South Carolina State Fair Agricultural and Mechanical Society of South Carolina

SPRING 2005 2005 FAIR DATES ~ OCTOBER 6-16 COLUMBIA

www.scstatefair.org

Greetings from the South Carolina State Fair! The South Carolina State Fair has been recognized by Southern Living Magazine as one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast!

In this issue:

• Where In The World Is Gary Goodman ?
• SC State Fair Staff Member Honored
• Seasonal Employee Named "Recycling Teacher of the Year"
• Carnival Merger
• Scholarships
• Become a SC State Fair Sponsor
• Fine Art Purchase Patron Program
• Monthly Calendar of Events Update
• Host Your Event at the Fairgrounds
• Attention: Gamecock Football Fans ~ "Tailgate Under the Rocket"
• Competitive Exhibit Superintendents Named
• Important Notice to 2005 SC State Fair Competitive Exhibitors
• Home & Craft Department Adds "Scrap Booking" Class
• Two New Special Baking Contests Announced
• 2005 SC State Fair Competitive Exhibit Registration Period
• Know What's Happening at the Fair

Where In The World Is Gary Goodman?

Since South Carolina State Fair General Manager, Gary L. Goodman, CFE, assumed the official duties of International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Chair last December, he has been racking up frequent flyer miles as he travels across the country to speak at fairs, festivals, expositions, conferences, Zone meetings, and seminars. Gary is spreading his love and knowledge about the fair industry across international boundaries. The following quotes from Gary taken from the January-February issue of the IAFE Fairs & Expos magazine, "It's not about those of us who work at fairs; it's all about our guests" and "Fairs are a great opportunity for our guests to heal hurts, experience joy, and make memories." The SC State Fair Staff wishes Gary joy in his journey.

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SC State Fair Staff Member Honored

The SC Department of Natural Resources has named Mr. Trev Bennett to the Harry Hampton Wildlife "Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic" 2005 Hall of Fame in appreciation of his many years of service and dedication. The Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic has been an annual event held at the SC State Fairgrounds since 1985. Congratulations, Trev!!!

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Seasonal Employee Named "Recycling Teacher of the Year"

Congratulations to Dot Vaughn , AC Flora art teacher and 2005 South Carolina Recycling Teacher of the Year. The award is from the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control Board. Dot is the wife of the SC State Fair Student Art Superintendent, Mike Vaughn. Mike and Dot are parents of a son, Ross, and reside in Lexington, SC.

Carnival Merger

We look forward to welcoming a new and improved carnival to the 2005 South Carolina State Fair. Conklin Shows, our midway vendor for several years, has merged with Thebault-Blomsness and Farrow Shows to become North American Midway Entertainment.

SC State Fair Academic Scholarships

Over the last decade the South Carolina State Fair has returned over $2 million to the community through endowments and grants to non-profit organizations. This year, the SC State Fair Board increased the number of $2,000 scholarships to fifty (50) from thirty (30) given in recent years. Scholarship applications were posted at www.scstatefair.org for download from February 7 through March 14 for all high school seniors and South Carolina public and private school Guidance Counselors. Scholarship applications were received from 597 students! Good luck to all the applicants!

Become a SC State Fair Sponsor

Since 1869 the South Carolina State Fair has been a part of Columbia 's landscape. Over its eleven day run, the fair offers a unique opportunity to reach a very large and diverse segment of our population. Now is the time to be part of this great tradition and we invite you to become a SC State Fair Sponsor! For information regarding specific sponsorship opportunities, please contact Nancy Smith at nancys@scstatefair.org or (803)799-3387, ext. 16.

Fine Art Purchase Patron Program

You are invited to support our South Carolina artists by making a financial commitment to purchase art from the exhibits entered in the 2005 SC State Fair Fine Art Exhibition.  The application process for the 2005 Fine Art Purchase Patron program is now open and closes on August 30, 2005.

