Put your creations to the test

You’ve won raves from friends for your apple pie or rhubarb chutney or plum wine. Now find out whether those baking, canning or viniculture skills are blue-ribbon worthy.

Exhibitors’ handbooks for the Spokane County Interstate Fair and North Idaho Fair are available online for the summer competitions.

The Spokane County Interstate Fair guide can be found at www.spokanecounty.org/fair/sif/. Entry forms must be postmarked by Aug. 9.

The 60th annual fair will be held at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center on North Havana Street from Sept. 9 through 18.

North Idaho Fair information is at www.northidahofair.com. The fair will be held Aug. 24-28 at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds and Event Center on North Government Way in Coeur d’Alene.

In addition to the standard baking, canning and decorating contests, the North Idaho Fair also offers two special competitions: The Chocolate Extravaganza, with entries due to the fair office on Aug. 25, and Apple Pie Contest, with entries due Aug. 27.

The Spokane County Interstate Fair offers special cash prizes and a chance for top winners to compete nationally in contests sponsored by Fleischmann’s Yeast, Ghirardelli Chocolate and Karo Syrup.

Here are some details:

• Fleischman’s Yeast “Bake for the Cure” competition calls for any flavor or shape of baked goods that uses Fleischmann’s Yeast. There is also a category for whole-grain bread. Themes and decorative presentations are encouraged.

For each entry, Fleishmann’s parent, ACH Food Cos. Inc., donates $10 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The first-place winner receives $150 for traditional bread; the best whole-grain bread wins $100. One national grand prize winner will be picked from each of three regions in the U.S.

• The first-place winner of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Championship will take home $150 and a Ghirardelli gift basket. Create a recipe with at least one Ghirardelli baking product and up to 10 other ingredients for a chance to win.

• The Karo “Perfect Pie Contest” is wide open. The competition welcomes any style, size or type of dessert pie (baked or no-bake recipes) that use Karo syrup. The top prize is $150.

Complete details for these contests are available online or through the Spokane County Interstate Fair office, (509) 477-2772.