School is out, graduation parties are wrapping up, and the 2018 Dodge County Fair Open-Class Exhibitor Book has officially been released. The general public is invited to exhibit everything from art, craft projects, and photography to canning, baking, and much more in the open-class division at this year’s Dodge County Fair, Aug. 15-19, 2018. Take a look at all your finished, or almost-finished Internet-inspired creations, and get ready to show everyone your talents.

Larissa Schumann, Waterloo, exhibits with her Mom in photography every year, but she did not grow up exhibiting at the fair. “My Mom entered the photography category one year, and I tagged along,” commented Schumann. “Now I’ve been doing it ever since. I like taking pictures, and we learn a lot about what looks good in a photo to make us better photographers.”

Lisa Hall, Neosho, was mostly raised in New Mexico and has no fair background at all. “I actually started entering (in open class), because my kids are in 4-H,” commented Hall. “I wanted to show them it’s okay to do something different, and it doesn’t matter how you place, just that you’re brave enough to do it. I like seeing what other people think of my artwork and cooking. If you listen carefully, you can hear what they’re saying (the judges) and get advice for next year.”

Entry areas include, but are not limited to vegetables, flowers and plants, foods, clothing, knitting, crocheting, home furnishings, arts, crafts, photography, dairy products, honey, crops, and dairy cattle. Those interested can find the open-class exhibitor book and entry form online on the Open Class Exhibitor page of our website. Copies can also be obtained at a variety of banks and small-town grocery stores throughout Dodge County. The deadline is July 28 for cattle and Aug. 6 for the remaining categories.

By paying one fee of $25, exhibitors can enter as many projects as desired AND get a season pass for the 2018 Dodge County Fair (a $35 value). Monetary awards are presented to the top exhibitors in each category. The fair office is open during the summer, and the staff is more than willing to answer all questions about the open-class division. Call 920-885-3586.

Written by Dori Lichty — farm wife, 4-H Mom, and full-time communicator