Dixon May Fair Home Winemaker Competition, New Floriculture Categories Seek Entrants

The Home Wine Makers competition has been a popular activity at the May Fair for over a decade. On average, between 20 and 30 unique wines are entered in the contest every year.  The event is coordinated by Kathy Hicks and her daughter, Amanda Hicks, who are both home winemakers.

"We have a passion for wine and want to share that," Kathy Hicks said. "It's also nice to share our vintages with others and see what's out there and get some tips from other home winemakers. There are always little lessons to be learned a long the way."

Home wine makers have the opportunity to enter their handcrafted vintages in the 2012 Dixon May Fair. Entries for the Home Wine Makers competition will be accepted until April 6. Entries can be completed online at www.dixonmayfair.com or at the May Fair office.

Entries are limited to amateur winemakers only, who produce less than 200 gallons of wine a year. Participants are asked to bring two bottles to the May Fair, one that will be opened and judged by fellow winemakers and enthusiasts, and the other will be displayed during the fair and returned after the event.

For more information, contact the Dixon May Fair at 678-5529.

New categories in floriculture building

The Dixon May Fair's floriculture building is filled with homemade gardens, plants, cut flowers, other colorful arrangements and wine.

This year, the floriculture building will have two new categories for people to enter. One is a wheelbarrow garden, open to youth, youth organizations, seniors and senior organizations.

Young adults and adults typically enter the garden category, and the wheelbarrow garden is to encourage youth to participate in this smaller endeavor and also keep seniors involved. Participants are required to grow plants in a full size wheelbarrow. There are different themes people can choose from, including a salsa garden, a butterfly garden or a kitchen garden. Entries are due by April 6.

The other new category is outdoor garden creations. The May Fair is looking for accents that can be placed in a garden area. These can include birdhouses, bird feeders, hanging decorations or metal creations. This category is for all age groups. Entries are also due by April 6. For more information, contact the Dixon May Fair at 678-5529.