CALLING ALL YOUTH! Unleash your creativity and show off your amazing arts and crafts from the past year! Whether it’s clothing, artwork, photography, or collections, we want to see what you’ve created. This is your chance to shine—your work will be proudly displayed, and ribbons will be awarded! Don’t miss out on this awesome opportunity to be recognized for your talent and passion.
Check-in: Monday & Tuesday, August 18 & 19 during office hours 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Swain County Cooperative Extension Center, 60 Almond School Road (any entry received after these dates will not be judged)
Entry Pick-up: Monday, August 25, 2025 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Exhibitor Information Division A: Ages 5-8 ~ Non-Competitive Division B: Ages 9-13 Division C: Ages 14-18 Division D: Special Needs All Ages ~ Non-Competitive
Non-Competitive: Ages 5-8, entries will be based on quality of the exhibit rather than by the rules stated below. Youth ages 5-8 and Special Needs all ages will receive a purple ribbon.
Competitive: The youth competitive division is divided into two age groups for judging: 9-13 and 14-18. All exhibits must be the work of the youth and made within the last two years. Rosettes will be awarded in the 9-13 and 14-19 age groups ONLY. In addition, first, second and third place ribbons will be awarded.
Procedure for Entry All exhibits must be the work of the exhibitor and must have been created after the previous year’s County Fair. All entries must have (Name, Age, Division, Class, and Category). Youth may use this Tag. Be sure tag is secured on your item. If tag is not secured, item may not be judged or returned to you.
Classes & Categories CLASS 1 – CLOTHING All entries must be brought with a hanger and labeled with the exhibitor’s name, age, and the below category number. Judging Criteria:40 points: General Appearance, 40 points: Color combination, cleanliness, originality, texture combination, pressing, workmanship, 20 points: Cut on grain, appropriateness and choice of seams, seam finishes, hem finish, appropriate choice and application of closures (buttons, zippers, snaps, hooks and eyes), design in relation to fashion and fabric selection. Total points: 100
1001 – Dress
1002 – Skirt
1003 – Shirt
1004 – Pants
1005 – Sleepwear
1006 – Apron
1007 – Bag/Tote
1008 – Doll Clothes
1009 – Cloth accessories
1010 – Other
CLASS 2 – ART All entries must be original work of the artists. Items must be labeled with exhibitors name, age and the below category number. All art must be mounted ready to hang. No loose-leaf paper or coloring pages. No limitations on size for any art work. Any size will be accepted as long as it is mounted.
2001 – Pen/Pencil
2002 – Charcoal
2003 – Crayon
2004 – Watercolor
2005 – Pastels
2006 – Stained Glass
2007 – Digital Creation
2008 – Acrylic
2009 – Oil
2010 – Other
CLASS 3 – CRAFTS All entries must be original work of the artists. Items must be labeled with exhibitor’s name, age, and the below category number.
3001 – Basket
3002 – Candle
3003 – Ceramic
3004 – Jewelry
3005 – Leather
3006 – Metal
3007 – Models
3008 – Natural Material
3009 – Needlecraft
3010 – Pottery
3011 – Toy Making
3012 – Tie Dye
3013 – Weaving
3014 – Woodworking
3015 – Crochet/Knitting
3016 – Quilting
3017 – Shoe Box Parade
3018 – Other
CLASS 4 – COLLECTIONS All entries must be original work of the artists. Items must be labeled with exhibitor’s name, age, and the below category number.
4001 – Leaf or Flower
4002 – Seed
4003 – Rock
4004 – Entomology (bug)
4005 – Other
CLASS 5 – PHOTOGRAPHY All entries must be original work of the artists. Items must be labeled with exhibitor’s name, age, and the below category number. Presentation: All photos are to be matted, mounted or in a frame. Print size can be no smaller than 4×6. Traditional Camera
Mountain State Fair Entry & the Pony Express: The Pony Express pick-up date is after the Swain County Agricultural Fair. You have the option of entering your item(s) in both fairs!
Enter Online before August 22, 2025, and print the entry form. (non-perishable items only).
Bring your entries on August 18 & 19, 2025, between 9:00 AM 4:00 PM to the Swain County Extension Office (60 Almond School Road, Bryson City). You have the option to entry your non-perishable item(s) in both the Swain County Agricultural Fair and the Mountain State Fair.
Bring your non-perishable items to the Extension office, wrapped & packed securely for transport. Label your box with your name and county. Also include a completed entry form inside the box with your items.
Your entries will be picked up in your county from the Extension Office & transported to the Mountain State Fair for judging and display.
Only items picked up on the Pony Express route will be returned on Pony Express. No items will be added to the return list of items that are dropped off by the exhibitors at the fairgrounds after the Pony Express has run.
Items will be returned to your local Extension Office after the fair by September 26th, 2025.
Any prize money will be mailed directly to you. (Exhibitors who win $600 or more must provide a completed NC Substitute W-9 to receive payment.)
This is a free service provided to you by the NC Mountain State Fair and the NC Cooperative Extension Service. For more information, call the NC Mountain State Fair at 828-687-1414 Extension 208.
