NEW ONLINE ENTRY PROCESS FOR EXHIBITING AT STANISLAUS COUNTY FAIR

            Your chance to showcase your masterpieces at the county’s largest community event is just a mouse click away.

Do you bake, decorate, can, preserve or make a homemade brew? How about sew, crochet, weave, knit, quilt or needlework? Or, does your hobby include gardening, planting or arranging? If you’ve answered yes, join thousands of your neighbors and friends who exhibit their creative talents at the Stanislaus County Fair—July 25 through Aug. 3, 2008.

New for the 2008 Fair is the convenience of entering your exhibits from the comfort of your own home computer. For online entry into the county’s biggest talent exhibition, visit www.stancofair.com (Exhibits Page) starting May 5 or to enter by mail, download your entry forms from the website. Exhibit information and entry forms may also be picked up at the Fair office – 900 N. Broadway in Turlock.

            “The ability to enter exhibits online makes it quick, simple and convenient,” said Pennie Rorex, spokesperson for the Stanislaus County Fair. “The exhibit program is the heart of our Fair and it is what sets our Fair apart from a traditional amusement park.”

          The theme of this year’s Fair, “Nuts are Dino-mite,” is a central focus of many of the 2008 exhibit categories and special contests. Be prepared to take a journey to see the best themed artwork, Lego creations and photographs, to name a few. Expert table setters can submit their “Nuts are Dino-mite” settings for cash prizes, too.

            For all food lovers there will be special contests for cookies, fudge, BBQ ribs, apple and sweet potato pies, jam, homemade ice cream and special dishes with nuts included. Everybody and every age are welcome, so be sure to take this opportunity to exhibit your masterpieces.

For a complete listing of all the available exhibit categories and details, please visit the Stanislaus County Fair website at www.stancofair.com. Click on the exhibits link to download the Exhibitor Handbook information and enter today.

            Handbooks are also available at the following locations beginning May 5: Turlock, Stanislaus County Fair, Cloth & Quilts, Jaureguy’s Paint & Decorating, Turlock Library, Turlock Livestock Auction, Valley Distributors, Western Valley Insurance; Ceres, Ceres Library, Suszanne’s Ceramics; Crows Landing, Mt. View Feed & Seed; Denair, Denair Library; Empire, Empire Library; Hilmar, Hilmar Cheese; Hughson, Hughson Library; Keyes, Keyes Library; Newman, Newman Library; Oakdale, Oakdale Feed, Oakdale Library; Patterson, Patterson Library; Riverbank, Morris Nursery, Riverbank Library; Salida, Salida Library; Waterford, City of Waterford, Waterford Library. Exhibitor handbooks and entry forms are also available at the following Modesto locations: Edwards Cake & Candy, JS West Milling, Nasco West, Scenic Nursery and Stanislaus County Free Library.

The 2008 Stanislaus County Fair opens Friday, July 25 for a 10-day run. Discounted Fair admission tickets, arena event tickets and unlimited ride wristbands are now on sale at www.stancofair.com. Visit the Fair’s website for complete ticket sale details.

This year’s Stanislaus County Fair is themed “Nuts are DINO-mite,” a salute to the valley’s robust nut industry. The Almond Board of California, a major sponsor of the Fair’s themed tribute, will be offering free samples of almonds each day of the Fair.

New to the 2008 Fair will be Jurassic Journey, an 8,000 square foot life-size dinosaur replica exhibit. The dinosaur exhibit is sponsored by Sky Trek Aviation and is making its California debut at the Stanislaus County Fair.

In 2008, the Stanislaus County Fair was awarded a first place award for the best Overall Children’s Program by the Western Fairs Association. The mission of the Stanislaus County Fair is to provide a family and community oriented experience promoting agriculture, education, entertainment and technology.