Spring Fair accepting entries for Creative Kids Exhibit

The days are getting longer, the sun is coming out more frequently, and flowers are slowly blooming. With spring’s arrival comes the annual Washington State Spring Fair.

Fair officials are in the midst of preparing for exhibits ranging from livestock to hobbies and crafts. One of those is the Creative Kids Exhibit, where children ages 6 to 15 show off their crafts to judges to earn ribbons and prizes.

“It’s amazing what these kids bring in,” said Kathy Brooks, Creative Kids superintendent. “The photography is amazing, really fun textiles and clothing items. The art is always amazing. I’m amazed by the talent at such a young age. It’s an encouraging and positive place to shine.”

The Creative Kids Exhibit, now in its 22nd year, is currently accepting spot entries until 10 p.m. April 4. Children can enter their work in two age divisions: 6 to 10 years and 11 to 15 years; ren can enter as part of three groups: Individuals, School Classes, and Quick Groups (i.e. 4-H, home school).

Only one entry per class (e.g. one mixed media and one sculpture) will be accepted.

Brooks and her crew typically receive about 1,500 entries that are judged and put on display in the Pavilion, a building that focuses on kids, called KidZone. The Master Gardener’s Kids Activity and FFA exhibits are also located in KidZone.

The Puyallup School District’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competition will be held on the second floor of the Pavilion.

Creative Kids Exhibit entries include seven categories: art, baking & confections, creative writing, paper crafts & scrapbooking, photography, textiles, and an egg drop contest. Last year 1,592 entries were submitted.

Judges in each category are considered experts in their field, and most are teachers.

“I encourage the judges to give good, positive learning comments,” Brooks said. “If it’s a sewing thing where the seams are wobbly, I’d encourage the judges to give them good advice.”

The Creative Kids Showcase presentation will be held in the Pavilion at noon April 17. Students who enter their creative writing on April 7 or 8 can sign up to read their written work to the audience at the Showcase on April 17.

In the Baking Department, awards for first and second place honors in each age division will be presented by the Washington Association of Wheat Growers for the most outstanding yeast bread using wheat. First-, second- and third-place honors in each division will be presented by Seattle Fudge in the Parent-Child Candy Contest.

Pre-registered entries and summary sheets should be delivered to the north end of the Pavilion, first floor at the Washington State Fair Events Center on April 7 and 8, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Entries can be delivered by the entrant, their teacher, parent or other representative. No mailed entries will be accepted.

Register at thefair.com/participate/exhibit-entries/.

This story was originally published March 22, 2016 at 3:49 PM with the headline "Spring Fair accepting entries for Creative Kids Exhibit."