BRING OUT YOUR BEST: New registration requirements in effect for county fair craft entries

By T&D STAFF
Monday, September 08, 2008

Changes are under way for needle arts, ceramics and craft entries at the 2008 Orangeburg County Fair, set for Monday through Sunday, Sept. 29-Oct. 5.

All needle arts, ceramics and youth projects will be entered and shown with quilts in the arts building near the gazebo on the Orangeburg County Fairgrounds. There will also be room this year to fully display larger items in fancy work and crafts.

Also this year, entry information will be available online only, at www.orangeburgcountyfair.org. Those interested in participating who do not have access to a computer can call the fairgrounds at 803-534-0358, and a copy of the requested information will be mailed.

Since there will be additional space at this year's fair, all people in Orangeburg and the surrounding counties -- including Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Berkeley, Calhoun, Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester and Lexington -- are asked to bring out their best work for display. All items will be taken from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, in the arts building. This will be the only day entries will be accepted.

All entries must be from one of the counties listed above and must be the work of the person whose name is on the application. Youths are classified as individuals 19 year of age or younger, and seniors are classified as individuals 60 years of age or older.

Quilt classifications include appliqué, appliqué mixed or mixed, whole cloth pre-stamped, original design, first quilt, miniature, group quilt (three or more contributors), cathedral window-tied, pieced, paper pieced, cross stitch or embroidery, printed panel, T-shirt or miscellaneous, wall hanging, one plus one (two people contributing), household items or clothing and professional.

Fancy work categories include braiding, hooking, latch hook, hand-sewn articles, candlewicking, crewel, cross stitch (stamp designed), counted cross stitch, embroidery (all types), needlepoint (all types), crochet, knitting, tatting, smocking and such. No machine-sewn articles except aprons and doll clothes will be accepted in this department, and each adult exhibitor can enter up to 10 items in the fancy work department. Afghans, bedspreads, infant and children's apparel, pictures, pillows, rugs, tablecloths, adult apparel and general items are included in this category.

The youth fancy work and crafts exhibit is open to youths ages 5 to 19, and entrants can submit up to 10 items. Categories in youth fancy work and crafts are crochet and knitting, sewing (hand- or machine-sewn), needlework, hand crafts and miscellaneous.

Ceramic categories include glazed, underglazed, overglazed, special effects, stains, porcelain, fine arts, lamps, freehand or original design, decoupage and seasonal. Craft categories include decoupage, decorative tole painting, dolls, shell craft, quilling, shadow box art, wreaths, string art, macrame, jewelry, plaster craft, rice paper, patchwork, metal, eggery, dough art, mosaic, handmade flowers, wood carving and miscellaneous. Adults can enter up to 10 pieces, and children can enter up to five pieces.

The committee reserves the right to accept or refuse entries.

To speed registry, participants should complete two copies of the entry form, and attach one to the item and mail the other to: Betty Wilson, P.O. Box 173, Orangeburg, SC 29116, by Sept. 20. Quilt applications should be mailed to Deni Quay, 4075 Brown St., Orangeburg, SC 29118 by Sept. 12. There will be different stations for logging in entries according to classification, and those unable to register beforehand can bring their entries at the appointed time.

Entries will be available for pick-up from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, or by appointment on Monday, Oct. 6, at the fairgrounds office.

For more information, call Wilson at 803-274-8651 or Leigh Joyner at 803-534-6280.