Entry deadlines set for popular Fall Festival contests

With the annual Pahrump Fall Festival less than a month away, those interested in one of the more popular happenings are urged to prepare for the event now.

The arts and crafts, food and horticulture contest will return to this year's festival, taking place inside the Bob Ruud Community Center, located at 150 N. Highway 160.

According to Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Salli Kerr, it's one of the most participated-in events of the entire festival.

"Typically between the arts and crafts, you know the sewing and quilting, the horticulture and the handcrafted jams and those kinds of things, it's usually about 300 entrants," Kerr said. "The Bob Ruud Center is typically full by the time they get everything set up."

Arts and crafts entries will be taken Monday, Sept. 21, and Tuesday, Sept. 22, from noon to 7 p.m., and food and horticulture entries can check in on Tuesday, Sept. 22, from noon to 7 p.m., and Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m.

The event is open to all ages. Adults are charged $1 per entry while children under 12 will only have to fork over 50 cents per entry.

The age divisions are split into tadpole – 0 to 4 years old, peewee – 5 years old to 8 years old, youth – 9 years old to 12 years old, teen – 13 years old to 17 years old years, adult – 18 years old and over, and stars, special needs friends of any age.

The arts division is broken down by photography, original compositions, graphic art and creative writing. The crafts are divided into ceramics, bead work, wood work, dolls, needlecraft and quilting.

If you're wondering if what you do will qualify for the contest, odds are it will. There are 15 sections and over 300 categories to choose from.

Judging for the events is based on a number of different aspects, depending on which category one enters.

For food cannery, safe canning practices, that all the guidelines were followed, proper amount of headspace, color of the product, visual presentation and one other important aspect make up the judging for the event.

"Taste," Kerr said. "They actually judge canned food based on taste, so they're hoping it's done correctly because they'll be tasting it."

Baking is judged on uniformity, appearance, texture and flavor. Vegetables are decided upon based on comparison with standard produce, overall appearance and uniformity. All entrants in the vegetable category are required to provide four of whatever vegetable they have to satisfy the rules.

Arts and crafts will be looking for composition and design, originality, technique, while crafts will be judge based on appearance, originality, workmanship and quality.

The event will be judged on Thursday, before the general public is able to view the entries, so ribbons will be placed on the award-winning entries for those in attendance beginning Friday to clearly see.

So take a break from the heat, yes highs will still be near 90 degrees in late September, and make your way into the air-conditioned Ruud Center to see what Pahrump residents have to offer.

Kerr recommends that interested entrants pick up a schedule, rules, categories and entry forms at the Chamber office or download from their website at www.pahrumpchamber-fall-festival.com

You can also call the Chamber for more information at 775-727-5800.