Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 6, 1994 TAG: 9407050032
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAN VERTEFEUILLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
From most unusual vegetable to woodcarving to tie-dye, participants entered their handiwork or that of their gardens in more than 300 classes of competition. The "WSLS Spirit of Virginia" exhibits were judged Thursday and are on display throughout the week in the community room of the Salem Civic Center.
The agriculture and handicraft displays are dwarfed by the commercial aspects of the fair. There are no livestock exhibits, but still the competition drew entries from as far as Virginia Beach and Georgia.
Three hundred and seventy people entered the competitions, said Carolyn Bass, extension agent-4-H with the Cooperation Extension Service. And the fair has room for more.
"Anytime you have people showing off their skills, you'd like to see that grow," she said.
One ribbon-winner in the decorated vegetable class for kids was a frog fashioned out of a green pepper, with a potato for a mouth and what appeared to be carrot slices and onions for eyes.
The photography exhibits displayed pictures that could have been taken by professionals (only amateurs may enter the competitions) and the sewing and needlework represented dozens of hours of work by their makers.
This year's weather affected some of the exhibits - there were no roses this year and only one tomato plant, of the cherry variety, was entered.
Fairgoers can tour through the viewing areas and admire the entries, but as the sign says, "No petting the peppers."
by CNB