Exhibitor Information
Exhibitor General Rules and Regulations 2026
Overview: The Blount County Fair is sponsored by the Blount County Commission and the Blount County Fair Committee, as well as many generous, local sponsors. The Blount County Fair is open to exhibitors from all bordering counties.
Exhibitor Age Categories:
Separate Departments have been established for “Open,” “Senior,” and “Youth” competitions. Anyone may enter an “Open” category. “Senior” entries must
be aged 60 or older. “Youth” entries must be 18 or under. Check individual Departments for specific age divisions.
General Rules:
1. All exhibitors must register with the Fair Committee in addition to any additional livestock information that may be required by the Livestock Staff. Entry stickers will be provided to all exhibitors and are mandatory for entry submission to ensure both entry and award accuracy. New entry stickers will be provided each year.
2. Please check the calendar section to see when items may be submitted and for livestock registration, barn receiving, and show times. Also, NO PETS ALLOWED. This includes livestock exhibitors. Registered service animals are the exception.
3. In classes in which only one exhibitor makes entries, 2nd place premium may be paid. However, if in the opinion of the judges the article is not worthy of an award, none will be paid. Judges may not award positional ties.
4. Every article on exhibit shall be under the control of the Fair management, and while every reasonable precaution will be taken to safeguard the same, neither the management or its officers or guards will be responsible for any loss, damage,
or accident that may occur.
5. Every entry must be made in the name of the bona fide owner at the time of entry. Any entry made contrary to this rule will not be allowed to compete, and any premium awarded under such conditions will be forfeited.
6. All exhibits must be removed by Noon on Monday after the Fair.
7. Rights are reserved to carry over the program from day to day and to declare off any or all classes on account of circumstances beyond our control.
8. Decorations, signs, cabinets, shelving, counters, and the arrangement of exhibitions must conform to guidelines set forth by management and local
and state fire laws.
9. All articles, after being entered and until surrendered to their owner or agent, will be entirely under the control and jurisdiction of the Fair Committee, and no exhibitor will be allowed to remove, re-arrange or disfigure the same under any circumstances.
10. All complaints will be considered by the Fair Committee, and their decision will be final.
11. Handcrafted articles, art and photographs which have won premiums at any previous Blount County Fair are not eligible to be re-entered and will not be judged.
12. No roving vendor or solicitor, acting for either a profit or non-profit organization or on his own behalf, shall be permitted on the Fair Grounds.
13. No exhibit can be removed before 8:00 a.m. Sunday, after the fair, except livestock.
14. Items exhibited must be produced, made or assembled since last year’s Fair by persons entering exhibit.
15.Unless stated otherwise in the Department rules, exhibitors shall be limited to one entry in each lot.
16. Exhibitor’s cars should be removed from the designated area at least one hour prior to Fair opening time.
17. All animals must be registered with the Livestock Staff.
18. Premium ribbons do not always have associated cash awards. Check Department rules for applicability.
19. The Fair Committee reserves the right to amend or add to these rules, as they, in their judgment, may deem advisable.
20. Blount County Fair exhibits and reservation of organizational booths are open to bordering counties as well as rental of commercial booths upon availability, with Blount County based entities having first option.
21. All exhibits not picked up within one week after the fair is over will become the property of the Fair Committee and will be disposed of in an appropriate manner.
22. Articles on display must not be handled by visitors. Fair management will provide security to ensure safety of items.
23. ART: definition of “Professional Artist”:
– if the artist accepts commissions for profit.
– if the artist’s works are reproduced commercially for profit.
– if the artist teaches art.
– if the artist is in business and has a shop where he/she sells his/her work and/or has a license to be in business.
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Entries may be brought in for registration and booths set up between 1 and 5 pm.
Monday, September 14, 2026
Entries may be brought in for registration and booths set up between 8 am and 3 pm.
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Fair Exhibit Entries may be picked up and Booths taken down between 1pm and 6 pm
Monday, September 21, 2026
Fair Exhibit Entries may be picked up and Booths taken down between 9 am and 12 pm
Booth Notes and Rules:
1. Exhibitors will be held responsible for the cleanliness of their booth. All booths must be ready one hour before gates open during the Fair. In case of failure on the part of the exhibitors to keep their spaces clean and orderly, the Fair Committee may use such means as they deem advisable to enforce this rule.