Each spring and summer, persons interested in becoming a SC State Fair Fine Art Purchase Patron commit a specified dollar "minimum" to purchase art from the SC State Fair Fine Art exhibit held during October at the South Carolina State Fair. In late September, the Purchase Patrons are scheduled a private viewing of the SC State Fair Fine Art Exhibit where they may select the art of their choice to purchase. The Purchase Patron may purchase more than one piece of art and may pay more than their initial commitment.

If a Fine Art Exhibitor wishes to have his/her art eligible for purchase through this program, he/she must list a Purchase Patron Sale price on his/her entry form. The SC State Fair receives no commission from sale of artwork; therefore, it is recommended that artists consider a lower selling price to Purchase Patrons than in a gallery which sells to the general public, but this is left to the artist's discretion. Listing the Purchase Patron price on the entry form is the agreement that the art work is eligible to be purchased through this program.

Purchase Patron Awards are recognized with a ribbon but are not announced or awarded at the Fine Art Reception. Payment is mailed to the artists within thirty (30) days after the close of the fair.

Persons interested in becoming a SC State Fair Fine Art Purchase Patron should send an e-mail to geninfo@scstatefair.org or telephone 803-799-3387 ext. 23 to request an application for the Purchase Patron Program.

Monthly Calendar of Events

Spring is here so break out of your winter doldrums and head to the SC State Fairgrounds where you'll find many entertaining events. March brought us the Craftsmen's Classic Arts and Crafts Festival, the Carolina Classic Home and Garden Show and the Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic.

April is full of events starting with the Great American Train Show, Shakespeare Fishing Tackle Yard Sale, Eastover Ruritan Club "Oyster Roast and Shrimp Boil", SC Employment Security Commission Job Fair, Hammond School Parents Association "Hammond Auction", SC Farm Bureau Federation "Legislative Banquet", Junior League of Columbia "Smart Matters Rally", the Columbia International Festival, and the March of Dimes "WalkAmerica".

Here's a sampling of May and June events: Model Car Contest and Show, SWANA Road-E-O 2005, Spring Dog Trials, Carolina Children's Home Annual BBQ Festival, Indian Waters Council Boy Scout "Expo", SCCA Autocross, SC Expo for Teacher Recruitment, and Mike Kent and Association "Gun Show".

Click on the title link above or log on to the web site at www.scstatefair.org and click on the menu tab Throughout the Year , then select Calendar of Events from the drop down menu. Find a monthly listing of events held on the fairgrounds, complete with location and contact information.

Host Your Event at the Fairgrounds

Interested in hosting your event at the fairgrounds? Click on link above or click on the home page menu tab Throughout the Year, and then select Facility Rentals from the drop down menu. Contact information and application forms are available on this page. To inquire about booking your event, contact Mr. Tim Wilson at timw@scstatefair.org or 803-799-3387 ext. 11.

"Tailgate Under the Rocket" ~ Attention: Gamecock Football Fans

Application forms for Reserved Football Parking are available at www.scstatefair.org for all USC home games except the Kentucky , October 8 game which is held during the 2005 South Carolina State Fair. Also available are applications for RV/Camper parking reservations and RV/Camper parking reservations for Concessionaires and Commercial Exhibitors during the 2005 South Carolina State Fair.

New Competitive Exhibit Superintendents Named

The Home and Craft Department is now under the supervision of Mrs. Miriam Cobb of Columbia and her assistant, Mrs. Brenda Turner, also of Columbia. Miriam was Superintendent Assistant for several seasons and Brenda has experience in the Home and Craft Department.

The Small Stock Department welcomes Mr. Clint Attaway of Lexington as Superintendent, replacing Mrs. Janice Geiger upon her retirement. Clint is a seasoned employee in the Small Stock Department and received the 1994 SC State Fair Employee of the Year award.

