This Family and Consumer Sciences division is somewhat of a home economics extravaganza, running the gamut from homemade candies to homespun dresses. Located in the Assembly Hall, this division is divided into two categories - junior for ages 8-13 and senior for ages 14-19 - though one can hardly differentiate between the two, as both categories seem chocked full of young talent and dedication.
“Some of them put in a tremendous amount of time and effort,” Betty Nejtek, the event superintendent from Temple, said. “They’ll work on it all year. And as soon as this is over, they’ll start thinking of ideas for next year’s fair.”
Nejtek became involved in the division when her own daughter was only 9 years old. Now that she’s graduated and gone, Nejtek has stayed on as a volunteer simply for the love of the event and the community. But the fact that Nejtek’s involvement comes from a family connection is not surprising.
“I’m really proud of the job they’ve all done,” Linda Fuchs, Bell County extension agent, said. “Of course, that’s not to say that the grandparents and parents don’t guide them and help them. But we say this event is a family affair. And it’s kinda neat because families pitch in to help other families.”
One particular family, the Fasolinos, were involved in a big way this year. Of their five children, three entered seven items each in the contest and their daughter, Danielle, entered 14 items. Their friend, Judy White, was a tremendous help.
“We’ve all been preparing since November,” mother Debbie Fasolino said. “The anticipation is incredible. They’ve been really excited.”
And rightly so. Seventeen-year-old David Fasolino came home with a Grand Champion ribbon in his photography category, and 9-year-old Nathaniel won second place for his candy.
The Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H and FFAleaders also play an essential role in these kids’ entries. Misty Houston, an FCCLA coordinator from Holland, who, according to Fuchs, is the official “cookie superintendent,” said her kids start thinking way in advance. “I’m glad to see them get excited early. One of my students, Elizabeth (Pyburn) started planning her photography entry a long time ago. So, one day a while back, I said, ‘let’s go out to the ranch.’ And she ended up with some great pictures.”
The photography exhibit is apparently the fan-favorite, according to the hordes of field-trippers and preschoolers who crowded the display area. Fuchs said they had either 1,016 or 1,017 entries this year. The photography subjects range from old riverbeds to siblings to what one elementary schooler described as “those giant fleas on the dog.” Most particularly, the human subject section brought excitement to students who recognized their friends’ names and faces on the display wall.
“There’s Sienna!” one little blonde shouted Wednesday, jumping to reach the photo of her equally blonde young friend and channeling a sense of excitement usually reserved for the rodeos next door.
But, if visual stimulation alone seems too limiting, the Family and Consumer Sciences prize-winning baked goods are a pleasure trip for all five senses.
These treats include cookies, candies and cakes of every sort, shape and delectability. What’s more, they’re available to buy.
Today, at the Country Store in the Assembly Hall, the food division items are on sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The creators of these treats - the kids, themselves - will actually get the proceeds from the sale. The prices range from $4 to $15, which is not bad compared to the quality of the goodies, Fuchs said.
Young bakers aren’t the only ones at the fair with homemade items.
The recycled wood, metal or leather category is littered, pun intended, new things fashioned out of the old.
Fourteen-year-old Salado student Megan Harvell’s winning entry turned old scrap metal, yellow pine, barbed wire and spray paint into a giant Texas flag decorative piece that one might find on sale for upward of $80 at any home decor store.
And, Bartlett student Joshua Marek won first place in the Recycled Crafts category with a blue and green mosaic glass vase that would seem right at home at any Pier 1 or Crate & Barrel. Almost all the re-crafted objects look like they belong more in a boutique than in a junkyard.
Top clothing item winner, 16-year-old Trent Williams, sewed a detailed white child’s dress that looks like something fit for Easter Sunday. And 10-year-old Grant Read from Tigertown won the junior division of Leather Crafts, Stamped & Tooled with an ornate floral-print wallet that any cowboy would be proud to own.
