Enter open classes at the San Luis Valley Fair

MONTE VISTA — The San Luis Valley Fair invites all Valley residents to show in the open classes at the area fair this summer. Open classes are an opportunity for residents to show off their skills in areas as diverse as baking, photography, gardening and quilting.

Entries are judged on Monday, August 7, then remain on display throughout the fair, which runs from August 5 to 11 at Ski Hi Park in Monte Vista. Ribbons and other prizes are awarded for the top entries in each division.

There are 10 open class divisions including: Special Events, Baked Goods, Canned Goods, Clothing, Needlework, Fine Arts and Crafts, Photography, Hobbies and Miscellaneous Handiwork, Flower Show, and Farms Crops and Gardening. Featured special events include classes for fairy gardens, Lego building, and barnyard junk art. There is also a class for “almost homemade” food creations, which incorporate a store bought mix with other ingredients. In addition, the People’s Choice Quilt Show is returning. This special show has no entry fee and is for handmade quilts that have a story behind them.

San Luis Valley residents of all ages may compete in the open show, but only projects completed since the 2016 Fair may be entered. Project check-in is Monday, August 7, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The entry fee is $5 for unlimited entries. Exhibitors can register in advance on the Fair Entry website at https://sanluisvalley.fairentry.com or they can register on site at during check-in. Projects and awards can be picked up on Saturday, August 12 from 8 to 9 a.m.

More Open Class information, including individual rules for each division, can be found on pages 9-13 of the 2017 SLV Fair Book, which can be downloaded at http://tiny.cc/2017fairbook. A limited number of print copies of the book are available for pick up at the San Luis Valley Area Extension office at 1899 E. Hwy 160 in Monte Vista.

For more information on the San Luis Valley Fair visit www.sanluisvalleyfair.com.