“He’s an abstract squash,” said the 8-year-old New Carlisle resident.
Lapois joined her two sisters making vegetable sculptures at the Clark County Fair as part of Kids’ Day on Wednesday.
Other Kids’ Day programs included making arts and crafts and a variety of games, such as races and egg tosses.
The vegetable-carving contest is in its third year. It’s a hit with kids, organizer and Master Gardener Terry Smith said.
It’s also a good way to introduce them to a variety of vegetables and nutrition. Participants also received a copy of the food pyramid.
“A lot them think all vegetables come from the grocery,” Smith said. “They don’t see them the way we bring them here with the roots still on them.”
And the sculptures are imaginative, Smith said. The creations included a tomato rose and a spider from a potato, green beans and carrots.
“It’s just unbelievable what they come up with,” she said.
Karie Yake, 8, won first place in her age group for her intricate backyard scene with a cucumber tree, green bean grass, red pepper flowers, potato sandbox and tomato children.
“I like to do art stuff,” the South Charleston girl said.
And she likes playing with the vegetables.
“It’s fun to get real messy with the glue and icing,” Yake said.
But she might not be eating vegetables soon. She already has a plan on how to spend her $5 winnings.
“Buy fudge,” she confessed.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0363 or ssommer@coxohio.com.
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