2. Booth set up dates and times:
3. Space assigned and not occupied by 9:00 a.m. on the first day of the fair will be forfeited, as well as fees paid.
4. The distribution of hand bills or other advertising matter is strictly prohibited and no tacking or posting of advertising bills, cards, etc., will be permitted on any of the buildings or elsewhere. Exhibitors may advertise at and distribute from their space of exhibit only. No political data can be distributed. Begging, soliciting, singing or public speaking is prohibited. Commercial and information booths, paid or free, will be limited to inside of the booth only.
5. The Fair Committee reserves the right to restrict items being sold that are deemed inappropriate or offensive.
6. The total height of the exhibit shall not exceed eight feet.
7. All showcases, cabinets, shelving, counters, walls, wiring, piping, etc., required in the installation of an exhibit shall be provided at the expense of the exhibitor.
8. The names of schools, communities, or clubs having organizational booth exhibits will be left off until after the judges have made the awards.
9. No one club may have more than one booth exhibit.
10. No booths may sell or give out food, drink or other food items. Individually wrapped candies are accepted.
Commercial Booths
Commercial and/or Informational Booths are 96”x96”. Booth structure must be provided. Structure must be made from elements that will not scratch or harm the floor in any way. Nothing may be attached to the walls of the event space. The booth structure must be freestanding. Commercial Booths are rented. All booth subjects will be juried to insure that duplication of services/products will be kept to a minimum. Commercial booth rental is $200 per week. Each rental comes with 2 complimentary gate passes. Please request a booth rental registration form by emailing blountcountyalfair@gmail.com .
Non Profit Booths are 96”x96”. Booth structure must be provided. Structure must be made from elements that will not scratch or harm the floor in any way. Nothing may be attached to the walls of the event space. The booth structure must be freestanding. Non Profit Booths are rented. Non Profit booth rental is $100 per week. Each rental comes with 2 complimentary gate passes. Non profits must be able to prove non profit status if asked. Please request a booth rental registration form by emailing blountcountyalfair@gmail.com .
Individual Exhibits
General Rules
1. All general rules apply.
2. Entries are open to all youth and adults.
3. Only one entry per lot.
4. Entries must be brought in during the following dates and times: Sunday, September 13th from 1-5
p.m. or Monday, September 14th from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. All entries must remain in place through
September 19th. All entries must be picked up during the following times: Sunday, September
20th from 1-6 p.m. or Monday, September 21st from 9am-12 p.m.
5. Articles that have received premiums in previous fairs are not eligible and will not be judged.
6. In the Handiwork class, all items must be made within the last year, must be clean, pressed and
neat.
7. All canned vegetables must be in standard canning jars (with company logo-examples: Kerr, Ball,etc.). Bands
must be removed. Only half pints, pints and quarts will be accepted. No half-gallon or gallon jars will be accepted
due to limited space. No mayonnaise, pickle jars, etc., as these will be disqualified.
8. Baked goods must be on disposable plates and in sealable zip-lock bags.
9. ANY items containing tree nuts must be checked inside of a zip-lock bag due to allergies.
10. Items entered must be made by exhibitors.
11. All produce and canned items must be of the current year’s production and in the name of the
producer.
12. All produce is judged by a criterion of uniformity: uniform size, shape and color.
13. Baked entries are perishable and will not be returned; they become the property of the Blount
County Fair Committee.
14. Quilts cannot be over 15 years old. Quilts must be completed.
15. In the Art Exhibit Class, the above general rules apply, plus the following:
A. No drawing by numbers or copies of paintings
will be accepted.
B. All entries must be framed, with the exception
of photography. Photography class entries must be mounted on 11×14 inch BLACK post-
er board.
C. No artwork will be accepted if not equipped with wires and/or hangers strong enough for dis-
play during the week of the fair. (Photography Classes are exceptions).
16. The Blount County Fair Committee reserves the right to refuse articles that are not deemed meri-
torious. Any class may be eliminated if the number of entries is not sufficient to offer competition.
17. The Blount County Fair Committee will not be responsible for any loss or breakage; however, rea-
sonable care will be used at all times in handling exhibits.
