The Tama County Fair Association is pleased to announce the Bucket of Junk contest is back for the 2010 County Fair. Anyone is eligible to enter this contest. A five-gallon bucket of unique pieces, otherwise known as “junk”, will be provided. All the buckets will include the same number of items that are as close to identical as possible. There will be a $20.00 refundable deposit due when a contestant receives a bucket and this will be refunded when they return their entry.

You may clean, sand, weld, glue, cut, bolt, fasten, bend, shape, paint, or finish the item that you are provided. But, no pieces may be added; you may leave out only one item. Create whatever you want with the contents of your bucket. The goal is to use all the items in your bucket to create a sculpture or lawn art. You will be asked to name your creation when you check in at the fair.

Entries will be on display at the fair beginning Wednesday afternoon, July 21. The public may vote for People’s Choice by placing coins in a container near their favorite one penny equals one vote.

The creation with the most votes will earn the designation “People’s Choice” and win all the money in the buckets. The Tama Fair Association will provide a 1st place award of $50, 2nd place award of $25 and 3rd place award of $10.

The “art” will be judged on creativity, use of materials, and craftsmanship. All decisions of the judges are final. All sculptures will be the property of the Tama County Fair Association and will be auctioned Friday night, July 23 on the county fairgrounds. All proceeds will go to toward Tama County Fair Scholarships.

The “buckets of junk” will be available June 12. Please call Richard Ruzicka at (319) 478-2550 to make arrangements to pick up a bucket. There are a limited number of buckets first come, first serve!