There's a big blue ribbon on her summer berry jam jar.
Vanessa Taddison, who's been canning for about a decade, entered her preserves and baking into the British Columbia Northern Exhibition Home Arts and Horticulture competition this year, just like she has for the last eight years.
She was pleased with the result.
"I put lots of jam and jelly, brownies and fudge into the fair," Taddison said Thursday, standing at the exhibit displaying a variety of items in Kin 1.
Jordon, 9, Taddison's son, also participated and took top prize for the most nutritious lunch.
Taddison said it's very important for her to know where her food comes from and since her family doesn't eat much meat, fruits and vegetables are the focus and are mostly home grown.
"My dad was a gardener and we have apple trees and the whole backyard is taken up with raspberry bushes," Taddison said. "Making your own, at least then you know what you're putting in it - no GMO anything."
The fair began Thursday and will continue until Sunday, offering a wide variety of activities for the public to enjoy.
There's the midway, including a children's version, chainsaw carving competition, musical entertainment, the Heritage Lane for some historical information about Prince George and the area. There is also a full contingent of 4-H projects on display in the barns.
It was Seniors' Day Thursday where 58 exhibitors provided things to do, people to see and places to go. "We expect the same numbers as last year," said Lola-Dawn Fennell, general manager of the Prince George Council of Seniors who hosts the annual event. There were more than 1,800 seniors attending last year and Kin 3 was filling up well before noon this year.
The Seniors Fair went from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and along with exhibitors there was carpet bowling and spoon and egg races, as well as refreshments at the Old Boot Oasis.
The Caledonia Nordic Ski Club, one of the new exhibitors, was seeing a lot of interest as the society offers programs geared for those 55 and older who would like to try or return to cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
"Our passion is activities for seniors," Kathi Hughes, member of the ski club and volunteer at the booth, said. "In January and February we have free cross country ski and snowshoe lessons for seniors 55 plus and we provide guided tours. We've seen lots of interest here at the fair. We've been really busy."
For more information and a schedule for the BCNE visit bcne.ca.
