From a Moore County kitchen to the State Fair

Canners, young cooks, speakers, sewers, and poultry exhibitors have opportunities to compete in Lebanon

10:32 a.m. July 24, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

There is a certain kind of summer work that never makes much fuss.

Berries simmer low on the stove. Clean jars wait on a towel. Somewhere in the kitchen, a wooden spoon has been stained purple by blackberries.

Then comes the sound every canner listens for – one small pop as a lid pulls tight.

That pop could carry a Moore County entry all the way to the Tennessee State Fair.

The Moore County Extension Office is accepting canned jams, jellies, preserves and fruit butters for the 2026 fair. The exhibit is open to Moore County residents age 20 and older, with entries accepted in pint or half-pint jars. The deadline is Friday, July 31.

Entrants may compete in 22 classes covering recipes that have long filled Southern pantries and family cookbooks. Jam categories include blackberry, blueberry and strawberry. Preserves may be entered in cherry, peach, pear, plum and strawberry classes.

There are separate classes for apple, peach and plum butter, along with jellies made from apple, blackberry, blueberry, grape, mint, peach, pepper, plum and raspberry. The exhibit also includes marmalade and conserves of any kind.

Entries may be dropped off through July 31 at the Moore County Extension Office, 241 Main St. After judging and their trip to Lebanon, the jars will be returned to the office for pickup.

A State Fair still rooted in agriculture

The Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair will run Aug. 13-22 at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center in Lebanon.

The Tennessee State Fair began a new chapter there in 2021, when it joined the long-running Wilson County Fair. The fiscal year 2021-22 state budget provided $5.3 million to launch the combined event, including $5 million for fairground improvements and $300,000 in annual operating support.

Fair organizers reported 795,523 visitors over 10 days in 2025, marking the second-highest attendance in the event’s history. The record came one year earlier, when 861,425 people passed through the gates.

Despite its size, agriculture still supplies the backbone. According to fair organizers, the 2025 event included more than 6,400 livestock entries, more than 150 livestock shows and more than 100 agricultural opportunities. About 1,800 4-H and FFA members competed in more than 30 events.

The midway may flash brighter after sundown, but the fair’s roots remain in the barns, gardens, sewing rooms and kitchens.

That leaves plenty of room for Moore County to bring something to the table.

Young cooks get their own jar

The fair schedule lists the State 4-H Jelly Making Show for Monday, Aug. 17, with entries displayed in the 4-H and FFA Building.

The competition includes a junior division for students in grades four through eight and a senior division for those in grades nine through 12.

Young cooks may enter homemade jelly products or compete with a jelly-making video. The schedule lists $300 in premiums for homemade jelly products, $90 for the video competition and a $50 Best of Show award.

Young speakers step to the microphone

The Tennessee 4-H Public Speaking Contest will be held Friday, Aug. 14. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., with the contest starting at 10 a.m.

Divisions are junior for grades four and five, junior high for grades six through eight, and senior high for grades nine through 12.

Each county may enter no more than two speakers in each division. Contestants must register through their county Extension office by Thursday, Aug. 6.

First-place winners in each division will receive a $100 scholarship toward a future 4-H event. Second-place finishers will receive an $80 voucher.

Every participant will receive free admission and be entered into a drawing for tickets to the Tennessee 4-H Picnic at the Fair.

A good speech still begins the old-fashioned way: one student, one idea and enough nerve to stand up and say it clearly.

Poultry showmanship joins the fair

A new Youth Poultry Showmanship contest will be held Monday, Aug. 17, in the Poultry Barn.

The competition is open to 4-H and FFA members. Check-in begins at 10 a.m., with judging set for 10:30 a.m.

Divisions are fourth and fifth grades, sixth through eighth grades, and ninth through 12th grades.

Students must use a bird entered in the Tennessee State Fair Poultry Show. Any breed of chicken or duck may be used, and Youth Exhibition Poultry Association rules will govern the judging.

Premiums are $75 for first place, $50 for second, and $25 for third.

Michael Shirley is serving as chairman and may be reached at 615-516-1553.

Smart shopping takes the stage

Later that afternoon, 4-H members can step onto the Expo Center Stage for the Central Region Fun with Fashion competition.

Contestants are given a real-life scenario and a firm budget. They must compare prices, weigh their choices and assemble an outfit suited to the occasion.

Depending on their grade level, participants may be shopping for an airplane trip, 4-H camp, a wedding, an awards banquet, a day in Nashville or an appearance in a social media video.

Budgets range from $60 for some younger contestants to $150 for high school students assembling formalwear. Participants may shop at traditional retailers, secondhand stores, yard sales, resale apps or clothing-rental services. Shoes do not have to be new and are not counted against the budget.

Contestants must track what they spend and save, prepare a script explaining their selections and model the finished outfit onstage.

Fun with Fashion check-in will run from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, at the Expo Center Stage. The show will follow. The registration deadline is Monday, Aug. 10.

The lesson lasts longer than the outfit: Know what you need, know what you can spend, and check the sale rack.

Sewing skills earn the spotlight

Young people who make their own clothing may enter the Central Region 4-H Clover Collection.

The competition includes classes for beginning sewing, school wear, best wear, formalwear, accessories, costumes and upcycled garments.

Entries range from everyday and formal clothing to accessories, costumes and garments given a second life.

Participants must describe the fabric, color, style, trim and sewing techniques used. They are also asked to explain the hardest part of the project and what they learned.

In the fourth- and fifth-grade beginning-sewing class, participants must make the elastic-waist garment, although the accompanying top may be purchased. In the remaining classes, contestants must sew the entire entry.

Judging takes place before participants model their work in the fashion show.

Clover Collection check-in will run from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, at the Expo Center Stage. First place pays $12, second place $9, and third place $7, with additional prizes provided by sponsors and Extension donors.

There is something fitting about a handmade garment crossing a State Fair stage. Every seam carries evidence of the work – careful measuring, a crooked stitch pulled loose and tried again, and flat cloth slowly becoming something worth wearing.

State fashion show set for Aug. 22

The fair schedule lists the State 4-H Fashion Show for Saturday, Aug. 22, in the 4-H and FFA Building. Judging begins at 10 a.m., followed by the show at 11:30 a.m. Premiums are $100 for first place, $75 for second and $50 for third.

Nearly 800,000 people walked through the gates last year. Still, judges make time to study one jar, hear one speech, inspect one seam and watch one young exhibitor handle a chicken.

At the State Fair, the ribbon comes last. First comes the work at home.

Moore County residents interested in any of the competitions should contact the Moore County Extension Office at 241 Main St. or call 931-759-7163 for registration forms, deadlines and complete entry requirements.