Deadline for BBQ Cook-Off Entries Is Tuesday
RISON - The Cleveland County Fair Board encourages the public to enter anything from canned vegetables to artwork in this year's fair - and win a little cash in the process! Entries will be accepted this Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 10-11.
There is no cost to enter an exhibit at the fair, and the public can enter in as many categories as they like. Prize money is awarded based on the number of points awarded for each entry.
Unlike competitions, fair exhibits are judged on how well each entry meets the guidelines for that particular category. The closer an entry comes to meeting those guidelines, the higher number of points are awarded. Those points then determine how much money that entry will earn.
Categories for fair exhibits are wide ranging, and are divided into two divisions: a junior division for youth (ages 18 and younger) and a senior division for adults (ages 19 and older).
All exhibits, excluding livestock and baked goods, will be entered between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10. Baked goods must be entered between 9 and 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11. Livestock will be entered at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Among the categories that county residents can submit entries includes food preservation (canned fruits and vegetables, jams/jellies/preserves, pickles, relishes, dried foods and meats), hobbies, collections, crafts, hand-crafted sporting items (knives, game calls, fishing lures, etc.), fine arts and photography, plants and produce (vegetables, fruits), gourds, apiary (beekeeping), floral arrangement, Christmas decorations, pottery/ceramics, clothing, needlecrafts (sewing, crocheting, quilting, etc.) and more.
A complete list of categories and instructions can be found in the 2024 Cleveland County Fair tabloid. Printed copies are available at the Cleveland County Herald office (215 Main Street in downtown Rison) or the Cleveland County Extension office A digital replica of the fair tabloid can be found online at www.clevelandcountyherald. com.
Here is an overview of the schedule for next week's Cleveland County Fair:
Games and Activities
This year's fair will include bingo on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 12-13; plus live music and games with The Kinders on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 8:30 a.m. Smokey the Bear will also make an appearance.
Friday, Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. free hot dogs and homemade ice cream will be available for senior citizens and veterans.
Saturday will include a game day with bounce houses and dunking booth, leading up to the County Fair Queen Pageants and Talent Contest.
Pageants
The tabloid also contains entry forms for the Miss Cleveland County and Little Miss pageants.
The Cleveland County Youth Pageant will begin at 2:30 p.m. with the Cleveland County Fair Queen (continued from page 1A) and Junior Fair Queen Pageant & Talent Contest at 5 p.m.
Pageant Admission is $5 for age 10 & up.
For pageant info, contact Selena McDougald at (870) 820-5138.
BBQ Cook Off
Also on Saturday, Rison Shine will be hosting the Rison Barbeque Cook Off at the fairgrounds.
Entry forms for the BBQ Cook Off are available online at clevelandcountyarkansas.com The deadline to enter the Cook Off is Tuesday, Sept. 10.
Participation in the BBQ Cook Off will determine the prize payout. There will be a $50 entry fee per category – ribs, chicken or cooker's choice.
There will also be a People's Choice award determined by votes of those who purchase a $10 ticket.
All cook-off contestants are invited to participate in the People's Choice Contest. There is no cost to enter other than bring enough barbecue to provide samples to the public who will be judging the contest. The sample sizes will be left to the discretion of each cooker.
Half the money collected from the People's Choice fees will go to the single cooker who receives the most votes from the participating members of the public.
A portion of each entry fee, in addition to half of the People's Choice ticket sales, will go towards the Rison in the Fall Festival fund.
For questions regarding the BBQ Cook Off, contact Douglas Boultinghouse at (870) 510-2433, Rison Shine President Celeste Beatty at (501) 909-9441, Rison Shine Vice President Kristy Strother at (870) 550-0071, or Roy Phillips at (870) 461-0581.