WPCNR COMMUNITY CHATTER. From the Yorktown Grange. August 11, 2007: The 83rd Annual Yorktown Grange Fair, slated for September 6th- 9th is only a few weeks away. Now is the time to start thinking about what fruits, vegetables, flowers, houseplants, baked goods, preserves, needlework, woodworking and photography you would like to have judged and maybe win the blue ribbon. If you are a Lego builder there is even a contest for you! Entries are also accepted for those who raise poultry and livestock with pre-registration. Anyone living anywhere may enter.
The first step for potential exhibitors is to obtain a schedule booklet that lists rules, regulations and prizes offered. The booklet can be viewed entirely by visiting our website at www.yorktowngrangefair.org or by phoning the fair office weekdays between 9:30 a.m.and 2 p.m. at (914) 962-3900.
The fair theme is “A Timeless Tradition”. All competitions are divided into three divisions:
Youth- for ages up to 11 yrs
Junior- ages12-17
Adult- 18 and older
(Exceptions are noted in the booklet)
Some of the areas of competition listed in the booklet include:
The Flower Show which features a design division, horticulture division and an expert division.
Produce has been a fair tradition since Chester Hyatt, a local dairy farmer and member of the Yorktown Grange, challenged his fellow grangers to a potato judging
contest in the fall of 1923. Today’s produce schedule lists much more for competition.
There are over 40 varieties of vegetables and fruits ranging from beans, beets and broccoli, to peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, acorn and butternut squash, apples, pears, peaches, plums, nectarines, melons, berries and grapes. There is also a category for Farm Market and Commercial growers, Heirloom vegetables & fruits, Civic Organization Award and Special collections. There are no entry fees. The annual auction of all produce will be Sunday night, Sept. 9th at 7:00 p.m. This is the fair’s finale each year.
Needlework continues to draw the finest in handiwork, all those who engage in this form of art are invited to exhibit. The schedule lists crochet and tatting, knitting, needlepoint, rug craft, crewel embroidery, counted cross-stitch, smocking, candle wicking, quilts and afghans.
The Home Baking Contest is separated into three categories: Adult (18 years and older), Junior-ages 12-17 and Junior-up to 11 years of age.
The Baking Show takes entries in the following categories: Jams and Jellies, Canned Fruit, Salsa, Molded/Filled or Covered Chocolate Clusters, Chocolate lollipops, Chocolate Decorating, Fudge and Hard Candies. Cake categories include: Coffee cakes-crumb or pound, Cakes made with Fruit or Vegetable, Bundt Cakes, All Chocolate cakes, all kinds of cupcakes, Cookies, Bar Cookies, Brownies, Traditional and Novelty Cake Decorating, Cookie Decorating and Gingerbread Houses. Pies-fruit/cream, Bread, and Rolls, Biscuits, Fruit and/or Nut Breads, all kinds of muffins and cheesecakes, and a category for “your favorite recipe”. There is no entry fee, but a limit of 3 entries per class is requested.
The Photography Show is for all the shutterbugs out there and has 6 sections: Floral/Still Life, Landscapes/Architecture, Farm Scenes, Pets and other Animals, People/Portraits and Computer Processed Photos. There is a limit of 5 entries per section. Black and White and Color will be judged separately.
The Woodworking Competition has 3 divisions: Youth Division –up to age 11, Junior Division ages 12-17 and Adult Division-ages 18 and older. The classes include furniture, ornamental, Carvings; Lathe turned projects and toys.
The Lego Show encourages the exhibitor to enter their original LEGO CREATIONS (no kits accepted). Divisions are: Youth 1: Ages 6-8, Youth 2: Ages 9-11,
Junior- Ages 12-17, Adult- Ages 18 and over.
The fair features a midway with rides and games, great food, live music every evening, audience participation contests, variety shows, antique tractor display, special demonstrations and livestock exhibits.
This year’s fair special performances include:
Friday Disco Night at 7:30
Saturday’s Musical performances: Annie and the Natural Wonder Band at 2:00 pm, Al Edwardsen’s East Coast Band at 5:30 and Sundown at 8 pm.
Sunday’s musical shows: Pax Romana at 1:30 and ThunderRoad at 5 pm
Fair hours: Friday & Saturday- Sept. 7th and 8th: 10am-11pm
Sunday-Sept 9th: 10am-9pm
Admission: Adults: $8.00 Children under 12: $3.00 Parking is free
