Neighborhood Village at the Florida Strawberry Festival

The Neighborhood Village, sponsored by Kitchen Craft, is dedicated to the homemade and handcrafted items created by folks in our community.

The Neighborhood Village is located in the Milton E. Hull Building just east of Lost & Found. It is a chance for you to see some of the finest award-winning creations you can imagine. They will be on display all 11 days of the Festival in this climate-controlled building, under the supervision of the Neighborhood Village Committee and Chairpersons Betty and Ken Lucas.

These are adult-only entries, made or prepared by Florida residents 18 and over (or out of school), judged and awarded monetary prizes and ribbons in their respective categories.

Cake Decorating – Another scrumptious competition, cakes are entered in these categories: Wedding/Anniversary (incl. groom’s cake), Cupcakes/Decorated Cookies, Birthday/Holiday, and Character/Novelty (incl. Florida Strawberry Festival theme).

Baking – Mmmm, makes you want to dive right in! In this competition the categories include Breads (quick bread, whole grain, strawberry), Cakes (layer, coffee, pound, muffins, cupcakes, strawberry), Candies (all types), and Cookies (bar, drop, rolled, brownies and strawberry). They will have been judged based on flavor, appearance, texture and color.

Food Preservation – Yum! In this competition the categories include Dehydrated (fruits, vegetables and berries), Jellies/Jams/Preserves (also marmalades, butters, chutneys, pie fillings), Pickles/Relishes, and Meats/Vegetables (meat or fish, soups, vegetable juice). Each contestant will have entered three jars of the same product, which will have been judged based on clarity; color; pack of jar; seal; uniformity, ripeness, size; and condition.

Home Decoration Items – Including pillows, chair pads, table runners, wall hangings and linens that have been sewn, quilted and embellished or embroidered. Each will have been judged based on workmanship, harmony of color and material, creative design, and overall presentation.

Jewelry & Beading – A diverse category, this group includes entries that incorporate weaving, stringing, wire wrapping and silversmithing of such items as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings and keys chains, as well as glasswork and lamp work. These will have been judged based on level of difficulty, originality, creative design and color.

Knitting, Crocheting & Tatting – Including tote bags, sweaters, purses, afghans, dolls, toys and bedspread/coverlets. Each will have been judged based on evenness of stitches; degree of difficulty; seams and finishing, and working in of ends; and suitability of material for project.

Needlepoint & Needlework – Including crewel, embroidery, petit point, bunka, hardanger, needlepoint and counted cross stitch, judged based on evenness of stitches; degree of difficulty; seams and finishing, and working in of ends; and suitability of material for project.

Quilts – Including those that have been appliquéd, hand-embroidered, holiday themed, and strawberry themed in sizes ranging from crib to king. Each will have been judged based on workmanship, harmony of color and material, creative design, and overall presentation.

Scrapbooking – In traditional and digital sections, both single and double page layouts will be entered, with the winners having been judged based on design layout, display of materials, use of color, journaling and creativity.

Toys & Porcelain Dolls – There are a wide variety of entries applicable to this category including bean bag toys, dolls, doll clothes, doll houses, teddy bears, wooden toys, baby toys and more. They will have been judged based on workmanship, suitable selection of materials, selection of design, and overall appeal.

Wearing Apparel & Accessories – Including men’s and women’s wear; bridal; and children’s wear or costumes. Each entry will have been judged based on pattern design and style; harmony of color and material; workmanship; and suitability of fabric to style.

Note: For information on the rules for any of the contests taking place in the Neighborhood Village, sponsored by Kitchen Craft, please see “Contest Rules” .