While you are out and about enjoying the final weekend of the 25th annual Salem Fair, be sure to head over to the Salem Civic Center Community Room. Artists from all over the area have come to town to take part in the Blue Ribbon Exhibits, one of the most interesting attractions at the Salem Fair. Each exhibitor has entered not only a unique item, but each person also has a unique story to tell.

Some of our BLUE RIBBON Stories from the 2012 SALEM FAIR:

Twin sisters decided to celebrate their July 5 birthdays and compete in a special contest, the King Arthur’s Flour Muffin competition. Denise Murphy, (oldest) took first place in the contest with strawberry muffins and strawberry butter. Dana Shelton, (youngest) took second with her Nana’s special pumpkin muffins. Neither sister knew that the other was going to enter until they saw each others muffins on contest day!

A Glenvar High School student, Rosie Keating, has won Champion of Teen Pies with her completely homemade Peanut Butter Pie entry. Rosie credits her dad, a United States Navy Chef, for her cooking skills and hopes to follow in his footsteps.

Lilly Shell, 15 years old, has won Best in Show for the Photography exhibits. She took home first place in 14 classes (including the King Arthur Flour Youth Division) for a total of 27 ribbons for her items.

Abi Carter’s large family has made her a Blue Ribbon cook. She took Best in Show in Breads with her biscuit entry.

Frank, a participant from the VA hospital, has located over 100 four leaf clovers on the lawn of the VA Hospital. His clover collage was a huge hit at the Blue Ribbon exhibit and won him a first-place ribbon.

The Community Room Exhibits at the Salem Civic Center are open to the public on July 12-13 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on July 14 from noon to 10 p.m.

– Submitted by Mike Stevens