LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Many of the Allen County Fair’s activities are centered around the youth of 4-H, but what happens when members age out of the clubs? They move on to the “Open Class Exhibitors,” also known as the Senior Fair.
Many of the open class projects are displayed in the Fine Arts Building on the north end of the fairgrounds. Exhibits include quilts, antiques, art, and more. This is also where fair goers can see the cornerstone of the open class — the largest vegetables, canned goods, and contests featuring appetizers, homemade wines, and more. For adults, it’s a chance to still compete for the coveted Best of Show rosette.
“If you've been raised on a farm like I have, and it’s in your blood, you want to keep it going,” said Terry Acheson, superintendent of canned goods, baked goods and tablescapes. “I’ve been doing this for 46 years in this building, and people come and go. We have found that the canned goods and the vegetables people raise, now because of the economy, mean even more.”
Other highlights in the Fine Arts Building include the tablescape competition, where participants are given a theme to work with. They design a table setting and create a menu that best represents that theme.
