As the Solanco Fair approaches every year, its annually published fair book is available in businesses throughout the Southern End. A new edition of the book is released to accompany each fair, and it provides a detailed overview of the event's schedule, contests and other specific information. Although many of the fair's details remain the same every year, the book cover always features the unique artwork of a local student.

Each January, eighth-graders at Swift Middle School and Smith Middle School are invited to participate in a contest that will decide the fair book's cover art the following year. Any student may submit a drawing, and the submissions are judged by a panel comprising art teachers and members of the fair committee. The art teachers analyze the drawings' composition and style, while the fair representatives look for work that captures the essence of the fair.

Each submission must be drawn with pen and ink and clearly display the name of the event. For example, the drawings in this year's contest all read "The 74th Solanco Fair." Once the book is printed, colors are sometimes added to the drawing on the cover.

The panel of judges select the top five entries in May, and the artists are recognized during Swift Middle School's eighth grade award ceremony. The Solanco Fair Committee awards cash prizes to the five selected artists, and the first place contestant's drawing is featured on the book cover.

This year, first place was awarded to Rhiannon Groff of Kirkwood. Groff worked on her drawing both in her art class and after school, and her design was inspired by her grandparents, who participate in competitions at the fair every year. "I wanted to represent some of my favorite - and possibly less seen - parts of the fair," Groff said.

"The Solanco Fair is a major part of the community, and it displays our area's strong connection to agriculture," said Mark Phillips, coordinator of the fair book cover contest. "The contest is a good way for kids to get involved and show off their art abilities, too."

Phillips, a retired art teacher, often assists with judging the submissions. When looking at each piece, he evaluates the clarity of the lettering and shading of the drawings, as well as the interest generated by the subject matter. Groff's drawing includes objects that are relevant to the fair and its season, such as squash, strawberry jam and an autumnal candle. "This particular design is a collage of items, but what immediately caught my eye was the lettering," Phillips said.

The fair book cover contest was started many years ago at the former Quarryville Junior High School. In the Solanco Fair's early days, the cover of the book featured drawings from adults in the community. Over time, the contest shifted its focus to include local students' artwork to give budding artists an opportunity to showcase their talents. Phillips took over the coordination of the contest when he began teaching art at Quarryville Junior High School in 1972, and he continues to manage it in retirement.

The Solanco Fair will be held from Wednesday, Sept. 20 through Friday, Sept. 22. All of the previous fair book covers will be on display in the Hoffman Building at the fairgrounds, located on Park Avenue in Quarryville.