Open shows move from Round Barn

Visitors to the 2009 Plymouth County Fair will find the Round Barn Open Class displays in a new location -- the former 4-H Building.

With the 4-H displays moving to the Hall of '84, open class Art Show, Creative Hobbies Show, Antiques and Collectibles, and Horticulture, Food and Preservation Show will move to the former 4-H Building.

The north end of the building will display the horticulture, food and preservation entries, according to Margaret Wolf, who along with her husband, Dennis and Kurtis Kroeger, serve as co-superintendents of that show.

"It will be easier for visitors to see the displays," Wolf said. "The Round Barn was a wonderful backdrop for us, but it wasn't convenient for some of our displays."

With the help of Floyd Valley Federated Garden Club members, volunteers painted the entire area and are utilizing shelving that was in place for the 4-H exhibits.

The biggest change for this particular show is that the area will be air-conditioned.

Wolf indicated the air conditioning will really help keep the flower and food displays fresh.

"Sometimes it got really warm in the barn, and that wasn't so great," Wolf said. "Even if it's only 70 to 80 degrees, that can make a big difference in a flower's life."

Tables and shelves, along with the stage on the south end of the room, allow new ways to display the entries.

The middle section of the building will be the new home for the Creative Hobbies, Art Show and Antiques and Collectibles.

Geri Dreckman and Shari Fey are in their first year as co-superintendents of the Creative Hobbies Show.

The two women have known each other for years, and at last year's fair, sat together at the bingo tent and mulled over taking on the creative hobbies show.

"We talked it over for a quite a few days," Fey said.

With the move to a different building, Fey said the two are a perfect match.

"She's construction and I'm the sewer (of quilts)," said Fey.

Dreckman said both women were kept very busy with the move.

"I had to put on my home contractor uniform," she said.

Dreckman was hesitant about moving out of the Round Barn.

"I've always been partial to the Round Barn," Dreckman said.

She also sees the benefits of the move.

"It will be easier access for everyone, and hopefully less dusty," she said. "And if it rains, we don't have to go around with buckets. We didn't want items damaged by water."

Shelving from the 4-H display units, poles and paint have transformed the room.

"The fair board members and 4-H kids helped haul things in and out," Dreckman said. "It was left up to us to paint, arrange and use our creative minds to what we wanted to do."

A number of office cubicle partitions will be used to display the quilts entered in the show.

"This way our quilts will not be folded over, and we can display them better," Fey said.

The north wall will display the winning quilts and the quilt donated to the fair auction.

"People will be able to see the entire quilt that way," said Fey.

Dreckman and Fey will also be rearranging the day items come in.

"You're always surprised at what comes in," said Fey. "We've got room on the floor for larger items and plenty of display space."

David Wilberding is the new superintendent for the Art Show, which will be located on the west side of the room.

Antiques and Collectibles, under the supervision of Byron and Linda Bulthuis, will be on the east side.

Exhibitors will be able to bring their open class exhibits to the new display building between 6 and 8 p.m. Tuesday or 7 to 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Those bringing in entries should use the second entrance north of Archies (where the J Club refreshment building is located) and tell the Gehlen J Club members at the gate that they have exhibits and need assistance.

Exhibitors will be directed to park along the fence where the Primebank's people mover (trolley) and golf carts will pick them up with their exhibits and transport them to the entry area of the flower show and open classes.

The building will be closed to visitors at 9 a.m. Wednesday for judging.

Wolf, Dreckman and Fey all agree the first year will be a time to see what works for each show and gather ideas for the 2010 fair.

"We're anxious to hear comments on the new building," said Fey.