The blue ribbons have arrived, the stage is set and all that is left is the wait for the arrival of the 2008 Pike County Fair.

The Pike County Fair opens at 6 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Pike County Fairgrounds.

But opening day is not the beginning of the Pike County Fair. Many Pike Countians have been planning for and looking forward to this day for many months.

“When we think of the county fair, we have to think of exhibits and blue ribbons,” said Tammy Powell, Pike County Extension coordinator.

The exhibit hall is the first and last place that visitors to the fair experience.

Visitors have to enter and leave through the exhibit hall and, at some point, most of them take time to stop and admire the handiwork of their friends and neighbors.

“People of all ages are invited to enter the exhibits and we have categories for everything from art to woodwork,” Powell said. “The exhibits are an opportunity to compete for ribbons and prize money but they are also a chance for local people to add their personal flavor to the county fair.”

The exhibit and competition categories include crafts, baked food items, canned food items, sewing of every stitch, woodwork, photography and all types of art.

“A reminder to those who bring canned goods. They must be in standard canning jars in order to be judged,” Powell said.

All photographs must be 8x10s and the artwork must be matted or mounted. The artwork is divided into age groups — K through fifth grade, sixth through eighth grade and ninth grade and up. The photography has a junior division, which is through the 12th grade, and an adult division.

“We also have agricultural exhibits and farmers and gardeners are invited to bring a sampling of their products – peanuts, potatoes, beans, persimmons – whatever they have,” Powell said.

Exhibit entries may be registered at the Pike County Fairground between the hours of 1 and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27 and 28. Entries will be judged on Monday.

Businesses and civic organizations also have exhibits in the hall and those booths may be set up between the hours of 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Sept. 26 and 27.

The Pike County Fair is sponsored annually by the Troy Shrine Club at the Pike County Fairgrounds on U.S. Highway 231 South of Troy.