.

We're thinking we can get the ribbons to be placed on the home pages of the winners as a permanent accolade. (And we'll "sweeten the pot" with some 12- and 2- month subscriptions to the 1st place winners and runners-up for each category.)

Yes, we'd love to see the membership vote for the winners. And blue ribbons are a must.

So many people don't get the chance to attend a real county fair that we thought this would be a great chance for folks from all over to participate. I'm lucky enough to live in an area where county fairs are a big deal. Lots of people enjoy participating.

We have fruits and vegetables, canned goods, livestock, crafts (including quilts), cut flowers, planted containers (including orchids) our fair has a very popular pie contest too...so the sky's the limit...

Can we have a carnival? :)

Why not?

If we can figure out how to do it, we'll entertain any idea.

Oh boy, I would not want to be a judge in this carnival. There are so many
hugely talented and skilled folks in DG, in all aspects of gardening, crafts,
cooking and what-have-you.

What a fun idea!

I think this an Awesome Idea . I have missed many Country Fairs .

Sarge

Sounds like fun. Virtual would be better for me, so I don't have to get out in the heat and humidity!!

I haven't been to a real county fair in ages! I think it's an awesome idea!

A virtual Fair -- that might be a first on the Internet!

Where's the swine and sheep? That's the only reason I go to the fair. ;~) J/K Terry and Melody. I think it's a great idea too.

The Best part about this is Anyone can enjoy it and you dont have to walk around to see all the exibets no tired feet and leggs . Thank the Lord for that one and we still get to to enjoy it with the famliy ~ ; { > )

Sarge


Thank you for putting this on for the DG Folks .



We are Ready !

Prince and Duke

Will there be fudge?

Of course! (I'm surprised that Jo didn't beat you to that question...)

Terry. Joan and Melody -- Look forward to seeing what you three come up
with as the format and know we will all enjoy it.

Elsie - Of course there will be fudge, you silly! ;-)

(edited because I left out Melody)

This message was edited Jun 23, 2010 5:28 PM

Yes, all sorts of livestock...from alpacas to zebras!

Fudge, brownies, cakes and pies..

Pickles, jams, jellies...

Fruit and veggie categories, cut flowers, ...whatever the membership would like. You all get to pick.

As far as 'fair food' goes...we'd like to hear from all over the world. What is the favorite food that people eat at fairs where you live?
cotton candy...funnel cakes...deep fried Snickers bars...deep fried dill pickles...bar-b-q?

Carnival rides...ferris wheel...roller coaster...merry go round (that's the one I'll ride...I don't like heights)

I didn't want Jo to worry about the fudge. hehe

I'll be on the merry go round with Melody. No heights for me, but
I certainly will do bumper cars.

Food at the fair in Albuquerque is very different from the fairs of my
childhood on the East Coast. Here they have fried turkey legs,
fried Twinkies, and other fried foods as well as traditional cotton candy
and funnel cakes. If they could fry the cotton candy, they would! ;-)

I saw on the news where one fair was selling deep fried butter...yep, it was injected with various flavors, dipped in batter and deep fried.

They'll fry anything here in the South...Oreos, Twinkies, Snickers...

Corn dogs and steak on a stick.

Jo & I will judge fudge. Just mail to either of us!

Bernie

Bernie, What a generous offer!

LOL - better have lots of fudge!

Don't forget Indian Fry Bread - yummy stuff!

Deep Fried Ice Cream Got to Have it Its A Local Favorit Here

Sarge

The latest here is fried okra ... like an order of fries. No kidding. My sister and I stopped at a stand in Pike County and got a fried chicken breast and an order of fried okra. Deeee'licious!

Oops. Make that Meriwether County.

My hubby eats fried okra like popcorn..he doesn't care for popcorn too much so I do okra instead ..lol..

What categories should we have for ribbons?

Vegetables...biggest, best mixed display?

Canned goods?

Cooked goods...candy, pastries, casserole recipe?

Animals...which ones?

Arts and Crafts?

Cut flower bouquets, planted containers, water features?

We could have an area for chit chat about fair food and activities. Our fair has an extremely popular lawnmower demolition derby that is the highlight of the week.

What do you all think...suggestions?

We definitely need cattle, swine, poultry and maybe "miscellaneous".

dont for Git the UNusual Pets folks Always forget us folks that Have them too


Sarge

Unusual , Breed, Biggest, Preettiest, Best of Show, types Milk cows, Beef , Bulls, Heffers,Calfs there are a bunch in this level .

This message was edited Jun 25, 2010 1:56 PM

I'm all for it.... only been to one country fair, a long time ago in California, not sure I understood what it was all about then, but this sounds like fun and educational.

Spent a couple of months in Alabama once upon a time (in my youth), and just loved the cooking there. Still consider it the most authentic American style of cooking I know. My favorite was the fried okra... way different, and much better than what I've had in either CA or the NE.

I go to ours every year. One of my favorite exhibits is the chickens with all the fancy 'hairdos', lol.
Did someone mention funnel cakes? I am soooo there!

Orchids and quilts ---Yaay!

Count me in. Please allow enough time for those of us in northern areas to be able to harvest all of our crops. Perhaps mid September.

Paul

Yes, this will be scheduled for later this year. We just wanted to judge the interest level and see if you all thought it was a good idea.

It will give us time to get things set up, and for you all to get pictures and preparations made to participate.

My livestock (pets) are ready to show their Sunday best.

Great idea!