I write this in the midst of trying to get booths ready for building 3 at the Pensacola Interstate Fair, so I'll write about: the fair, HCE, 4-H, etc.
This year I'm involved in several booths for Building 3 of the Pensacola Interstate Fair. Most of you think rides, sideshows, cotton candy, elephant's ears and other things when you hear the word fair. Those of us in HCE (Home and Community Educators – formerly Homakers' Clubs) think demonstration booths and the Country Store.
The heart of the fair traditionally was the exhibits by local people. Building 3 at the Pensacola Interstate Fair houses exhibits by HCE groups and individuals, 4-H groups and individuals, FFA, whatever they're calling FHA these days (My apologies to any members who read this.), and communities. Building 3 also houses the HCE Country Store featuring canned goods, crafts, baked goods and candy.
Other exhibit buildings include: the livestock barn featuring cows and chickens, although other animals and fowl are displayed, the Red Barn, a 4-H exhibit and educational building, Building 2 featuring school art exhibits, a photography exhibit, woodcarvers and many other exhibits, Building 1 featuring antique car exhibits and layouts designed and built by the Pensacola Model Railroad Club, and a building (not sure if it's numbered) featuring flower exhibits, art exhibits, gemstone exhibits, and exhibits of antique home gadgets and furnishings.
This year my HCE club, Sew & So, will have four booths: “Ready For Winter” a hand needlecraft booth, “We Made it from the Clothesline” a machine sewing booth, “Fun with Fleece” our miscellaneous booth, and a handcraft booth about wreath making. My TOPS club will also have four booths: “Decorate from the Scrap-pile” our handcraft booth, a hand needlecraft booth which I am not involved with (Our hand needlecraft team usually scores high.), “Shadow Boxes” our miscellaneous booth, and “Mix and Match for School” our machine sewing booth. As I was taking my turn being building hostess one year I overheard a young woman say to a friend, “It's like Pinterest in person.”
If you go to the Pensacola Interstate Fair this year, as you are enjoying the sights, sounds, sensations, smells and tastes of the midway, don't forget to take some time to visit the heart of the fair. You will probably see exhibits done by someone you know or at least know of. You may even see me.
Our next ASHS meeting is Tuesday, October 16th at 6 pm in the Leach House Museum, 4th and Jefferson in Century. Our museums are open every Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm, and anytime (within reason) by appointment. You can call me for an appointment (850-417-9803). We welcome individuals, families, school groups church groups, or groups of any other kind to call for appointments for tours, no group too small and we have plenty of guides we can call in for large groups.
