Houlton Fair expands cooking contests

9 years ago

HOULTON, Maine — Tired of winter? Just think there are only three more months until it is time once again for the Houlton Agricultural Fair.

Yes, that is right, cold temperatures will be gone and the Houlton Agricultural State Fair will be here. In just three short months we will be celebrating the Fourth of July and riding the rides at the fair.

This year, there will be a few changes to the premium booklet and fair officials have also added some new cooking contests.

“For the kids on Kid’s Day (July 1), we are having a cupcake cooking/decorating contest,” said Jody Wellington, fair official. “For 12 and under a cake mix can be used to make your cupcakes then decorate them as you would like. Be creative!”

For the 13 to 17-year-olds, fair officials have changed it up a bit.

“You can make your own cupcake recipe and decorate them as you wish,” Wellington said. “Judging will be on taste, creativity and originality.”

Also, the cookie contest this year is a “Red, White and Blue Tie-dyed cookie contest.” The recipe will be in the premium booklet and on the exhibit hall’s Facebook page.

And then there is the Houlton Farms Dairy cooking contest also on the July 2. The recipe will be in the premium booklet and Facebook page also.

“For all four days of the fair, we are having a crockpot cooking challenge contests,” Wellington said. “We will be starting off with crockpot appetizer on Friday, July 1; the crockpot main course July 2; crockpot dessert on July 3; and then your best Crockpot dish on July 4.”

There will be winners each day but on the last day of the challenge a Grand Prize winner will be crowned. Wellington said the State of Maine Blueberry Pie contest will be July 3. And the State of Maine Apple Pie Contest follows on July 4. All pies must be in a disposable pie plate. Winners of the apple and blueberry contests will go on to the state competition.

“We will also be doing New England baked beans, salsa, guacamole and even a watermelon cooking contest,” she said. “Also back by popular demand is the Spam contest on July 3. And don’t forget to enter your crafts, photos and flowers so the exhibit hall will be full of all your hard work and beautiful items.”

Check out the Houlton Fair Exhibit Facebook page for more details.