18. Awards for each lot will be as follows:
1st-$5
2nd-$3
3rd-$2
DIVISION I
CLASS 1 – CANNED VEGETABLES
Lot
1-Field Peas
2-Green Beans
3-Kraut
4-Soup Mixture
5-Squash
6-Tomatoes
7-Tomato Juice
8-Okra
9-Potatoes
10-Butterbeans
11-Other
CLASS 2 – JAMS
Lot
1-Blackberry
2-Strawberry
3-Blueberry
4-Sugar-Free
5-Peach
6-Other
CLASS 3 – JELLIES
Lot
1-Apple
2-Blackberry
3-Grape
4-Muscadine
5-Plum
6-Scuppernong
7-Pepper
8-Sugar-Free
9-Other
CLASS 4 – PRESERVES
Lot
1-Apple*
2-Apple Butter
3-Fig
4-Peach
5-Pear
6-Strawberry*
7-Sugar-Free
8-Other
CLASS 5 – CANNED FRUITS
Lot
1-Peaches
2-Pears
3-Other Canned Fruits
CLASS 6 – CANNED FRUIT JUICES
Lot
1-Grape
2-Other
CLASS 7 – PICKLES
Lot
1-Beets
2-Cucumber, Bread & Butter
3-Cucumber, Dill
4-Cucumber, Sweet
5-Cucumber, Sticks
6-Green Tomato
7-Okra
8-Squash
9-Pepper
10-Other
CLASS 8 – RELISHES/SAUCES
Lot
1-Applesauce
2-Chili Sauce
3-Chowchow
4-Pepper Relish
5-Pepper Sauce
6-Salsa
7-Squash Relish
8-Sweet Cucumber Relish
9-Other
CLASS 9 – ALL CLASSES 1-9 –YOUTH 18 & UNDER
DIVISION II
CLASS 1 – FIELD & TRUCK CROPS
Lot
1-Apples (3)
2-Butter Beans (6)
3-Corn (1)
4-Cucumbers (3)
5-Eggplant (1)
6-Figs (3)
7-Gourds, Large (1)
8-Gourds, Small (1)
9-Green Beans (6)
10-Muscadines (bunch)
11-Scuppernongs (12)
12-Okra (6 pods)
13-Onions, Small (3)
14-Onions, Large (1)
15-Peanuts (12)-Place in sealed, plastic bag due to allergies.
16-Pears (3)
17-Peas (6 pods)
18-Pepper, Banana (3)
19-Pepper, Bell (1)
20-Pepper, Habanero (3 pods)
21-Pepper, Jalapeno (3 pods)
22-Pepper, Large Hot (3 pods)
23-Pepper, Small Hot (3 pods)
24-Potatoes, Irish (3)
25-Potatoes, Sweet (3)
26-Pumpkin, Giant (1)
27-Pumpkin, Edible
28-Pumpkin, Jack-O-Lantern type (Not decorated) (1)
29-Pumpkin, Ornamental (1)
30-Squash, Butternut (1)
31-Squash, Yellow
32-Crookneck (3)
33-Squash, Yellow Straight‐neck (3)
34-Squash, Zucchini (1)
35-Squash, Other (1)
36-Tomatoes, Large (3)
37-Tomatoes, Small (3)
38-Watermelon, 30 lbs. or less (1)
39-Watermelon, Over 30 lbs. (1)
40-Honey with comb
41-Honey without comb
42-Other
CLASS 2 – FIELD & TRUCK CROPS
YOUTH 18 & UNDER
Lot
1-Pumpkins (1)
2-Sunflowers (1)
3-Watermelons (1)
4-Corn (1)
5-Other
CLASS 3 –DRIED VEGETABLES
Lot
1-Beans, Lima (6 pods)
2-Corn, Field (3)
3-Corn, Large
4-Ornamental (3)
5-Corn, Small
6-Okra, Whole (3 pods)
7-Peas (6 pods)
8-Pepper, Large Hot (3 pods)
9-Pepper, Small Hot (3 pods)
10-Other
CLASS 4 – DRIED FRUITS
Lot
1-Apples
2-Figs
3-Peaches
4-Pears
5-Other
CLASS 5 – DRIED HERBS
Lot
1-Basil
2-Bayleaf
3-Dill
4-Mint
5-Oregano
6-Rosemary
7-Sage
8-Thyme
9-Other
CLASS 6 – BLOUNT COUNTY 4-H GROWS PROJECT 2025
Lot
1-Watermelons (1)- Heaviest
2-Watermelons (1)- Largest in Circumference
3-Sweet Potatoes-Heaviest Group
4-Purple Martin Gourd
DIVISION III
CLASS 1 – QUICK BREADS
Lot
1-Banana Nut
2-Coffee Cake
3-Zucchini Bread
4-Muffins
5-Cornbread
6-Biscuits
7-Other
CLASS 2 – YEAST BREADS
Lot
1-Cinnamon Rolls
