Harvest on the Ridge Apple Festival: September 25 & 26, 2009

Sparta’s new Apple Festival, called Harvest on the Ridge is scheduled for the last weekend in September and organizers say there are more than just a few things for your family to enjoy. Friday, September 25th includes Kids Harvest Bouncers (large blow up play equipment), Michigan beer and Michigan wine tasting tent, Live Music entertainment, and more. On Saturday, the Sizzlin’ BBQ Contest held in downtown Sparta will be an attraction for locals and visitors alike to experience the sights and delicious smells of a semi-professional BBQ Contest! The Sparta Sizzlin’ BBQ Contest is a Michigan State Championship Site and Kansas City BBQ Society event.

The winner will be qualified to be invited to the Jack Daniels Invitational and The American Royal BBQ Contest. Everyone can try some of the professionally made BBQ’s as sandwiches and other BBQ food will be available for purchase. In addition to this mouth watering event, downtown Sparta will be the host of the Art in the Park Show, to purchase the handmade works of local artists. The Art Show is a place where one can sell their creative works or purchase a new piece of art in Rogers Park.

Live music will kick off Friday night and follow through starting on Saturday morning at 11 am with the Guinness Brothers Band featuring classic and popular rock-n-roll, oldies, and favorites. Special guest appearances will also be performing throughout the day.

An “Official” Apple Pie contest will also be underway in Balyeat Field. Registration details and rules for the Apple Pie competition can be found at www.spartachamber.com. Another new contest as part of the festival includes the Sparta Scarecrow Contest. The Scarecrow Contest will take place the weekend of the festival and awards announced on Saturday afternoon. Scarecrows will be hung downtown on light posts for everyone to see for the weekend. Pre-registration is required and details can be found at www.spartachamber.com.

Farm Market Tours will be on Saturday at local markets including beginning at 9:00 am. A special highlight will be the tour of a packing-shed where the apples are sorted, weighed, washed, and packaged for sale at local grocery stores.

As Sparta is the hub of the apple growing ridge, it’s easy to see how the excitement of the festival has grown over the past few months. Organizer Dana Quick exclaims, “One thing led to another that led to another! The volunteers of the community are working together to show the Mid-west why Sparta is such as fabulous place to live!” The event has grown leaps and bounds, says Dana, but began as a small committee to help promote Sparta’s distinguishing factor, something that other communities are probably wishing they had right about now. “Agriculture”, Dana says, “and tourism are two of the three top industries in Michigan. We can promote our community through agri-tourism, one of few growing fields in Michigan.” The Sparta Chamber is working hard to promote the importance of supporting and eating Michigan grown produce as well as supporting local businesses in the community. “Without our local growers, our community would lose our identity and our uniqueness. The hay fields, corn fields, and apple orchards are what make our area so distinct and beautiful.” After many discussions with local community members, Dana remembers sitting at coffee one morning and imagining what the Harvest on the Ridge festival could be. “Local growers are excited, the community is excited, this is the perfect place and time to celebrate our agricultural roots and promote our community through the new festival.”

In addition to the activities listed above there are many other events taking place. A program will be printed and can be found in local stores or online at www.spartachamber.com.

SCARECROW CONTEST ENTRY INFORMATION

HARVEST ON THE RIDGE – APPLE FESTIVAL

Friday, September 25 & Saturday, September 26, 2009

Sparta, Michigan

SCARECROW CONTEST LOGISTICS

• The scarecrow contest will take place in downtown Sparta, Michigan. Scarecrows will be mounted on assigned light poles or other sites in the downtown area.

• The scarecrows will be on display from Thursday, September 24th to Sunday, September 26 at 5 p.m.  You may set up your scarecrow on Wed, Sept. 23 or Thursday, Sept. 24.

• Judging will take place over the course of the exhibit by the Regional Arts Guild of Sparta (RAGS) and the Sparta Sports Boosters.  Awards will be announced beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Balyeat Field.

• As an event sponsor, the Scarecrow Committee and RAGS reserve the right to refuse entries. Applicants are encouraged to create positive, creative, and nonviolent scarecrows.

• Scarecrow entry sponsors are required to monitor the health and well being of their scarecrow for the duration of the exhibit. Scarecrows that deteriorate beyond reason (as determined by the Scarecrow Committee) will be removed.

• Scarecrow entry sponsors are required to remove their scarecrow no later than 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, 2009.

• Please no-handouts should be at your Scarecrow entry display.  A small 8 ½ x 11 sign with your location number & space for the title of your scarecrow will be provided.  You must attach this to your display for judging and informative purposes. Businesses may put their name on the sign.  If you mail your application, you will have to stop at the Village Office for your sign.

