Salinas Valley Fair entry deadline is approaching

KING CITY, CA— The deadline is approaching on Monday, April 2 for Salinas Valley Fair entries which are open to all residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara and Fresno. Act quickly for some deadlines to enter, competitions close on Monday, April 2, 2018.  Entry forms must be completed by the deadline.  Forms are available at the fair’s website, in the entry competition handbook and forms must be postmarked by the due date for each department. The fair also offers electronic entry processing.  Links to the online entry system, entry deadlines and forms are all available at www.SalinasValleyFair.com

“Your fair entry is what makes our event special and unique,” said Michelle Ferrari, Salinas Valley Fair Entry and Exhibits Coordinator.  “Each year I am amazed by the variety of items entered by our community”.   She explained that last year the fair received nearly 1,400 livestock entries and over 6,000 entries for artwork, baked goods, industrial art, floriculture, ag mechanics, 4-H, FFA, photography and more.  In 2017, the Salinas Valley Fair awarded close to $12,000 in cash and gave away another $7,000 in prizes to winning entries.

Ms. Ferrari encourages those interested in participating to contact the fair entry office or to reach out to the competition directors. “We are dedicated to assisting everyone in getting fair entries in on time and helping you to find the right competition for your entry. My team is here to help with your questions”.

To that end, Salinas Valley Fair Floriculture volunteer, Kim Schmidt, has been visiting local schools and hobby clubs answering questions and promoting the fair’s floriculture department.  “My favorite part in my visits is getting to know all the neat people in our Valley. It’s really a kick,” said Schmidt.  In her meetings Kim answers questions about entry forms and explains all the categories within floriculture. “We have competitions for every skill level and every interest for gardening, flower arranging, potted plants, cut flowers and other floral crafts”.

With over 300 competitions for all ages in baked goods, arts, crafts, home arts, photography and more there is bound to be a competition to show off your talent or your child’s works.  Consider entering your student’s school project like their missions, castles or state flags.  Think about entering the fair’s Quinceanera Table Top design contest in the Home Arts department to show-off how you would decorate a Quinceanera and win a blue ribbon for your design.  There’s even a category to showcase the greatest Lego creations.

One of the most popular competitions is the photography competition. There are over 20 different classes and the opportunity to award a lot of blue ribbons for the best photographers in our region.  New in photography is the State Parks photography class.  Show-off your best picture taken at our California State Parks like Limekiln or Julia Pfeiffer Burns in Big Sur and win a one-of-a-kind rosette ribbon and a pass to visit any California State Park.

To see all available categories, view the entry guidebook, print entry forms or enter online visit www.SalinasValleyFair.com and choose the ‘Fair Competitions’ tab.  To enter by mail, pick up a guidebook at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds,  625 Division Street, King City, CA.  For more information contact the entry office by phone at 831-385-3521 or message the Salinas Valley Fair on their Facebook page.

The 2018 Salinas Valley Fair runs May 17-20 in King City.  The Salinas Valley Fair is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 whose mission is to showcase the annual fair, promote the talent and education of citizens of all ages and provide a year round setting for community service and celebration.  Each year, over 200 events are held at the fairgrounds visited by nearly 120,000 people. To learn more about the Salinas Valley Fair visit their website www.SalinasValleyFair.com or call the fair office at 831-385-3243.