Tuesday, January 22, 2008 — Bill and Olee Bowers, Kevin and Pat Bowers and Edward Allen from Stanly American Legion Post No. 76 Agricultural Fair brought home four awards during the recent convention of North Carolina and South Carolina associations of agricultural fairs.

The awards were presented at the convention Jan. 9-12 at Kingston Plantation in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

As a Category 1 fair, with attendance of up to 15,000, the Stanly County Fair was presented the Agricultural Award, which is given to the fair that best showcases the agriculture and agricultural heritage of the area served.

The Stanly County Fair was also presented the Youth Award, which is given to the fair that best showcases Youth and Youth Activities in the area served. Also, presented to the Stanly County Fair was the Media Award, which is given to the fair with the best overall Advertising and Public Relations campaigns.

To highlight the activities, the Stanly County Fair was presented the presigious Image Award, which is given to the fair that truly represents what a North Carolina Agricultural Fair should be.

Award winning fairs will have a balance of outstanding Agricultural and Youth Exhibits and displays, livestock shows and exhibits, contests, entertainment, commercial displays, concession varieties, good carnival and involvement of many individuals, groups, organizations and clubs across the area served.

During the convention, the delegation from the Stanly County Fair attended numerous workshops and table topic discussions involving fair improvements, agricultural programs and overall fairgoer experience.

Ideas and information gained from the workshops will be used to support the commitment of the Stanly County Fair to continually improve agricultural, art, scholarship and youth programs.

Jan. 9, the association had its annual scholarship fund auction. All proceeds from the auction go into the general scholarship fund.

The North Carolina Association of Agricultural Fairs provides annual scholarships to prospective college students who are actively involved in agriculture and have volunteered services for a fair.

The Stanly County American Legion Post No. 76 Agricultural Fair thanks all the groups, organizations, participants and patrons for their continued support.

Fair dates for this year will be Sept. 16-20. Midway will be provided by Smokey Mountain Amusements.

NCAOAF

Competitive Awards

• Image Award

The Image Award is given annually to fairs (one in each Category — I, II and III) that truly represents what a NC Agricultural Fair should be. Award winning fairs will have a balance of outstanding agricultural and youth exhibits and displays, livestock exhibits and/or livestock shows, contests, entertainment, commercial displays, a variety of foods and a good carnival (some small fairs may not have carnivals).

Also, the fair will involve many individual, groups, organizations, and clubs and generally be a cross-section of the area served. The facilities and grounds should be clean, neat and customer friendly. Customers attending the fair are provided with a safe environment and friendly, inviting atmosphere. The fair will be very progressive and making improvements based on available resources.

The fairs winning the Image Award should be and are striving to epitomize the characteristics of what a good agricultural fair is all about.

• Agricultural Award

The Agricultural Award is given annually to fairs (one in each Category I, II, III and Governmental) that best showcase agriculture and the agricultural heritage of the area served.

The fairs have outstanding quality and quantity of agricultural-related competitive exhibits and displays. Also, the fairs have agricultural-related commercial exhibits and involve agricultural agencies, agricultural commodity groups and organizations.

Agricultural products including new and antique agricultural machinery and equipment are displayed and farm-related demonstrations are ongoing. Livestock and poultry exhibits and/or livestock shows are representative of the area served. Agricultural-related contests and entertainment are carried out at the fairs to further showcase agriculture. Landscaping and/or decorations are another way agricultural products are showcased.

New areas for agricultural competitions and/or displays, as well as, innovative ideas expressing our agricultural heritage play a prominent role at these fairs and add variety and educational value.

• Youth Award

The Youth Award is given annually to fairs (one in each Category I, II, III and Governmental) that best showcases youth and youth activities of the area served.

Factors involved in determining youth award winners are: numbers of individuals, schools, school organizations and clubs, and other youth organizations such as 4-H, Scouts, etc.; quality and quantity of competitive exhibits and displays or educational booths; variety of youth contests and overall participation; youth participation in Junior Livestock Shows and/or as livestock exhibitors; involvement in special events and activities for youth; having youth involvement with the fair such as workers, directors or a Junior Fair Board; and participation in scholarship programs either locally or with the NCAOAF or both.

Since youth are the future of Agricultural Fairs, the winning fairs recognize the importance of youth participation and involvement and strive to improve and add youth activities.

• Media Award

The Media Award is given annually to fairs (one in each Category I, II, III and Governmental that have the best overall advertising and public relations campaigns. Entries are judged on creativity, attractiveness, originality and overall effectiveness.

Entries include catalog or tabloid, newspaper advertising, radio and television advertising, billboards, specialty advertising, news releases and news articles, Web site information and any other advertising or public relations materials that are used.