COLUMBUS -- Say the words, “Platte County Fair” and images that spring to mind might be of the animal barns, the brightly lit midway or the exhibit hall lined with projects adorned with purple, blue, red or white ribbons.
Last year 258 exhibitors in the Open Class category brought nearly 1,400 exhibits to the hall. Open Class exhibits are each judged separately from those entered as 4-H projects.
The Open Class of the Platte County Fair will begin Monday. Entries for the Fine Arts Department must be entered between 7:30-11:30 a.m. Monday. Other departments will be entered July 9.
Open Class exhibitors to the Platte County Fair can be residents of any age who reside in Platte County or the adjoining counties of Boone, Butler, Colfax, Madison, Merrick, Nance, Polk and Stanton.
Entries can be made in several categories including poultry, field and garden crops, floral, baked and canned goods, fine arts and photography.
Lori and Dan Humlicek and their four children are well acquainted with the county fair and exhibiting Open Class projects.
Dan’s mother, Marcella Humlicek, has been exhibiting in the Open Class for more than 50 years, and Dan and Lori have continued that tradition with their children.
“We have Open Class exhibits in poultry, sewing, cooking and photography,” said Lori Humlicek. “The kids have done pretty good the last five years with lots of showmanship awards with their 4-H and Open Class poultry, purple and blue ribbons on their 4-H projects and good results with their Open Class projects.”
Humlicek said the criteria for the Open Class projects is usually different for 4-H and Open Class projects in categories such as sewing, cooking and photography. She said the Open Class projects offer much more freedom than similar 4-H projects in some categories.
“Open Class projects give the kids a great experience,” she said. “We’re learning every year and with each experience we hope we’re doing better.”
Open Class fair books are available at the Platte County Agricultural Park General Office and the Platte County Extension Office in the basement of the Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St. Interested persons also may request a fair book by e-mail at bagpark@megavision.com.
Entry dates and times along with rules and regulations are printed in the fair book.
For more information or questions, contact Jill Goedeken at 564-0740.
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