Flowers, vegetables, crafts on display at Kane County Fair

It looked like a farmers market inside one of the rooms in the new exhibit hall Saturday at the Kane County Fair in St. Charles, but nothing was for sale.

Prize-winning vegetables and herbs were on display in colors of green and yellow that could only be seen in nature. And then there were the flowers - petunias in pink and white, purple phlox, brilliant orange marigolds, all from local gardens.

It was the open class competition in horticulture and agronomy.

"We cover all the crops that grow in Illinois," said Catherine Herrington, a fair volunteer and a master gardener from the University of Illinois Kane County extension.

She was with Bill Whiteside, another horticultural expert who volunteers for the fair.

The competition was held in the morning and the vegetables, flowers, handmade clothes, knit and crocheted items and special collections were on display.

"We look for appearance, freshness, trueness of type," Whiteside said, concerning judging vegetables.

"Just what you'd want on your table," Herrington added.

A junior class has been added and both Whiteside and Herrington would like to see more entries.

"You can enter as many items as you'd like and make a little money," Whiteside said.

The cash prize for a first-place blue ribbon is $7, $5 for a second-place red ribbon, and $3 for a third-place white ribbon.

The display will be open today during fair hours. The Kane County Fair runs noon to 11 p.m. today. Visit www.kanecountyfair.com.