cated to all the good that comes from the soil.
Shylan Milligan, Extension Educator for Ag and 4-H Youth Development, offers several tips for those who want to show off their tomatoes, squash and pumpkins.
Having a current 2026 fair book in hand is the first step to discovering what you will be able to enter. This includes how many items to enter, and how to fill out your entry tags.
“ Look at the categories and areas. Determine if you have something that falls in one of those categories, say a squash or eggs. You determine that you are going to enter the squash,” Milligan said.“ It is very important to note how many squash is needed, in this case, two.”
On Wednesday from 4 to 7 p. m., the Open Class exhibits are entered. If you are a new exhibitor, you will need to go to the fairgrounds office in the conference center to obtain an official exhibitor number. You can use this number for any and all exhibits that you are entering. Make sure to keep up with it so you can pick up your entries when they are released.
After obtaining your exhibitor number, the next thing you will need is entry tags.
“ On the top of the entry tag is No., which is your exhibitor number,” she said.
That number is assigned by the office when you arrive to enter.
“ Next is the Division, so in this case, squash are vegetables which is Division 3028. The next thing to determine is what class of squash you grew. There is Class, 3725 yellow squash, 3726 zucchini squash, and 3727 all other squash such as patty pan / scalloped varieties. After division and class, make sure you write down what the items are, i. e. yellow squash,” she said.“ Lastly, put your name and address on the bottom of the entry tag. If you have questions, please ask. We’ re happy to help.”
Milligan offers more tips, noting that they offer many classes( classifications) for fruits and vegetables.
“ We even have a class for the most unusual vegetable,” she said.“ The kids love
to see the pumpkins that everyone has grown.”
Milligan said everyone has different favorites.
“ One of my personal favorites is the home garden basket,” she said.“ Exhibitors place six to 10 different species of fruits and vegetables that they have personally grown in a basket or container with their choice of packing such as straw, paper, or cloth, and they are judged on neatness, eye