It’s County Fair Season! As a 4-H kid I grew up enjoying many county fairs. It was always the highlight of my summers. One of my favorite things was exhibiting my projects. I do recall many late nights hurrying to finish things before the exhibit check-in the next morning, which wasn’t so fun. But it was all worth it once I saw the ribbon on my finished project. My local county fair also paid fair premiums for 4-H kids, so it was fun to also get a prize check a few weeks later in the mail!
Another great thing about exhibiting at the county fair was learning a lot from the judges. Taking feedback from those judges, I learned how to refine my skills for cooking, sewing, crocheting, knitting, and more. As a teen 4-Her I served as a judge assistant, which was great because you learned from everyone’s project feedback. Each judge also had a different approach and perspective, which as educational as well. I took this all in like a sponge to help me level up my skills through the years.
I also served as a Fair Judge early in my career as an Extension Agent in Kansas, judging sewing, style reviews, crochet, and knitting. The learning continued as I learned things from exhibitors, especially Open Class Exhibitors (adult community members). I also learned how to give constructive feedback in a respectful way.
If you have never exhibited your quilt, sewing, or yarn arts in the county fair, I encourage you to do so. It never gets old seeing your own beautiful work on display and it’s a great way to share what you do with others. Some fairs have prize money even for adults, which could also fund new projects!
To find out about your local county fair, check with your county office or county Extension office. Here in the Denver area, here are some upcoming county fairs:
- Arapahoe County Fair - July 25-28, 2024, in Aurora. Find more info here.
- Douglas County Fair - July 26 – August 4, 2024, in Castle Rock. Find more info here.
- Adams County Fair – July 31- August 4, 2024, in Brighton. Find more info here.
Exhibiting at your State Fair is another great opportunity where you are competing against others across the state. State Fairs vary from state to state, with some fair being much larger than others. I encourage you to explore your state’s fair and what it has to offer.
The best way to prepare for any fair is to read the fair’s exhibit/rule book first. They will outline certain rules for entry and share important dates. These days you can typically enter your exhibits online then drop them off. You can contact your local Extension office or Fair Board hosting the fair with any questions.
I hope you’ll think about entering a county fair. I have another commitment this year during my county fair, but I am already thinking about projects to make for next year’s fair. Let me know, too, if you enter and how it goes. I hope you have fun and learn a lot!