Fresh sheet

Blue-ribbon bragging

Ready those recipes for two national contests at this year’s Spokane Interstate Fair.

Aug. 7 is the deadline to register for the Fleischmann’s Yeast Sensational Sandwich Bread Contest and the Ghirardelli Chocolate Championship. Details for all the fair contests – from preserving to wine – are in the exhibitors guide at www.spokane county.org/ fair/sif/ or call (509) 477-2772. The Spokane Interstate Fair will be Sept. 7 through 16.

Smokin’

The Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association will host the Jackass Kickin’ BBQ Cook-off on June 29 and 30 at the Sunnyside Elementary School, 790 Bunker Ave., Kellogg. The competition is a Kansas City BBQ Society- sanctioned event and Idaho state championship with a $5,000 purse. Entry details are online at www.pnwba.com/.

Barbecue eaters can get a taste of the action on Saturday, June 30, at the public barbecue dinner from 3 to 6 p.m. More details about activities are online at www.svfch.org/bbq.htm

Ice pop makeover

These clever homemade pops will have you wondering why you ever stopped at frozen juices.

Author Krystina Castella freezes everything from almond milk to pumpkin puree and cherry cola to wheatgrass in an array of eye-catching frozen treats.

Pops! Icy Treats for Everyone ($5 at Kohl’s) was republished this year by Quirk Books. Money from book sales benefits kids’ health and education initiatives. The recipe for Caramel Latte Pops is inside today’s section on C5.