New Jersey State Fair® - Worldnow

Page 22 New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm & Horse Show New Jersey Sunday Herald, July 31, 2011
Most often identified as the
big blue building, the Richards
Building houses a wide variety
of exhibits. Four divisions of
the fair share quarters in the
four corners of the building:
Honey, Art, Photography,and
Creative Arts for Home &
Hobby.
The honey corner showcases
the entries in the Honey Show,
products made from honey and
a cross-section from a hive on
exhibit. But the real draw is
outside the building- the cage
where the fearless Tom Webb
This year’s annual fair basket is a
real keepsake, and harkens back to
the days when a bread box sat on
every kitchen cabinet next to the
canisters.
Made in America by the American
Traditions Basket Company in Ohio,
the bread basket is a limited edition
collector’s basket. Each is made of
Richards Building in center of fairgrounds worth a look
lectures fairgoers on the care of
bees while standing in the midst
of them. People are either fascinated
or repelled by sight of
bees investigating the human in
their midst.
The Photography Show
abuts the Honey Show. Its panels
offer a wide assortment of
photos from children and adults
in categories such as flora,
fauna, portrait, still life, architecture
and landscape. Black
and white and color both have
their fans. Prizes are awarded
to students in age groups and to
handwoven hard maple, signed and
dated by the artisan, and numbered.
The Bread Box Basket is 16 inches
by 12.5 inches by 5/25 inches by 10.75
inches. It has a plastic protector and
a wooden lid, with leather hinges and
a porcelain knob. The lid has a carving
of the barn at the entrance to the
fairgrounds, a map of New Jersey,
adults in two amateur divisions,
and there is an alternative
imaging class open to all age
groups. A stroll through this
corner of the Richards Building
will yield something of interest
to everyone.
The Art Show is open to artists
of all ages, and the children’s
division of the show has
seen real growth in the last several
years.
All kinds of medium are on
display in the work by Sussex
County artists. Much of the
work is for sale, as well as The
Little Gallery with additional
work available for purchase.
Taking up an entire side of the
building is the Creative Arts
for Home and Hobby Division.
This includes canning and baking
classes, handicrafts, Quilts
of Valor, a demonstration kitchen,
and changing exhibits. Eyecatching
quilts are hung from
the ceiling, and fairgoers can
vote for their favorite.
Formerly called Home
Economics, the Creative Arts
for Home and Hobby offers an
area for everyone. Children can
ribbons stating “Celebrating
Agriculture” and “A Family Tradition
Since 1940”. There is a commemorative
brass plaque on the front of the
basket on the hunter green splint
that runs around the edge.
Priced at $60, the basket may be
ordered from the fair Administration
Building, by calling 973-948-5500.
enter the Cupcake Decorating
Contest.
The final weekend is the new
and popular Men’s Weekend
with demonstrations and exhibits.
All classes in baking, canning
and handicrafts are open to children
as well as adults.
Grandma’s cookie contest is
for grandma (or grandpa’s)
favorite recipe. Children serve
as judges.
Some of the baking events at
the fair can be found on Page
36.
Bread box souvenir available to commemorate day at the fair