Start planning for your possible blue-ribbon or best-in-show winning entries in our community’s annual Gila County Fair Sept. 25-28. Gardeners? You can enter fruits and veggies literally ‘from A-to-Z’ if you grew superb apples, zucchini, or just about any horticultural category in between – and yes, even unusual varietals such as quince, Jerusalem artichokes, kohlrabi or elephant garlic. In fact, the fair book list no less than eight separate categories for tomatoes; read them all at gilacountyfair.com, where you can enter exhibits online, or download entry forms. 
And deadlines? Whether online or in person, Sept. 18 is the deadline to submit entry paperwork; in-person forms can be dropped-off at the Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce that day from 12:00 – 7:00 p.m. You’ll deliver your actual entries at the Gila County Fairgrounds Sept. 21, also from 12-7 p.m.
Homemaking Arts
Here’s a whole ‘nother competition area, and if you’ve sewn a unique garment, crib blanket, costume, onesie,  or fashion accessory – enter yours for a shot at Best In Show! Bakers are invited to submit bread entries ranging from white and whole wheat to sourdough, banana, zucchini, coffee cake – or a dozen other entry options. Cakes, pies and cookies, too. Do your homemade tamales score rave reviews from friends and family? ‘Mexican Cookery’ classes in the fair include tortillas, frijoles, sopapillas, tamales and hot sauce.  Winemakers are encouraged to enter your zinfandel, malbec, sangiovese, tempranillo or pinot noir. Beer categories range from ales, lagers and porters to “spontaneous fermenting amber.”

Canning
Competitors include pickles, vegetables, jellies, jam, butter, marmalade – and even meat, poultry or fish.  
‘Photography’ has divisions for youth, adult and age 75+; with a separate class for pros – an no less than 45 categories for subject matter from ‘abstract’ to ‘wildlife.’ Again, check out the fair book online and scroll down to page 80 for Department J – Photography. 

Deadlines 

Sept. 18 is the deadline to enter online, or fill out paperwork for each entry in-person at the Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce from 12-7pm
Sept. 21: Deliver your entries to the exhibit hall in the main building at the Gila County Fairgrounds from 12pm-7pm.
Questions? Exhibit categories and rules are all in the fair book, easy to find online at  gilacountyfair.com,  for updates about events, activities and entertainment please like-and-follow facebook.com/gilacounty.fair.