Take time to check out fair’s home arts exhibits
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- Fresh flowers are brought in daily to the Floriculture Building. Stop by to see flowers, cacti, creative arrangements and potted plants. Photo by Heather Young.
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- Colorful fruits and vegetables on display at the Mid-State Fair. Photo by Heather Young.
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- Check out the visual arts including hundreds of eye-catching photographs and paintings in the Ponderosa Pavilion. Photo by Heather Young.
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- Clothing, quilting, jams, table settings, cakes, baked goods, scrapbooking and more exhibits await fairgoers in the Frontier Pavilion. Photo by Heather Young.
Crowds welcomed the beginning of the first weekend of the California Mid-State Fair on Friday. Along the north side of the fair, it was somewhat quiet with only a few animals – rabbits and chickens – in residence; livestock and other animals will started arriving on Saturday, with more set to arrive Sunday. In the meantime, fair-goers can been seen visiting the home arts displays, and coming back for return visits to see the many displays throughout the duration of the fair.
The arts and floriculture exhibits can be a visit all on their own. Three buildings: Frontier Pavilion, which houses the home arts; Ponderosa Pavilion, which houses the arts; and the Floriculture Building, are packed full entries from county residents.
In the Frontier Pavilion on Friday, the Central Coast Weavers and Spinners were giving live demonstrations throughout the day; they had a show and touch display of wool from just-sheared to ready-to-spin. Set up in the middle of the building, entries were spread out around them — jams, quilting, clothing, table settings, cakes, baked goods, scrapbooking and more. It’s interesting walking through and seeing what fellow residents created. Some are spectacular and others are inspiring, reminding visitors of their own creative potential.
In the Ponderosa Pavilion, half of the building is dedicated to the State Park’s 150th birthday with displays from most of the county’s state parks. There are hands-on activities for children (and adults) to learn more about all that the local parks have to offer. On the other side of the building, check out the visual arts with hundreds of eye-catching photographs and paintings. The wall of children’s art is definitely worth a look.
The Floriculture Building is full of – what else? – flowers! New flowers arrive every few days, adding to the array of color already on display. There are entries from single flowers to cacti to arrangements and potted plants. And don’t forget the expanse of colorful flowers just outside the Floriculture Building near the carnival area.
These and more arts exhibits are must-sees during a visit to the fair — and they’re fun for all ages.
