Anyone who loves to bake and decorate cakes, cookies or cupcakes is welcome to attend a meeting Monday, June 29, to learn more about the new “Sugar Show” contest associated with the 51st annual Nescatunga Arts Festival on Aug. 8.
The meeting will be at The Runnymede, 402 Fourth Street, in downtown Alva, Oklahoma, at 7 p.m. and will be led by Nescatunga Arts Festival committee member April Ridgway.
“I got the idea about having a Sugar Show in Alva from Kay Decker when she was looking at some of my cookies once,” Ridgway said. “She said that they really were works of art, and I hadn't thought about that before. It got me started thinking about having some time and place where local decorators could show their talents here.
“I am hoping that I can inspire the participants to really stretch themselves and bring items that reflect creativity and artistry using the medium of sugar, cookies, cake and frosting.”
Ridgway also said entering the Sugar Show contest will be a great way to get the word out to the public about who all decorates cakes, cookies and cupcakes in this area.
“I know there are lots of home bakers in the area who sell from their kitchens, and I think that this will be a great way to get them out where they can meet new customers,” Ridgway said. “I am hoping that they can get to know each other better as well.”
Another inspiration for the local Sugar Show comes from she and her daughter Elisabeth attending the 25th anniversary and final show of the Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show at the Tulsa State Fair in 2018, which Ridgway said was “amazing and a little intimidating.”
Contestants for the local Sugar Show may enter decorated layered cakes and should provide at least one dozen cupcakes and/or cookies for those categories. All items will be judged on appearance/taste. There will be one first place prize of $50 in each category, plus a People’s Choice award based on appearance. The entry fee for this contest is $10 per item in each category or free to high school and college students. A first place prize of $10 will be given in the student-entry categories.
For information about the meeting and the Sugar Show, contact Ridgway at (580) 917-0101 or maxandapril@hotmail.com.
For additional information on the festival, contact the Alva Chamber of Commerce at (580) 327-1647 or chamber@alvaok.net or visit the festival’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nescatungaarts. Entry forms are available on the website.
The Nescatunga Arts Festival is sponsored by the Nescatunga Arts and Humanities Council, Inc., in cooperation with the Alva Chamber of Commerce and the City of Alva Tourism Committee.
