Along with the excitement and anticipation that fills Southwest Michigan every August with Fair Week, the return of the fair this year brings a new development: the Still Exhibit Auction. For the first time ever, the BCYF Board of Directors has approved of and opened up the availability for Still Exhibits to be auctioned off at the Berrien County Youth Fair 2022.
“Every year we have both exhibitors and spectators ask how they can sell or buy some of the still exhibits,” says Fair Manager, Karen Klug. “We’re happy to offer this opportunity to exhibitors in the still exhibit area who may not have any livestock to auction off”.
A Still Exhibit is one that includes home economics, crafting, horticulture, and flowers, to name a few. You’ve seen them every year – the Exhibit Barns on the fairgrounds are bustling with bystanders eager to gawk and gaze at giant pumpkins, beautifully arranged bouquets, and more.
Since the beginning of county fairs, and Berrien County’s in 1945, still exhibits have offered a way for Berrien County Youth to showcase their talents in the fair circuit, competing for prizes in multiple categories. Berrien County Youth Fair Marketing and Sponsorship Coordinator Jill Hein provided some insight: “We have a LOT of still exhibits to offer, 385 different classes of still exhibits, to be exact. 124 of those are in the Craft department.”
The auction, which will take place on Saturday, August 20th, is only open to Craft exhibits this year. “If all goes well, we may open it to other classes in 2023,” says the BCYF. Exhibitors wishing to sell in the auction are required to register for the still exhibit auction class when they register the rest of their still exhibits by the August 1 deadline. Exhibitors are limited to ONE still exhibit auction item. Further details regarding the auction can be found in the exhibitor handbook online at bcyf.org, or in print from the Fair Office.
The Berrien County Youth Fair takes place this year from August 15th – 20th, with the theme “Red, White, & Blue, in 2022”. Find yourself under the Rabbit Tent on Still Exhibit Auction Day (8/20) at 10 a.m, and be lucky enough to win one of the many lovely crafts submitted into the fair.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM Contributor
