The North Carolina State Fair is now accepting entries for its 2025 competitions, scheduled to take place from October 16 to 26. The fair offers a wide range of competition categories including arts and photography, culinary skills, livestock, fruit and vegetable production, hobbies and handicrafts, flowers, LEGOS, and more.
“Our competitions highlight the talents of the residents of North Carolina,” said Kent Yelverton, N.C. State Fair director. “Whether your talent is growing giant vegetables, raising champion goats, cross-stitching or crocheting, painting rocks, scrapbooking, photography, flower arranging or more, the fair likely features a competition for you.”
In an effort to attract more competitors and enhance the experience for fairgoers, the State Fair annually reviews its competition offerings. For 2025, changes are expected in the Flower Show category with each show highlighting different varieties of individual plants.
“This is to ensure that we can accommodate as many competitors as possible in this popular fair competition category,” said Yelverton. “All the same competition categories will be included but they may only be represented in one of the three shows held during the fair. Flower show competitors should carefully review this year’s show information, including entry drop-off dates and times when entering the flower show.”
The fair also hosts various livestock shows with classes based on species, breed, age and weight class. Exhibitors can participate in both junior and open categories.
For those interested in participating in any of these competitions, detailed information on how to enter can be found on the State Fair’s website at ncstatefair.org under the “Competitions” tab. The deadline for most entries is September 15.
Online registration and paper entry forms are available under the “Forms and General Rules” tab in each department. Participants must also submit digital W-9 forms to receive prize money.
Questions regarding competitions can be directed via email to ncsfcompetitions@ncagr.gov. “We’re excited to see what people will enter and we wish everyone the best of luck,” said Yelverton. “Let’s make this a record year for our competitions.”
