FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, AUG. 6, 2010

N.C. Mountain State Fair is calling all crafters, carvers, creative culinary types and livestock competitors

FLETCHER -- Whether you have been preparing a calf for the show ring or fine tuning a favorite recipe for this year’s N.C. Mountain State Fair, you need to get your entry forms filled out soon. The entry deadlines are fast approaching for most competitions.

Entries for the llama shows must be in by Aug. 13, and the deadline for the remaining livestock shows is Aug. 18. Entries for most of the music and dance competitions are due Aug. 20 or Aug. 30, and the deadline for most of the cooking, crafting or other general competitions is Aug. 30.

Residents can get an entry form by picking up a copy of the premium book at the Western N.C. Ag Center in Fletcher or the WNC Farmers Market on Brevard Road in Asheville. An electronic version of the premium book, with downloadable forms, can be found online at www.mountainfair.org.

“We have a lot of interest in the competitions every year, but we would love to see even more people participate this year. The good news is that residents still have time to enter most of the competitions offered,” said Matt Buchanan, fair manager. “The competitions reflect our mountain heritage and showcase the skills of our residents, which makes these competitions truly unique.”

Competitions are divided into three categories: Division I for General Exhibits and Special Cooking Contests, Division II for Livestock Shows and Division III for Music, Dance and Song.

“Canned goods, wood carvings, quilts, handmade clothing, honey, shoe box floats, flowers, photography, art and jewelry are among the items that can be entered in the General Exhibits category,” Buchanan said. “So there is a competition for almost every interest.”

Each competition has its own rules, guidelines and deadline for entry submission, and residents should check the details for competitions they are interested in.

The N.C. Mountain State Fair takes place Sept. 10-19 at the WNC Ag Center. Advance discount tickets are on sale now at the WNC Ag Center, the WNC Farmers Market and at all western North Carolina Ingles stores. For more information, visit www.mountainfair.org or call (828) 687-1414.

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