The Youth Wether Goat Department will be under the leadership of Dr. Donnie King of Clemson, SC. Donnie is also involved with the SC Farm Bureau Federation Dairy Cattle Scholarship program which is held during the SC State Fair.

Important Notice to 2005 SC State Fair Competitive Exhibitors

Please be advised the SC State Fair will no longer store art work and exhibits past the Release Date for each department. Unclaimed art work and exhibits which remain past the Release Date will become the property of the SC State Fair and will be donated to charity. No exceptions!

The SC State Fair provides security in exhibit buildings until the Release Dates have passed. The SC State Fair will not be responsible for storage and security of these articles following 6:00 PM of the Release Date.

It is the exhibitors responsibility to claim the articles (or appoint a friend or relative to claim the articles) on the release dates as defined in the Online Premium Guide and below. Art work and exhibits must be claimed using the Claim Check given on the day the article was submitted for competition. If the Claim Check is lost, the exhibitor must provide adequate identification in order to claim the article.

Release Dates follow:

Fine Art ~ Monday, October 17 and Tuesday, October 18. Exhibitors must claim art work by 6:00 PM on Tuesday, October 18, 2005. Art work remaining on October 19 becomes property of the SC State Fair and will be donated to charity.

Student Art ~ Tuesday, October 18 and Wednesday, October 19. Exhibitors must claim art work by 6:00 PM on Wednesday, October 19, 2005. Art work remaining on October 20 becomes property of the SC State Fair and will be donated to charity.

Agriculture ~ Monday, October 17. Exhibitors must claim exhibits by 5:00 PM on Monday, October 17, 2005. Unclaimed exhibits become property of the SC State Fair and will be donated to charity.

Flowers ~ Monday, October 17. Exhibitors must claim exhibits by 2:00 PM on Monday, October 17, 2005. Unclaimed exhibits become property of the SC State Fair and will be donated to charity.

Home & Craft ~ Monday, October 17 and Tuesday, October 18. Exhibitors must claim exhibits by 6:00 PM on Tuesday, October 18. Unclaimed exhibits become property of the SC State Fair and will be donated to charity.

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Home & Craft Department Adds Scrap Booking Class

The Home and Craft Department has added a class for Scrap Booking in 2005. You'll find the Scrap Booking Class in the Hobby Craft Division - Amateur Handicrafts Section. Scrap Booking has become very popular and we have had many requests to add this class, so help us get the word out by telling your friends about this new opportunity to showcase their craft.

Two New Special Baking Contests Announced

The Home and Craft Department announces two (2) new Special Baking Contests. The Pork Recipe Rally - "We Want WOW Now", sponsored by the National Pork Board. Judging will take place on Monday, October 10 and will be open for public viewing.

The second new contest is the KC Masterpiece® Memorable Meal Contest. Judging will take place (pre-Fair) on Wednesday, October 5 and judging will be closed to the public.

Other Special Baking Contests offered this year are the Low Fat Cookie Contest, the National Best Spam® Recipe Contest, the Fleischmann's® Yeast Dynamic Duo Baking Contest, and the Hidden Valley® The Original Ranch® "Friendly Food" Contest. Refer to the Online Premium Guide at www.scstatefair.org for additional details.

2005 SC State Fair Competitive Exhibit Registration Period Set

The 2005 SC State Fair web site will be launched on Monday, July 18 and registration opens for all Competitive Exhibits. Registration periods vary with each department and allow exhibitors almost two (2) months of registration time for most departments. Exhibitors are encouraged to register early in the registration period and avoid the last minute rush!!!

2005 Registration dates are as follows:

Know What's Happening at the Fair

Receive notice of quarterly issues of the South Carolina State Fair E-News published at www.scstatefair.org by logging onto the web site and complete your e-mail address in the designated box on the home page. You will receive an e-mail for you to verify your free subscription and your e-mail address will be automatically added to our database to receive news throughout the year from the South Carolina State Fair. We hope to see you soon at the Fairgrounds!