SCARECROW CONTEST REGISTRATION

• Those who wish to submit a scarecrow entry are required to register. Forms may be picked up at the Sparta Village offices or downloaded from the website www.spartachamber.com

• Applications will be received from August 15 to September 15^th at the Village offices.  There is a $5 fee to enter and register your scarecrow. Applications will be accepted by mail or in person. Mailed applications, including a check, can be sent to Sparta Village, c/o Scarecrow Contest, 156 E. Division St., Sparta, MI 49345.  Ph. 616-887-8251. Late entries will pay a $10 fee.  Absolute cutoff is Sept. 22, providing we have space.

• Each applicant will be assigned a designated light pole or other location. Sites or poles will be assigned by the Scarecrow Committee.

• One entry per category per person, family, business, or organization.

• Entries in multiple categories are permitted.

SCARECROW CONSTRUCTION

• All scarecrow entries must remain on display outside from Wed, Sept. 23^rd or Thursday, Sept. 24^th through Sept. 26, 2009 and may be subjected to severe wind and/or rain. Their construction should be durable and all ornamentation securely attached. The Scarecrow Committee reserves the right to remove any scarecrow that does not hold up to the natural elements. Scarecrows may be removed after 6 p.m. on Saturday, the 26^th. All scarecrows must be removed along with all additional materials by 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27. The Best of Show and runner-up scarecrows will be displayed at Steffens Orchard Market after the weekend.

• Each scarecrow may or may not have a horizontal support of wood for the body. This support is required for each scarecrow at ground level that will be tied to a light post for display.

• Maximum overall height is 8 feet. The area around the scarecrow except on the street side can also be utilized. The scarecrow display cannot interfere with foot or car traffic. Your exhibit may include more than one figure but no more than four. The space around the light poles varies, depending on location. Some other sites without light poles may be bigger. Indicate on your entry form what space you will require.

• Scarecrows must stand alone or be tied to the light poles with zip tie, rope or twine. No wire or abrasive material can be used. Your scarecrow will be inspected to assure that it won’t damage the new light poles.

• No electricity will be available at this time.

SUGGESTIONS FOR SCARECROW MAKING SUPPLIES:

• You can find used clothing at the following locations:

~Round Again, Inc., 213 E. Division, Sparta

~Mel Trotter Ministries, 538 S. State St., Sparta

~Rummage sales or your closet.

• You can build a scarecrow of any size at Steffens Orchards Scarecrow Factory, 4344 13 Mile Rd., 2.3 miles W. of Sparta. All materials provided, the cost is $15. If you bring clothing, cost is $11. Go to our website www.steffensorchardmarket.com for a $2 off coupon for building a scarecrow. Call 887-2404 and make an appointment to build your scarecrow. It takes approximately 1 hour or longer to build a scarecrow depending on how you design it.

• Sparta Elevator, 9 Loomis, Sparta – Has straw and corncobs

• The internet has many ideas and suggestions. Use your imagination.

• Your scarecrow may project a theme or the “Harvest on the Ridge – Apple Festival”.

CRITERIA USED IN JUDGING THE SCARECROW CONTEST

• Originality of Design (Is the idea original?) 60 points
• Creativeness (Are props a part of the entry?) 60 points
• Durability (How sturdy is the scarecrow?) 40 points
• General appearance & presentation 20 points

Total          200 points

An independent panel of judges with a creative bent from RAGS (Regional Arts Guild of Sparta) and the Sparta Sports Boosters will select a Best of Show and Runner-up.

ALL DECISIONS OF THE JUDGE(S) ARE FINAL

Ribbons for the following may be awarded:

Best Theme Presentation

Best Standing Scarecrow

Best Laying Down or Sitting Scarecrow

Most original

Most Creative

Most Handsome

Most Beautiful

Judges may award Honorable Mentions ribbons, if appropriate.

SCARECROW COMMITTEE:

Jo Ann Lettinga, Formerly of Round Again

Sharon Steffens, Steffens Orchards

John Douglass,  Sparta Sports Boosters

Betty Van Patten, Sparta Sports Boosters

Scarecrow Contest Entry Form

Entry Form Deadline:  September 15, 2009

Sparta Village Offices, 156 E. Division, Sparta, MI 49345,

Ph. 616-887-8251

Organization Name (if appropriate) ___________________________________

Contact Person ______________________________ Ph. _________________

Alternate Ph. _______________ Email _______________________________

Fax: ____________________________

Mailing Address _________________________________________________

City ________________________ State ________ Zip _________________

Category 1: Traditional Harvest Figures: These scarecrows will be typically old-fashioned figures constructed from throwaways from the farm. Clothing, hay, stuffing, burlap, farm implements, farm produce (corn husks, vegetables, pumpkins, etc.) are but a few ideas of the traditional scarecrow.

