HARRINGTON — Visitors to the Delaware State Fair can learn about farming, explore the fair and win prizes this year with the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s new Fair Scavenger Hunt. Families can search for answers in the fair’s animal barns, on equipment row, and in the DDA buildings, gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of agriculture along the way.

“We have an exciting lineup of fun activities and educational programs this year,” said Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee. “All of our visitors should find something of interest at the fair.”

The scavenger hunt is designed for all ages, with one entry form allowed per family. Copies can be found across the fairgrounds at information kiosks and in the DDA buildings, located between the Kent Barn and the Simpson Building, where families can turn in their completed forms.

All completed entries will receive a 75-cent-off coupon for either a milkshake at the Delaware Farm Bureau concession stand or an ice cream at the UDairy Creamery’s Moo Mobile.

A grand-prize drawing will be held at the end of the fair, with winners eligible to receive one of five grand prizes: Two tickets each to the March of Dimes’ Farmer and The Chef South (August 28) and Farmer and The Chef Wilmington (September 18); a free Christmas tree, courtesy of the Delaware Christmas Tree Growers’ Association; a $50 gift card to Fish On Bar & Grill in Lewes; and a turkey deep fryer, five gallons of soybean oil and a gift certificate to T.A. Farms, courtesy of the Delaware Soybean Board. Winners need not be present to win.

This year’s Department of Agriculture programs also include a live crop display, featuring corn, wheat, soybeans and trees, and a jam-packed schedule of cooking demonstrations. Both DDA buildings offer air conditioning for fairgoers to cool off on hot days.

Starting Friday, July 18, DDA and its partners will offer a lineup of free food and cooking demonstrations every day of the fair in the Education Building, with plenty of comfortable seating so visitors can relax.
The Department’s Commodities Building, next door, features a variety of informational exhibits and activities sponsored by farm groups and other organizations to educate the public about their livelihoods.

The demonstrations, conducted by Delaware agricultural groups, Cooperative Extension, farmers and Department of Agriculture staffers, take place each day of the fair from July 18 to 26. They include:

Friday, July 18
Noon: Money in the Kitchen, Kristen Homan
2 p.m.: Tasty Hulk Smoothies & Watermelon Cake, DSU Extension
4 p.m.: Honey Extraction, Delaware Beekeepers Association

Saturday, July 19
Noon: Giant Ice Cream Sundaes, Delaware Dairy Princess Committee
2 p.m.: Water Buffalo Cooking, farmer Patt Wagner
4 p.m.: Grillin’ and Chillin’, Chef Kevin Reading, Abbott’s Grill

Sunday, July 20
Noon: Home Brewing 101, Dan Woodall, DDA
3 p.m.: Fish On/Fifer Orchards Cooking
5 p.m.: Top Butcher & Chef Larry Mola

Monday, July 21
Noon: Cooking Local, Simple & Seasonal, Chef Ronnie Burkle, Matt Haley Companies
2 p.m.: Food Seriously, Caneel Radinson
4 p.m.: Giant Ice Cream Sundaes, Delaware Dairy Princess Committee

Tuesday, July 22
Noon: Easy Summer Chicken, Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc.
2 p.m.: Wet & Wild Watermelon Salsa & Watermelon Cake, Mar-Del Watermelon Association
4 p.m.: Easy Veggie Scramble/4-H Food Smart Families, UD Cooperative Extension

Wednesday, July 23
Noon: Watermelon Salsa & Watermelon Cake, Mar-Del Watermelon Association
2 p.m.: Canning Salsa & Freezing Essentials, Part 1, UD Cooperative Extension
4 p.m.: Canning Salsa & Freezing Essentials, Part 2, UD Cooperative Extension

Thursday, July 24
11 a.m.: Perdue Farms/DuPont Plenish Soybean Oil Cooking, Chef Chris Moyer
Noon: Perdue Farms/DuPont Plenish Soybean Oil Cooking, Chef Chris Moyer
2 p.m.: Fixing It Fresh, T.S. Smith & Sons
4 p.m.: Garden Smart, Garden Easy, UD Cooperative Extension

Friday, July 25
Noon: Beef for Dinner with Nage & T.A. Farms
2 p.m.: Water Buffalo Cooking, farmer Patt Wagner
4 p.m.: Honey Extraction, Delaware Beekeepers Association

Saturday, July 26
Noon: Broccoli Black Bean Quesadillas, UD Cooperative Extension
2 p.m.: 4-H Fun Family Fitness Tips, 4-H/Cooperative Extension
4 p.m.: 4-H State Demonstration Winners, 4-H/Cooperative Extension

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Media contact:

Dan Shortridge, Chief of Community Relations
Delaware Department of Agriculture
302-698-4520
daniel.shortridge@delaware.gov

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