Open Class entries in this year’s Stephens County Free Fair were down, and though numbers weren’t available, it was obvious to those who have been visiting the fair for years. It helped though, that the horticulture and 4-H exhibits were moved to the south side of the building where vendors and fine art entries were located. The place looked fuller because there was less space to occupy.
Yet the energy and upbeat attitudes of everyone, from volunteers behind the scenes to entrants, made this year just as exciting as it has ever been. It’s quite the social event. There were returning entrants and new people taking time to bring their handmade, hand crafted, baked and grown goods to the fair.
Whether you were someone who had been entering for years, or the first time, you had a chance to collect some ribbons for your efforts. That was the case for Ashley Broughton of Bray. Same for Kea McPherson, Dottie Williams, Linda Heilman and many others.
As long as you live in Stephens County – town or country – you could enter your items in the fair. Broughton was a first time fair entrant and she managed to get her canned preserves in right at the final minute Wednesday night. The next day, she discovered her jams and salsa had scored two ribbons in each category, Blue (1st), Red (2nd) and White (3rd).
“My Grandma and I used to visit the Fair to see the quilts. A very fond memory,” she said. “I only started canning a few months ago.
Self taught for the most part really b.