By Debbie Soesbe and Ann Corbin, Co-Chairs

Ann and I wish to thank all those who entered their works of art and photography. Our exhibit has steadily grown every year at the new Fairground location. This year we had 284 photo entries and 97 art entries. The number of professional entries has also grown so we added a "Professional" division and awarded a separate Best In Show ribbon.

A special thank you to Jeff Perry of the Fair's maintenance staff who tirelessly assembles and disassembles our exhibit year after year. Jeff built the pegboard dividers we use to display the art and photos as well as many other things you see at the Fair. Last year Ann and I decided the pegboards would look better and the art and photos would stand out more if the pegboards were painted, so Jeff painted them. He handles our requests and never forgets or complains.

Thanks also to our judges who selflessly volunteer their time to evaluate each entry - ART: Anita Prentice of Artistry in Mosaics, Zanobia Jefferson, and Susie Forget-Cassens; PHOTOGRAPHY: Paul Milette of the Palm Beach Post, Harry Quatraro of F/64 Photography, and Tom Baumker of Tom Baumker Photography.

With so many entries, the judges have quite a difficult and time-consuming job; they must determine whether the piece should be awarded a first place blue ribbon, second place red ribbon, or a third place white ribbon. Rosettes are awarded when all three judges agree on a blue ribbon for that entry, and in-turn Best In Show is chosen from the Rosettes.

The winners for Best In Show are:

ART

Adult Amateur - Just Hibiscus by Jeany Lee

Adult Professional - Koi Pond by Sue Cremin

Youth Individual - Portrait Collage of Nana by Lauren Fowler

Youth Group - Puzzles by Dan Galloway's class at Dale Cassens School

PHOTOGRAPHY

Adult Amateur - The Fine Things by Samantha Davis

Adult Professional - Roaring Fork by Tammy Malin