7-01-2025 4:20am

Enter Now For

Md. State Fair Seeks Entries Into Variety of Competitions

Fair runs for three big weekends: Aug. 21-24; Aug. 28–Sept. 1; and, Sept. 4-7

TIMONIUM, Md. — Dream Big! The Maryland State Fair presented by Toyota is in search of Maryland quilters, canners, bakers, farmers, gardeners and other creators to enter a variety of home arts and farm and garden competitions for ribbons, cash prizes, and bragging rights. The 144th Maryland State Fair runs for three big weekends: August 21-24; August 28–September 1; and, September 4-7.

“We anticipate more entries this year due to a heightened interest in people of all ages wanting to learn about farming, gardening, baking, sewing, woodworking, food preservation and other skills,” said Maryland State Fair Home Arts Superintendent Janice Coroneos and Farm & Garden Superintendent Bill Langlotz. “We look forward to exhibiting the entries for all of our fairgoers to enjoy.”

Note: This year, thousands of beloved farm and garden exhibits, like fruit, vegetables, grain, flowers, eggs, meats, honey, hay and more will be displayed in the Home Arts Building and the Cow Palace while the new 10,000-square-foot Farm & Garden Building is under construction.

A complete list of competitions, rules and registration information may be found at www.marylandstatefair.com. Open Class entries must be post-marked or entered online by 11:59 PM on July 31, 2025. Walk-ins will also be accepted on dates specified in the online Premium Catalog. Ribbons and cash prizes will be awarded in all competitions. Winning entries will be exhibited with their ribbons in the Home Arts Building on Thursdays from 5PM–8 PM and on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day Monday from 10 AM–8 PM.

Note: All 4-H/FFA entries must be pre-registered online at marylandstatefair.com by 11:59 PM on July 15, 2025. 4-H entries will be exhibited in the 4-H Department of the Home Arts Building.

Following is a taste of the variety of home arts contests at the 144th Maryland State Fair:

BAKED PRODUCTS SPECIAL CONTESTS

Fair President’s Cake – Fair Theme
Governor’s Cake – Maryland Theme
Decorated Gingerbread House – Any Theme
Child’s Birthday Cake – Any Theme

HANDWORK/CRAFTS/DECORATIVE ARTS SPECIAL CONTESTS

“Table Runner or Pillow using Barley Corn Weave” – Hand Spinning
“Felt A Wall Hanging from a Vacation Picture” – Weaving & Spinning
“Metal Works, Welding, Metal Sculptures, etc.” – Crafts & Decorative Arts
“Mechanically Created Crafts such as 3-D Printing or Die Cut (Not T-Shirts)” – Crafts & Decorative Arts
“Bird Feeders/Houses Made from Recycled Materials” – Crafts & Decorative Arts

HANDWORK/CRAFTS/DECORATIVE ARTS SPECIAL CONTESTS (continued)

“Nature Craft Contest” (Children Under 12 Years Old) – Crafts & Decorative Arts
“The Francis Scott Key Bridge” Basketry Challenge – Crafts & Decorative Arts
“Celebrate America” – any craft chosen from Crafts & Decorative Arts Classes N-1 through N-94
Special Needs Craft Item” – open to anyone with developmental disabilities who needs support with activities of daily living (ADL). May enter only one item chosen from Crafts & Decorative Arts Classes N1-N-94.
“One Skein Wonders Item for Children” – Knitting, Tatting or Lace
“Around The Farm” – Crocheting
“Quilters Have Other Hobbies” on A Stick – Quilting
“Games We Play” – Rugs & Hooking
“Christmas Stocking” – Youth Clothing
“Barbie & Ken’s Wedding Day” bring Doll & Outfit – Adult Clothing
“Thanksgiving/Fall” – Adult Clothing
“Christmas/Holiday Ornament or Toy” – Counted Thread, Counted Cross Stitch & Embroidery
Any item/object beginning w/the letter “N” (Nautical, Nest, etc.) – Counted Thread, Counted Cross Stitch or Embroidery
“Christmas/Holiday Ornament or Toy” – Traditional or Plastic Canvas Needlepoint
Any item/object beginning w/the letter “N” (Nature, Night, etc.) – Traditional or Plastic Canvas Needlepoint

FINE ARTS CONTESTS

“A Goose or Geese” – Any Style, Any Medium
“Old Movie Theaters” Miniature – Any Scene, Any Composition, Any Medium
“Bodies of Water” – Any Medium

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTESTS

“Maryland County Flags” – Regular or Digital

“Food & Drink” – Regular or Digital

The 144th Maryland State Fair presented by Toyota is a fun and educational destination complete with daily livestock, horse, home arts and farm and garden exhibits, rides, games, live entertainment, Thoroughbred horse racing and more, sure to captivate visitors of all ages. No other event provides so much food, fun, family entertainment, and education for so little. The 144th Maryland State Fair, located in Timonium in Baltimore County, runs for three big weekends: Thursday, August 21–Sunday, August 24; Thursday, August 28-Labor Day Monday, September 1 and Thursday, September 4–Sunday, September 7. For details, go to www.marylandstatefair.com. Dream Big!