By Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Hopkins County Family & Community Health Agent, [email protected]
The Hopkins County Fall Festival Creative Arts Contest is one of the premier events of the annual Fall Festival. With multi-talented individuals who enter one or more items to be judged, combined with a large group of volunteers to staff the event, and topped off with highly qualified trained individuals to judge the entries, the Creative Arts contest is a sight to behold!
As a word of explanation, this is a totally separate event from the Arts & Crafts Show (more on that later). This is a contest, similar to the State Fair of Texas Creative Arts contest (but on a slightly smaller scale). The contest will take place in the Sulphur Springs High School Conference Center, October 20-22, 2022. Due to space limitations, entrants must be from Hopkins County, but anyone is welcome to visit the event during public viewing. Professional exhibits will not be allowed (example: professional photos, professional floral arrangements, etc.) Below are some additional guidelines:
- Articles must have been made within the past year (September, 2021 through October, 2022.)
- Items may be entered at the high school Conference Center Thursday, October 20 between 4:30 and 6 p.m., or Friday, October 21 between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. No entries will be accepted after that time unless approved by the registration committee. If these times are not possible for the individual, items may be taken to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office Monday, 1200 West Houston, Sulphur Springs, October 17 through Wednesday, October 19, 8:30 to 4:30 p.m.
- Age divisions are: Children (ages 10 and under); Youth (ages 11-19); Adults (ages 20-69); and Mature Adults (ages 70 and up). We also have an assisted living and nursing home division.
- Entries must use labels provided at registration.
- Judging of entries will take place on Friday, October 21, beginning at 10 a.m. Each entry will be awarded a ribbon based on merit. Best of Show and Reserve Best of Show will be selected from blue ribbon winners in each division.
- Items will be on display to the public following judging on Friday, October 21 until 5 p.m. and on Saturday, October 22 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Check-out begins at 1:30 p.m. Items should be picked up by 2:30 p.m.
- Best of Show and Reserve Best of Show recipient pictures will be taken at 1:30 p.m. in the Conference Center on Saturday, October 22. Winners will not be contacted, so please check your entries for ribbons and make plans to be there!
- The Creative Arts Committee is not responsible for any damage that may occur during public viewing times. However, volunteer staff will be on hand at all times to keep watch on the exhibits.
Entry categories are: Art, Baked Goods, Clothing Construction, Creative Crafts, Decorated Crafts, Food Preservation, Handiwork, Holiday-Seasonal, Horticulture, Photography, Quilts, and Woodworking. There are several classes for each category, and individuals may enter as many classes as desired.
Entry fee is only $1 per adult to help defray expenses. Children and students will not be charged. Contact my office at 903-885-3443 for a full list of categories and make plans to enter the 2022 Creative Arts Contest!
Closing Thought
Not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love. – Mother Teresa
Contact Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension for Family & Community Health Agent, at the Hopkins County Extension Office, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected].
