Airdrie and District Agricultural Society is hosting the 47th annual Horticultural and Bench show, Aug. 21-22, at the Plainsmen Arena in Airdrie.
The old-fashioned fall fair will feature a variety of homemade handicrafts, baking, preserves, artwork and home-grown vegetables and flowers.
Participants submit entries into a variety of categories and a panel of independent, qualified judges rank them and award prizes.
There is no cost to enter the fair.
“It is an open fair, so anybody can enter from Airdrie or outside of our district,” said Brenda Moon, president of Airdrie and District Agricultural Society.
“The talent we have in the area is surprising.”
This year, organizers are hoping to see more horticultural entries as they were down last year due to a hailstorm that ruined crops and gardens around the county in August.
This year, there is a safety related colouring contest for youth ages 16 and under. Submissions for the contest should be made Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Plainsmen Arena.
Pictures are on the website or interested youth can pick up the colouring sheets on Aug. 21 at the arena.
Participants of all ages are encouraged to enter exhibits, as there are categories for all ages - six and under to 65 and older. There is a limit of 20 entries per person.
Participants must drop off their exhibits on Aug. 21 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Judging takes place that afternoon and awards are presented at 3 p.m., Aug. 22.
The fair is open to the public on Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There is no fee for entry.
According to Moon, the fall fair helps keep this area’s heritage alive.
“It is important to keep our rural roots,” said Moon. “Our fast-paced, driven world doesn’t cut it all the time, we need to slow down and focus on what got us to where we are.”
A manual of information about entries and categories can be picked up from the following places in Airdrie: UFA, Frog Hollow Garden Center, Material Girls Quilt Shop, Pharmasave, Airdrie Public Library, Nose Creek Museum, Alberta Agriculture Building, Community Links, City of Airdrie, Cedarwood Station, Bethany Care Centre and Fletcher Village.
For more information on the fall fair, visit http://airdrieagsociety.com/events.php.
