Butler County Exhibits and More Sept. 22-24 at Black River Coliseum

Butler County Exhibits and More, a spin-off of the Butler County Fair, will be Sept. 22-24 at the Black River Coliseum, in conjunction with the Iron Horse Festival.

The event is designed to display items people have made, said Phyllis Flanigan, who is retired from the University of Missouri Extension. It gives people the opportunity to earn ribbons and prize money, she said. People from any county may enter their handmade items at the coliseum.

“We really hope to reach all youth and especially those in 4-H, FFA, FCCLA and school art classes,” Flanigan said.

Entries will be accepted from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, and from 7-10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 23.

Judging will follow. The coliseum will be open to the public from 4-8 p.m. It will also be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. Entry pick-up at the coliseum will be from 1-3 p.m.

Flanigan and Chris Waite have worked with the event since the fair was restarted a few decades ago.

When the fair was rejuvenated, Flanigan said, “we were in tents and the temperatures were hot. It’s so nice to have it in the air conditioning of the coliseum.”

Exhibits and More “gives a person the opportunity to showcase something they made and are especially proud of. An adult can earn a ribbon and prize money if merited. In the youth division, the children will all receive ribbons and prize money. They are judged on their age and abilities.”

Waite said the event offers the community a chance to showcase their talents and to offer up a little friendly competition.

One of Waite’s best memories was the year a mom had several younger children who entered their arts and crafts, baked goods and canning.

“They were so excited to see their ribbons but were equally excited to see the money they won,” Waite said. “They told the payout clerks they were going to buy their new school shoes with the money.”

Waite recalls the early years were at Ray Clinton Park in a tent.

“It was so hot one of the FCE members brought cold towels in a cooler to help the volunteers deal with the heat,” Waite said. “One year it rained so hard the tent almost collapsed on the exhibits.

“Moving to the Black River Coliseum was a game changer. The items were protected from the elements and the volunteers did not have to fight the heat and mosquitoes. Our volunteers — Butler County Missouri Association for Family and Community Education (MAFCE), and Poplar Bluff Master Gardeners are extremely dedicated and hard working.”

Waite said, “it is amazing to see all the talent we have in our community, the photographers, painters, canners, quilters, crafters and gardeners. I have seen some unusual plants brought in and have learned a lot over the years. The quilts are fabulous. A little friendly competition — who has the best zucchini bread or biscuits; who can make the best vegetable display; who has the best looking crops?”

“It is great seeing people bring in their goods and visit with them,” Waite said. “I learn so much from others. One lady who entered the baked goods turned her love of baking into a business.”

Greenway Equipment, the Missouri Association for Family and Community Education (FCE), Missouri Master Gardeners, and the University of Missouri Extension are sponsoring the three-day event.

Any person may enter exhibits. There are more 400 classes available. Youth and adult entries are judged separately. One blue, red, and white ribbon plus prize money will be awarded in a class in the adult division. Youth are judged on their own merit and will receive a blue, red, or white ribbon and prize money.

One grand prize will be awarded to the following divisions if merited: baked goods, canned goods, crafts, quilts, fine arts, photography, fruits and vegetables, floriculture and crops. One grand prize will also be awarded to the people’s choice for the best quilt. The grand prizes given are sponsored by PBMO.com.

A silent auction will be held and items are still needed. The funds will be used to pay for prize money and ribbons for youth and youth groups of 4-H, FFA and FCCLA.

For more information, visit pbmo.com and enter the keyword “Exhibits.” You may also call 573-708-7088.