It’s time to think about entering fair exhibits at the Harvey County Fair! Here are some tips on selecting vegetables and what the judge will be looking for!
Beans
- Uniform in size, shape, color, and stage of maturity.
- Free of blemishes.
- Seed about half matured in pod.
- Not stringy, should snap readily when bent.
- No broken ends.
Carrots
- Uniform in size, shape and color.
- Smooth, clean and fresh.
- Typical of type
- Tops trimmed 1 to 3 inches (1 to 11⁄2 inches preferred). Trim tops evenly and cut should be fresh.
- Avoid carrots with green discoloration at the top.
- Remove all side or hair roots and trim taproots evenly.
Cucumber
- Firm specimens
- Dark green color
- Uniform length and size. Avoid pointed or uneven diameter specimens.
- Specimens may be washed but do not wax or oil.
Eggplant
- Fresh, not wilted or soft.
- Wipe with moist cloth.
- Uniform color, bright, deep and shiny
- Heavy, firm and free from blemishes.
- Avoid bronze discoloration.
Okra
- Harvest when half grown (about 2- to 3-inch pods).
- Woody pods are overmature.
- Uniform in size, shape and color.
- Leave stems on—trim to 1⁄2 inch with stems trimmed evenly.
Onions, Mature
- Uniform, mature, solid, bright.
- Neck small and well cured or dry.
- Smooth, clean with outside skin intact. DO NOT PEEL.
- Color typical of variety
- Tops trimmed 1⁄2 to 1 inch above the bulb.
- Roots neatly trimmed 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 inch below bulb.
Squash, Summer (Zucchini,Yellow Crookneck or Straightneck, Patty-Pan)
- Specimens should be uniform in size, shape and color.
- Stems should be attached and trimmed 1⁄2 to 1 inch.
- Specimens should be immature or rind should not be tough or hard (specimens 6 to 9 inches long are preferred).
- True to variety type and free from blemishes and dirt.
Tomatoes
- Select for varietal type, size, color, and maturity.
- Firm, free from cracks, disease, insect, and mechanical injury.
- Remove stem when exhibiting.
- Do not get overripe or soft specimens.
- Exhibit with stem end down.
Vegetable and flower exhibit entries will be accepted from 8:00 AM until 11:00 AM Saturday August 5th in the commercial building of the Harvey County Fair. I hope to see you at the Harvey County Fair!