The deadline for entering exhibits at the Southeast Alaska State Fair is only about three weeks away.

Most exhibits can be dropped off at Harriett Hall on Friday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or on Saturday, July 24 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Exhibits may include crochet, knitting, needlework, fiber arts, quilting and sewing; fine art; fine crafts; writing and music; photography; woodworking; Native style arts; pioneer arts and recycling; hobbies and crafts; and school projects.

The deadline for submitting baked goods, crops, vegetables and flowers is between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Wednesday, July 28.

Yeasted baked goods are sought for a new contest, the Southeast Alaska State Fair Festival of Breads, sponsored by Fleischmann’s Yeast. Free yeast packets are available at the fair office, and prizes will be awarded in junior, senior, and professional divisions.

About 630 exhibits were displayed last year in Harriett Hall, up 30 percent from 2008, said exhibits manager Deana Stout said. “We look forward to an even greater number this year,” Stout said. “It was incredible to see how many creative people there are in Southeast Alaska.”

Town representatives in Skagway, Juneau, Gustavus, Pelican, Craig, Hoonah, Wrangell, Petersburg, all communities on Prince of Wales Island, and Sitka this month are collecting exhibits to send to Haines by barge. Entries also come from Ketchikan. Transportation is donated by Alaska Marine Lines.

Regional participation in the fair is on the rise, Stout said, bolstered by active town representatives. “Last year, 140 entries were from out of town.”

Free fair exhibit booklets can be picked up on newsstands, at the Visitor’s Center, around town or at the fair office. For information, contact the fair at 766-2476.

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