Home Arts

Valerie Ulmer

I got involved in working in the home arts dept. through a co-worker, Maxine Ingold, in 1976. She asked me to come and help make posters for the exhibits, so I did. I made posters of what was in the freezer, and who had won. I also hostessed that year. The next year, I helped take entries. I was a typist for the preserved foods. We had to type all the labels for the jars. I did that until the chairman moved and I took the chairman’s job. I was chairman for preserved foods for a few years. Then, when May Lee Barry and Diane Korin became superintendents, I became the lunch lady for the home arts. I still do that as superintendent today. I did the lunches and also when Pyillis Kidd took over the contests, I was her helper. I ran the contests she couldn’t and helped her do the others. Phyllis and I became co-superintendents in 1995. We worked well as a team; I still miss her today. She passed away during the fair in 2002.

Every fair has special moments. Opening day is always my favorite day! The people who have entered are all excited to find their entries and see if they have won.

I have no main hobbies. I live to cook and try new recipes. I love working in the exhibits dept. We carry on an old tradition from our grandparents and theirs: a county fair for all to come and participate in if they choose to.

The most frequently asked questions are: Where are the restrooms? I can’t find my entry, do you know where it is? What’s the best food to eat? Is there a payphone? Are you tired yet?

I have seven chairmen, who run individual depts., a gopher staff that helps everyone, and a lot of hard-working volunteers that make the home arts dept. run smoothly. If you would like to help out by being a volunteer, please call the fairgrounds and ask for home arts or any department that you have interests in. See you at the fair…Valerie Ulmer.