Those who “can,” do. And, they will be the ones who take home the blue ribbons and cash prizes awarded in the Creative Living Section of the 2016 Pike County Fair Oct. 4-8 at the Pike County Fair Grounds.

And, there’s nothing in a can that is as “farm-fresh” as home-canned vegetables and fruits, jams and jellies, said Homer Homann, president of the Troy Shrine Club, the annual sponsor of the Pike County Fair.

“The Creative Living Section is an important part of the Pike County Fair,” Homann said. “It is a showcase of our community and it’s everyone’s first impression of the fair.  The creative living exhibits and organizational and commercial booths make the county fair, our fair. They highlight the talent and interests of local people – of friends and neighbors.”

Homann said $5,000 will be awarded in prize money and a lot of people will go home with a jingle in their pockets.

“In the Creative Living Section, first prize money is $5, second is $3 and third is $2,” he said. “That’s not big amounts but it all adds up. You can’t put a price on a blue ribbon won at the county fair, anyhow.”

The food departments in the Creative Living Section of the Pike County Fair are the biggest and best vegetables, fruits and field crops for display and for show — butters, jams, jellies and honey, canned fruits and vegetables, pickles, relishes and sauces and cakes, pies, cookies, bread and candy. Cash prizes for cakes are $10, $7 and $5 for adults and $8, $6 and $4 for junior and elementary entries. Homann said there’s a category for every cook’s “specialty” and all cooks are encouraged to enter.

Food preservation entries must be contained in clear standard canning jars – half pint, pint and quart sizes. No blue jars. All rings must be free of rust.

“All products entered in food preservation must be the work of the person entering the product,” Homann said. “All entries must have been canned since last year’s fair.”

The Creative Living Section of the Pike County Fair also includes needlework and textiles, creative stitching, household linens, pillows, quilts, bedspreads, throws and baby items. The Arts and Crafts Department includes ceramics and pottery, Christmas at the Fair, dolls and toys, seasonal and unusual crafts, painting, photography and woodworking. The Flower Show will feature annuals and perennials and potted plants. No pots over 12 inches in diameter will be accepted.

Entries in the Creative Living Section of the county fair may be delivered to the Pike County Fairgrounds between the hours of 1 and 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1 and Sunday, Oct. 2. No entries will be accepted after these hours.

Judging will be on Monday, Oct. 3. At the close of the county fair, articles may be picked up between the hours of 1 and 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9. “As a reminder,” Homann said. “All entries must be products of Pike County and the surrounding counties and have been raised, grown or made by the exhibitor since the last fair.”