Category 2: Whimsical/Contemporary: Whimsical character(s) do not have to resemble a scarecrow and can be made of any material.  These scarecrows are inspired by storybook characters, cartoon figures, crazy characters, and out of the ordinary situations. This modern scarecrow may also be made of materials using art methods or electronics of today. Collage, ceramics, metal sculpture, plastics, etc. are examples of components that may be utilized. The composition and utilization are limited only by one’s own imagination.

No electricity is available.

Division 1: Business: Any registered business in the West Michigan area is eligible and pays a $5 entry fee.

Division 2: Organization: Any registered charitable group, club, association, or school in the West MI area is eligible.  A $5 entry fee is required.

Division 3: Family: Any individual or group of individuals (roommates, families, or friends) that work together to create a scarecrow qualifies for this division. A $5 entry fee is required.

Checks must be made out to Harvest On the Ridge. Please send to the Sparta Village Offices, 156 E. Division, Sparta, MI 49345.

Please provide a title or name below for your scarecrow design:

________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE CHECK A CATEGORY AND A DIVISION:

Categories:

1        Traditional Harvest Figure          1     Whimsical/Contemporary

Divisions:

1        Business            1     Organization      1     Family or Individual

My scarecrow(s) will be

1        Free-standing    1     Tied to light pole        1     Sitting or laying down

Size of Exhibit:

1        2′ x 2′               1     3′ x 3′               1     4′ x 4′

I will setup on:

• 1 Wed. Sept. 23, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• 1 Thursday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m. to Noon

1        Thursday, Sept. 24,    3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

I agree that photographs of my entry can be used in future promotion efforts.

I, by signing this entry form, declare that I have read and understand all

the instructions.

Printed Name:

Signature:__________________________________________________________

Date: _______________________                Accepted By: ______________________

Steffens Orchards would like to display the top two or three winners at Steffens Orchard Market, 4344  13 Mile Rd., (2.3 miles west of Sparta) following the contest.  Condition of the scarecrows will determine how long they would be on display.

  This year’s contest will focus specifically on Pies only.  Apples used to make the pies, must be from area growers.  Type of apple and name of grower must be listed at time of pie delivery.  The object of the Harvest festival is to make the public aware of the wonderful products that are right out our backdoors. 

Be sure to stop by our tent in Balyeat Field on Saturday, September 26th, between 10am-2pm, to view the creations and observe the judging process.  You never know…there may be tasting involved!

‘bon appetite!

Entry Information (PDF)

Questions about registration or the contest please contact Barb Bedgood at (616) 887-8881. 

The 2010 Harvest on the Ridge BBQ Contest held in downtown Sparta is an attraction for locals and visitors alike to experience the sights and delicious smells of a semi-professional BBQ Contest!  The Sparta Smokin’ BBQ Contest is a State Sanctioned Championship Barbecue Location for the State of Michigan on Friday & Saturday, September 24 & 25, 2010 in Balyeat Field in downtown Sparta.  In addition to this mouth watering event, downtown Sparta will be the host of the Art in the Park Show, live music and entertainment, kids games, and more! The Sparta Smokin’ Barbecue Cook-Off is coordinated by the Harvest on the Ridge volunteer Roger Gren.

Click below for complete event information.  Can’t find something you need?  Contact Roger Gren at 616-263-6063.

Official 2010  BBQ Entry Form 

2010 Judge Request Form

Kids Cook-off Registration (Postponed for 2010)

Kansas City Barbecue Rules & Regulations

Food Vendor Application Form (already filled for 2010)

Please check out the Event Sponsors!  The Sparta Sizzlin’ BBQ Contest couldn’t happen without their support!

Event Sponsor’s Info (coming soon!) 

Would you like to be part of an event that will draw from around the Midwest?  Click here for the Sponsor Registration Form. 

Kansas City BBQ Society WEbsite: www.kcbs.us

Click HERE for the 2010 Event Details!

The Regional Arts Guild in Sparta welcomes your participation in the  annual Art in Sparta during the new Harvest on the Ridge Festival.

Our show will be held from 9am-5pm in Rogers Park on Saturday, September 25^th. A circular drive throughout the park encourages easy set-ups and teardowns.

Trash and clean restroom facilities will be available.

2010 Art in Sparta Poster Application

2010 Art in Sparta Vendor Booth Application

Questions for Art in Sparta please contact Toni Payne at Creative One Gallery at (616) 887-2190.

Art in Sparta is sponsored by www.creativeonegallery.com.

(616) 887-2190