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Cream of the Crop is the theme for the 64th annual Southwestern New Mexico State Fair and plenty of home-grown produce is expected to fill the display show cases at the fairgrounds in Deming, Oct. 10-14.
It's a fair tradition handed down from generation to generation - a slice of Americana, if you will. Luna County families are busy prepping their home economic entries for the 64th annual Southwestern New Mexico State Fair, Oct. 10-14 in Deming.

This year's theme for the fair is "Cream of the Crop," celebrating life off the land in rural America.

For all divisions in the Home Ec. Competition, entries must be received from 1-6 p.m. by Wednesday, Oct. 10. All entries need to be filled out by the person who makes the item. Premium awards are first place, $5; second, $2; and third, $1; unless it is otherwise indicated.

The five divisions of competition for adults and youth are: Clothing, needle art, foods, canning and food preservation, hobbies and handicrafts.

The clothing division is judged for workmanship, overall appearance, harmony of color, trim and materials and suitability of entry purpose.

Both women and men's divisions must be worn by someone over the age of 14. In the children's garments, the person needs to be up to 14.

Needle art categories are knitting by hand, knitting by machine and crochet. Quilting categories are wall quilts, bed quilts and other quilts. Other categories are rugs, tatting, embroidery and a miscellaneous class.

In the food division, all entries should be made from scratch. The only exception is the cake mix category. Categories include: Eggs, breads, cookies, yeast breads, cakes, pies and candies.

Some of the canning divisions

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consist of vegetables, jellies, dried fruits, dried herbs relishes and sauces and pickles.

In the hobbies and handicrafts division some of the categories are baskets, bead work, calligraphy, pottery and ceramics, scrap booking, gourds, leather work and textile painting.

Sweepstakes winners will be determined on a point system. This will be established according to awards for each area. For first place there are 3 points, second, 2 points and third, 1 point.

In order to be an exhibitor one must enter at least three entries to be eligible. Each entry is $1.

For more information call Barbara Brokaw at (575) 546-8806 or e-mail in@swnmsf.com.