FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2004
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: BECKY BRASHEAR, 301-663-5895

Entries also accepted on-line
Household, Farm and Garden Entry Times Change

FREDERICK, MD.– The Great Frederick Fair’s exhibit entry times in the Household and Farm and Garden Buildings will be different for the 2004 fair, as the fair draws near its 142nd annual observance, September 17-25.

"What we’re attempting to do is spread out some of the actual entry dates and times out so that it’s more convenient for our exhibitors and to help alleviate some of the congestion and the rush right at the time of the fair," said fair board President J.R. Ramsburg, Jr.

New entry dates and times have been set for exhibitors in the Household Building. Exhibitors planning to enter items can do so by the following schedule: all photography, fine arts and multi media entries will be accepted from 10 a.m-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11. They will be judged Sunday, Sept. 12. All other entries in the Household Building (all but baked goods, photography, fine arts and multi media) will be accepted from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15 and from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16. Baked goods entries will be accepted from 2-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17. Baked goods will be judged at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18. The building opens to the public at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18. Be sure to read the rules and regulations in detail as there are some entering requirements for the Household Department.

All entries in the Farm and Garden Building (Building 14A), except beer and wine, will be accepted from 4-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, and Friday, Sept. 17. Judging in that building will be done on Saturday, Sept. 18, with the building opening to the public at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Beer and wine entries will be accepted on Sunday, Sept. 12, from noon-5 p.m.

"We wanted all of the building exhibits to be open to the public by Saturday afternoon," explained Ramsburg. "This means that we need to make it more convenient to get the entries in earlier and get them judged so that we can open the buildings for public viewing at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18."

Again in the Farm and Garden Building will be the "Ask the Judge" session that will give the public the opportunity to learn about the judging process in that department. Farm and garden judges will be on hand in Building 14A on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions.

Pre-registration in the Household and Farm and Garden Buildings is not required. However, exhibitors can enter on-line in both divisions at www.thegreatfrederickfair.com. Those who enter on-line will be able to enter their items through an express line when items are dropped off on entry days.

4-H'ers planning to enter items in the indoor 4-H Building (Building 12) should consult the fair catalog for specifics on entry times and dates, and special rules, regulations.

A fee is charged for entries in the open class Household and Farm and Garden Departments with a fair pass given in exchange. Consult the fair catalog for specifics on the number of items entered allowed per ticket and entry fees. Entry fee payment is required when the exhibits are brought to the fair.

Open class livestock exhibitors can also enter on-line for The Great Frederick Fair, The Maryland State Fair and the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair on one form. Open class livestock are the only entries that can take advantage of this feature. Fair participants are strongly encouraged to read the rules and regulations to abide by for entry dates and times and class entries.

All of the entry dates, times and rules and regulations appear in the fair’s catalog which is available from the fair’s Administration Office, your local library, or the fair’s website at www.thegreatfrederickfair.com.

Livestock times and dates vary; consult the fair catalog for specifics. Entry forms for all open class livestock must be submitted to the fair office by August 15.

All premiums for each exhibitor will be combined into one check and mailed immediately following the fair.

At last year's fair, over 1300 exhibitors entered more than 3000 exhibits in the 4-H and open class farm and garden department, and 3000 exhibitors entered more than 4000 exhibits in the household department. In the 4-H Building, 1400 exhibitors entered nearly 4000 exhibits.

"These three buildings contain wonderful examples of hand-made and home-grown items," Ramsburg said. "Our fair is full of the best our county has to offer."

For additional information on entry times, contact the fair office at 301-663-5895 or the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service, Frederick County Office, at 301-694-1594.

The Household Building will feature demonstrations throughout the week by members of the Frederick County Homemaker Clubs. Complete demonstration schedules will be posted at each building fairweek.