Summer growing season is in full swing! The deadlines for entering some of your garden bounty in the agricultural exhibit, your preserved foods, or other craft items at this year’s North Carolina Mountain State Fair will be here before you know it. The deadline for these contests is August 22, 2025.
This year, there will be exciting new agricultural exhibit competitions including creative Hay Bale Decorating and School Garden displays, as well as higher premiums for the Giants of the Garden competitions, and many youth ag exhibit categories. To see the full catalog of competitions for details about entries and specific competitions, visit the online catalog.
So how do you enter your prize vegetables/fruits, or show off your recipes, arts, crafts, and so much more? It’s simple, registration is online and can be found here. If you are having trouble with registration, see this helpful guide or call 828-687-1414 ext. 208 with questions.
The Cooking Contests have an even earlier deadline of August 8, 2025. See the guidelines for the various contests in section "L" of the contest catalogue held each day of the fair. With those you receive free entry into the fair on the day of the contest. So get prepared to whip up your favorite dishes and take a chance at winning some of those nice awards. Many contests are sponsored by the comodities and are fun to experience.
Be sure to register as quickly as possible as space fills up quickly in the exhibit hall! See below for important registration deadline information.
