Always producing some big hits at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair, the Home & Family Arts Building will feature some new head-turning contests.

Mary Ann Lienhart-Cross, extension educator with the Purdue Extension Elkhart County, shares what’s new, what’s hot and what’s up with that brand new “This Isn’t Your Grandmother’s Apron” contest.

Q: What’s new this year?

A: The apron contest — the two themes are “Fashionable and Functional” and “This Isn’t Your Grandmother’s Apron.”

For cooking, there are two new contests, one being “Anything Goes with Peppers,” and people can bring in dishes using any kind of peppers — sweet peppers, bell peppers, sweet banana peppers.

There’s also “The Year of the Dairy Cow,” and people can bring in food with two dairy foods. A number of other contests are going along with that theme, including one featuring dairy cow collector’s items. We expect a big turnout with Elkhart County being ranked second in the state in terms of dairy cows. Be on the lookout for some painted cow-themed picnic tables and other dairy-cow-related contests in or around the building, too.

Q: Back to the “not your grandma’s apron” thing, what is that?

A: Participants will make an apron with the theme of “This Isn’t Your Grandmother’s Apron.” I’m expecting them to be very creative. Aprons are becoming more popular, even among young cooks. Some people are having their Friday night aprons, Saturday night aprons.

Q: What are the staples of the Home & Family Arts Building. What contests are always popular to enter?

A: The President’s Baked Item is always a hit. There’s a new president every year, and they choose what the baked good will be. This year, it’s pecan pie.

The outdoor cooking contests are always really popular, too, as are the pie contests and the yeast breads. The judging gets really intense with those.

Lately, photography has become more popular, with more than 300 entries submitted each year the last few.

Q: What displays consistently draw the crowds? What’s popular among the patrons of the fair?

A: The educational booths by the various Extension Homemakers Club, and we’re still working on some contests. The Craft Potpourri session let people get one-on-one advice with other crafters, with specialties ranging from needlework to knitting to scrapbooking to fashion making. It’s an opportunity for people to essentially get a brief lesson on their craft of interest.

Q: Personal favorites? What are the things you absolutely would not miss when you go to the fair?

A: Well, to be honest, The Best of Michiana Ribs. We get some phenomenal ribs. That’s what I’d pick for cooking.

Also, the fashion show is so much fun. People get a chance to really show what they’ve made.

I also really enjoy the quilting — the colors, the stories from the quilters.

And on Thursday, a group will come in and do spinning demonstrations.

Check out the fair schedule to hit up any of these events and many more at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair.