Anchorage Daily News

July is the heart of summer, and that means it's fair time. I can remember the hot, sticky evenings in North Dakota when the place to be was our county fair. Strolling down the midway and eating cotton candy sure was exciting, but I could hardly wait to see the exhibits in the 4-H tent.

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This was where the real drama was, and everyone in town who did anything planned to enter it in the county fair. You could find a competition for canning, sewing, wood carving, quilting, painting, gardening, knitting and crochet, to name just a few. The ribbons were proudly displayed, and each winner got his or her picture in the local paper.

In a big state, such as Alaska, we have several state fairs rather than county fairs. They are regional celebrations and are comparable to the county fairs that I remember. They all offer fun, music, carnival rides, livestock shows and food, food, food.

First is the Southeast Alaska State Fair in Haines, July 24 to 27; second is the Tanana Valley State Fair in Fairbanks, Aug. 1 to 9; next is the Kenai Peninsula State Fair at the Ninilchik Fairgrounds, Aug. 15 to 17; and winding up this summer's fun is the Alaska State Fair in Palmer, Aug. 21 to Sept. 1.

The first state fair is only a couple of weeks away. It might be too late to knit or crochet something for this year's competition, but it will be worth your while to visit the displays. This is one way to find others who share your passion for needlework, and it's a great way to support their efforts. Learn what blue-ribbon knitting or crochet looks like. Seek out the "Best of Show" to understand what makes the judges smile and other knitters drool.

Recently, I was discussing the upcoming knitting competitions with other knitters. I was delighted to learn that one of the board members of our local knitting guild had entered her work in the knitting and crochet competitions a few years ago at the urging of her daughters.

That year the judges had taken the time to write supportive comments on the back of the entry tags encouraging her to seek out the local knitting guild. Her work was exceptionally good, and she won several ribbons.

She was so enthused by those comments and by her wins that she did just that. She has been a supportive guild member and a leader of the knitting community ever since.

Children learn so much from viewing these needlework competitions. With a little support, they can enter their own work and discover the thrill of seeing it proudly displayed right along with other entries.

Too often we think it would break their hearts not to win only to discover that this is where they will learn to cope with disappointment as well as humility when they actually win. Life's lessons go hand in hand with the courage to compete bravely. The categories are for all ages and for just about every type of needlework.

Get a copy of the exhibition booklet online by visiting www.alaskastatefair.org. You have until Aug. 11 to knit or crochet a project to enter in this year's competition. Don't be shy. Join in the fun.

Catherine Hollingsworth, interior designer, artist and professional knitwear designer, has lived in Alaska for 18 years. She is interim president of the Alaska State Yarn Council and past president of Knitters of the North. To reach her, e-mail twosticks@adnmail.com.

Alaska State Fair

ENTRIES ACCEPTED: Aug. 11 and 12, noon-8 p.m., Boys and Girls Club in Mountain View, 315 Price St. Entries are also accepted Aug. 15, noon-8 p.m. and Aug. 16, 10-6 p.m., Irwin Exhibit Building, Palmer fairgrounds. For more information, call Patti Miller at 1-907-376-0918 or Myler Almandinger at 1-907-746-7532. Knitters of the North Guild

• OPEN GUILD MEETING AND POTLUCK: Presentation of Stork Project baby layettes. Donations of baby items such as toiletries and diapers are welcome. 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Pioneer School House, lower level, 437 E. Third Ave. For more information, call Janice Chulick at 561-3933 or visit groups.yahoo.com/group/Knitters_North.

• IDIDACHAIN CROCHET GUILD: 10 a.m.-noon July 26, Lions Club clubhouse in Mountain View, Mountain View Drive. For more information, call Debbie Meester at 562-1630 or Elaine Hollinger at 1-907- 373-2535.

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