Pretty Chickens, Ugly Vegetables

Fire up the ovens, get the chickens primped and pretty, and keep practicing those tricks with Fido — the Springs Agricultural Fair takes place on Saturday, with all kinds of contests to enter and prizes to win.

The fair will be held on the grounds of Ashawagh Hall during the Springs Farmers Market, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration for contests will begin at 8, or in advance at springsagfair.com.

There will be competitions for baked goods — best pie, muffin, cookie, cake, yeasted bread, and non-yeasted bread — as well as for the loveliest flower bouquet and for vegetables: the largest zucchini or squash, largest tomato, tastiest tomato, and the ugliest vegetable.

The prettiest chicken will be selected by fairgoers. Contests and games, starting at 11, will include an egg toss, potato sack race, and bubble-blowing face-off. Dogs will show off their best tricks at noon.

Details for entry may be found on the website. There is a $5 per-entry fee for the baking and gardening contests. Ribbons and prizes —  $5, $10, and $15 gift certificates for the farmers market — will be awarded to first, second, and third-place winners.