Do you make jams and jellies? Enter them into the Fair!

submitted by Sandra Wiitala

The 79th Manchester Community Fair is fast approaching, and that means we have three more weeks to gather projects (or work on some new ones) for entry in the Exhibit Building at the Fair! This is an opportunity for Adults and kids to show off your cool collections, your unique hobbies, and your creative ventures. Entries will be accepted on Monday, August 5th, from 2pm to 8pm. (Note: Homemaker and Junior Homemaker award participants must register at the exhibit building by 4pm and all of their entry sheets need to be turned in by 7pm.) Entries get judged and small monetary prizes are awarded. It’s free and an awesome way to get your kids involved, too.

Check out this year’s fair book at https://manchesterfair.org (click on “2024 Fair Book“). In it are all of the categories available in which to exhbit. There are tons! Kids can enter a cool flower or leaves they find outside, artwork they did during the school year, painted rocks, a knitting project, bracelets they have made, or basically any collection they might be working on.  There are baking sections, Lego builds, and so much more! For the adults (and youths) looking to showcase their more refined talents, there are also fine art categories, canned goods, needlepoint, quilting, photography, etc.

Kids take a lot of pride in having their work displayed, and it is so easy to do. Look through the book with them and have them pick a few categories (or a LOT of categories). For those who are entering many categories, you should look at the requirements for the Homemaker and Junior Homemaker contests. Those entries require a varied entry list across at least five of the specified categories. Often it only takes a few more entries to qualify!

I really enjoy learning about the skills and interests of my neighbors by seeing their entered crafts, artwork, and handiwork. It’s fun for kids to have friends, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. tell them they saw the amazing projects and collections they made on display at the fair! Consider looking over the fair book with your littles, and pick out some projects you have made this year to enter or some to get started on.

If you have any questions about how to enter, what to enter, or anything about the process please email me (Sandra) at blue98tj@yahoo.com. Or call me at 734-649-3341. I would love to help you figure out how to enter your unique projects or answer any questions at all. Also we are always looking for volunteers! Would you like to help to preserve the legacy of the Manchester Fair and the unique experience of exhibiting for our local adults and kids? We would love to see you on set up day Saturday the 3rd, and especially on entry day Monday the 5th. A few extra hands available to log in entries and help with setting up the displays would be a great help. This is a fun opportunity for those who could use the community service hours and for some young people to begin their journey of community involvement and community building! See you at the Fair!