The 2024 Pierce County Fair includes not only the return of the recipe challenge, but the new addition of a quilting challenge! These challenges allow friendly competition between open class contestants while also pushing entrants to try new things and techniques, getting out of their comfort zone.

Quilting challenge

This year, we are partnering with the Pierce County Meals on Wheels program to hold a “Quilted Placemat Challenge.” This is a great opportunity to use your sewing skills and creativity to create a unique placemat that you will be able to enter in the challenge. Following the Fair, all entries will be donated to Meals on Wheels to go to local seniors and bring some smiles and joy to them!

The 2024 theme is winter and Christmas, so break out your seasonal prints and get to work on the best placemat in the county! If it takes you a couple tries to get your entry just right, additional placemat donations will also be accepted during entry check in and the fair week. This year’s goal is 130 quilted placemats to donate to Pierce County Meals on Wheels.

Recipe challenge

The recipe challenge is back again this year with the new recipe, “Can’t Be Beet Cake.” For this challenge, all entries will be made using the same recipe provided by the Pierce County Fair Office by July 15. This year’s recipe features the use of beets hidden in a delicious chocolate cake to make a treat for your family, while also getting them to eat more vegetables!

More information on either of these challenges can be found on the Fair website (https://www.co.pierce.wi.us/departments/fair/index.php) or in the Premium book available from the Pierce County Fair Office. Information for the Quilted Placemat Challenge can be found on page 114 of the Premium book while information for the recipe challenge is located on page 109.

Submitted by Sara Karras