by Ruth Griffiths
For me, the best part of the summer fair is the hall exhibits. I enjoy competing and seeing the entries others have brought for the various competitions.
Besides the usual competitions, this year there are several that celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation. A patio pot special offers gift certificates from Obsession Greenhouse for the best “patio pot or planter containing a variety of plants with both red and white flowers.” The planter or pot must be a minimum 12 inches across.
Also in the horticulture section, Class 209 offers gift certificates from Brayden’s Greenhouse for the best fresh floral arrangement celebrating Canada 150. Full rules are outlined in the Hall Prize Book. You can enter the horticulture section up to the morning of Aug. 2 but it’s a good idea to contact the Prince Albert Exhibition office now to get the Hall Prize Book and be assigned an exhibitor number.
In the Arts and Handicraft section you can celebrate Canada 150 in Class 1336, sponsored by Prince Albert Exhibition. Cash prizes are offered for the best handicraft into in red and white.
Entries into the Needlecraft and Baking section close July 22. There is a special needlework prize for competitors over age 65, a group that has consistently supported the Prince Albert summer fair.
There are also competitions for children in both needlework and baking. The 4-H Clubs have their own special competitions — providing a consistently good showing at the Exhibit Hall.
The arts and handicrafts section continues strong with the opportunity to show your skills in almost any craft. Children make an especially strong showing in this area, including the collections section. For example Class 1360 is for a model kit assembled by a child 12 or younger. The entry fee is just 50 cents.
The photography section seems to be expanding each year; it pulls a steady stream of viewers into the Exhibit Hall. Although July 22 is the entry deadline, you need to bring your photographs to the Exhibition Centre on July 27.
During the 134th annual Prince Albert summer fair, the Exhibit Hall is open free of charge noon to 9 p.m. each day Aug. 1-5. Stop by just to get out of the heat and stay to enjoy a wonderful display of local talent and ingenuity.
I’ll be involved in the flower-arranging demonstration on Aug. 3. You could win one of the arrangements that you have watched us assemble.
Prince Albert is one of the last truly agricultural exhibitions with strong showings in the cattle and horse competitions as well. Unfortunately, the Heavy Horse competition is no more. I will very much miss the parade of those massive horses.
As always West Coast Amusements will provide an action-packed midway. With your admission to the fair you are buying plenty of free entertainment, including chuck-wagon races and the grandstand shows. Everything winds up on Saturday night with a musical performance by CashBack, a Johnny Cash and June Carter Tribute Band. Fireworks on Saturday at 11 p.m. will wrap up another wonderful week at the fair.
