Are you crafty? For artisans of any age, August 1 to Sept 16 is when entry for the crafts, cakes and creative arts exhibit for the 2022 Volusia County Fair and Youth Show happens.
Creative arts covers a wide range of handmade items, including knitting, crocheting, creative needle work, afghans, jewelry making, mosaics, wood carving, holiday crafts, toys, and much more. Awards are given out in three youth divisions, 5 to 7 is peewee, 8 to 12 are junior, and 13 to 18 (still in high school) are senior youth. The adult division is 18 and older.
If you don’t think your neighbors are talented, this exhibit will make you think again. There is so much talent in the Hester Building during fair time it may take you a while to walk through and examine it all.
Decorated sugar eggs are a highlight of the creative arts exhibit. The decorated egg competition is open to VPK students in daycare up to age 18 (in high school). Remember the fair is a youth show and kids are encouraged to participate. The sugar eggs are typically so creative fairgoers wonder where the Easter bunny is and why he’s not judging the exhibit.
Of course, there’s much more talent to be displayed in the canning and creative baking arts. Young and older cooks usually bring in hundreds of the best cookies, pies, homemade candies and cupcakes made in Volusia County. The judges have fun tasting and rating each entry. Judges take age into consideration each entrant’s age during the judging. It’s not just taste that wins a prize, but consistency and presentation are considered, too.
Another creative arts thrill is the gingerbread house competition. If you love looking at this popular exhibit at the fair, why not make 2022 the year to show off your talents? Snowmen and candy canes decorate many of the houses, but some are excellent, edible sculptures of local places. Every gingerbread entry must be completely edible, except for the display board it sits on.
Do you sew? There are plenty of sewing categories to enter. Small and large projects are welcome. Fair-goers love to see the sewing and quilted art, because of the designs and effort put into them and the fact that they’re all different.
Other categories to enter include horticulture, fine arts like painting, photography, graphics, sculpture, woodworking, poured painting and abstract painting. There is a themed table setting category, too. Did the engineering and technology exhibit get a mention? And don’t forget the Future Farmers of America and school exhibits.
The Volusia County Fair and Youth Show is all about community involvement in the creative arts events at the fair and hundreds of residents sign up each year. Sign-up begins August 1. For more information visit volusiacountyfair.com or call the fair office 386-734-9514.