Area bakers are encouraged to enter their favorite items at the Clay County Fair. In addition to two open class contests, there are 16 special contests to enter also. All the details and dates are available in the Creative Culinary Premium Book that is available online at www.claycountyfair.com under the agriculture tab. They are also available by calling Gayle Simons, Oven Products Superintendent, at 262-7827 or by stopping by the Fair Office at 1401 Fourth Ave. W. or by calling them at 262-4740.

Everyone is welcome to enter, there are no entry fees. Young people and adults are all eligible to enter. Oven Products, such as candies, breads, cookies, bars, decorated cakes and two-crust pies can be entered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5. Cream pies, layered, frosted cakes and single layer cakes can be entered on Thursday, Sept. 11 from 8-9 a.m. In addition to fair premiums we offer many great prizes from generous sponsors.

Throughout the year, but especially during these summer months, many area individuals have been busy canning and preserving their bounteous harvest. This truly is a labor of love and the Clay County Fair is an excellent place to showcase all their beautiful hard work.

There are no entry fees so we encourage everyone who cans, adults and youth, to bring in at least one jar. New exhibitors are always being sought. Entries can be brought in from 1-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Judging will begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4 and again on Friday, Sept. 5. All the details are available in the Creative Culinary Premium Book.

Fair organizers are excited to offer a new "Canning Presentation" in the Creative Living Center from 2-3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7. Iris Hemmingson, a judge and expert on canning will give a short talk and then will be available to answer your canning and preserving questions. Everyone is invited and encouraged to come to the Creative Living Center judging area and learn more about canning.

* Looking for a great gift or one more book to add to your cookbook collection? There are only about 100 cookbooks remaining after last year's Fair. Our original order of 1,000 cookbooks went so quickly, we placed an order for a second printing - now we're down to the last 100. Over 340 ribbon winning recipes will tempt your tastebuds! Stop by the Creative Living Center during the Fair to get your copy for only $10.