Get ready for 'Homespun Fun' at county fair

Have a roll of duct tape sitting around? How about that old chair in the back of the garage? Santa Barbara County Fair coordinators have plans that may help spruce up your storage space while getting your creative juices flowing.

Fair coordinators, volunteers and Santa Maria Fairpark staff have been busy at work this winter preparing for the 128th Santa Barbara County Fair slated for July 15 to 19. The exhibitor handbook is now available, complete with deadlines and details about the annual event.

Each year, the exhibits staff tries to add new categories and make contests that appeal to the community, said Joe Brengle, deputy manager of Santa Maria Fairpark.

The 2015 fair theme Homespun Fun will be highlighted by new contests focused entirely on local creations. Paper art, duct tape art and painted chairs top the list of new contest divisions, while gardeners are invited to demonstrate their prowess with the new largest-tomato contest.

Duct tape has been around for ever, but the thought of creating things with it has blown up, Brengle said.

Duct tape art similar to the calla lilies shown will be one of the new contests offered. The 2015 fair theme "Homespun Fun" will focus entirely on local creations including paper art and painted chairs.

Competitors in the duct tape art division may enter clothing, flowers, wall hangings or any other item made of the sticky, colorful sealing tape.

The painted chair division is perhaps the simplest of all contests in this years fair: take any chair, paint it in any fashion, and enter in the fair.

Itll make a great display, and its the kind of fun project anyone can do, Brengle said.

Farm Supplys Quiz Jam kicks off the week of fairpark fun when it returns to Minetti Arena on July 13. Beginning at 5 p.m., four-member teams of area youth representing their 4-H and Future Farmers of America clubs will test their chops at farm skills which may include putting a tire on a tractor, demonstrations of roping skills, vaccination and ear-notching skills. Entries available at Farm Supply beginning June 15.

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Get ready for 'Homespun Fun' at county fair