Melba's Swap Shop: Fun and fair make quite a pair

The theme of this year's fair is “Home Grown Fun,” and that makes food contests especially special. The deadline for entering these contests is upon us. You still can enter until Aug. 15. It is even possible to enter if you miss the deadline. Check competition guides at okstatefair.com/state-fair/competition/arts-crafts for a list of contests and information about what to do if you miss the deadline.

And, of course, if you don't have Internet access, you can call the state fair at 948-6700 for entry forms and other information. Nancy Nortz, director of creative arts, also suggests checking okstatefair.com. There are many contests that don't show off your cooking skills, but I spend most of my “fair” time in the food contest areas.

The newest baking contest this year is the Pillsbury Pet-Ritz Pie Baking Championship at 6 p.m. Sept. 18. This contest will require using the frozen Pillsbury Pet-Ritz piecrusts for making one- or two-crust pies. The dessert-type filling can be anything — fruit, custard, cream, sweet potato. Use your imagination.

I plan to help judge this one and about five others during the fair. Get those entries in. But I want to see you next month at the fair, whether you're a contestant or a spectator.

— MELBA

DEAR MELBA: Please ask if anyone will share the recipe for Alamo Plaza fried chicken. I ate at the Alamo Plaza on Sundays as a child, and I still have great memories of the best fried chicken ever!