2-Dinner Rolls
3-White Loaf Bread
4-Herb Bread
5-Other
CLASS 3 – CAKES
Lot
1-Decorated
2-Pound Cake
3-Iced
4-Cupcakes
5-Angel Food
6-Other
CLASS 4 – COOKIES
Lot
1-Bar
2-Drop
3-Refrigerator
4-Brownies
5-Shaped
6-Other
CLASS 5 – CANDY
Lot
1-Fudge
2-Peanut/Pecan Brittle
3-Other
CLASS 6 – PIES
Lot
1-Fruit
2-Cream
3-Custard
4-Nut
5-Fried
6-Other
CLASS 7 –DIET/SUGAR-FREE
Lot
1-Quick Breads
2-Yeast Breads
3-Cakes
4-Cookies
5-Candy
6-Pies
7-Cupcakes
8-Other
CLASS 8 –YOUTH 18 AND UNDER
Lot
1-Quick Bread
2-Yeast Breads
3-Cakes
4-Cookies
5-Candy
6-Pies
7-Cupcakes
8-Other
DIVISION IV
CLASS 1 –HANDIWORK
Lot
1-Counted Cross Stitch
2-Cross Stitch
3-Crochet, Fine Thread
4-Crochet, Yarn
5-Embroidery
6-Knitting
7-Tote
8-Purse
9-Jewelry
10-Other
CLASS 2 – HANDIWORK YOUTH 18 & UNDER
Lots -As above/CLASS 1
CLASS 3 –HANDIWORK SENIORS 60+
Lots – As above/CLASS 1
CLASS 4 – CLOTHING
Lot
1-Adult Wear
2-Crocheted Adult Item
3-Knitted Adult Item
4-Child’s Wear
5-Crocheted Baby/Child’s Item
6-Knitted Baby/Child’s Item
7-Smocking
8-Scarf
9-Shawls
10-Ponchos
11-Cowls
12-Socks/Slippers
13-Hat/Headband
14-Other
CLASS 5 – CLOTHING YOUTH 18 & UNDER
Lots – As above (CLASS 4)
CLASS 6 –CLOTHING SENIORS 60+
Lots – Same as CLASS 4
CLASS 7 –HOMESTEAD CRAFTSMANSHIP
Lot
1-Lye Soap
2-Weaving
3-Pottery
4-Hand-Dipped Candles
5-Wood Carving
6-Other
CLASS 8 –HOMESTEAD CRAFTSMANSHIP* SENIORS 60+
Lots – As above (CLASS 7)
DIVISION V
CLASS 1 –HOUSEHOLD LINENS
Lot
1-Afghan, Crocheted
2-Afghan, Knitted
3-Baby Afghan, Crocheted
4-Baby Afghan, Knitted
5-Quilt, Crib
6-Quilt, Embroidery
7-Quilt, Cross stitch*
8-Quilt, Hand Applique
9-Quilt, Machine Applique
10-Quilt, Pieced
11-Quilt, Hand Quilted
12-Quilt, Machine Quilted
13-Throw/Lap Quilt
14-Wall Hanging
15-Pillow Cases & Sheets
16-TablecLoth, Crocheted
17-TablecLoth, Embroidered
18-Tablerunner
19-Napkin
20-Coasters*
21-Placemat
22-DishcLoth/Pot Holder
23-Casserole Carrier
24-Bread Basket Liner
25-Pillow
26-Christmas Item
27-Apron
28-Other
CLASS 2 –HOUSEHOLD LINENS YOUTH 18 & UNDER
Lots – As Above/CLASS 1
CLASS 3 –HOUSEHOLD LINENS SENIORS 60+
Lots – As Above/CLASS 1
DIVISION VI
CLASS 1 – CRAFTS
Lot
1-Basket, Decorated
2-Decorated Flower Pot
3-Ceramics
4-Hand Sculpted Clay
5-Dolls, Dressed/ Decorated
6-Doll, Handmade
7-Angel, Handmade
8-Wreath (Not Christmas)
9-Decorated Birdhouse
10-Decorated Gourd
11-Silk Flower Arrangement
12-Plastic Canvas
13-Handcrafted
14-Woodwork Item (Not
Furniture)
15-Woodwork
16-Metal Item (Handmade)
17-Handmade Basket
18-Folk Art
19-Other
CLASS 2 – YOUTH 18 YRS & UNDER
Lot
1-Angel, Handmade
2-Birdhouse, Decorated/Painted
3-Clay Item
4-Hand-Sculpted
5-Doll, Handmade
6-Flower Pot, Decorated/Painted
7-Gourd, Decorated/ Painted
8-Ornament, Handmade
9-Plastic Canvas
10-Table Decoration,
Handmade
11-Wood Item, Handmade
12-Other
CLASS 3 –CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
Lot
1-Doll/Angel
2-Ornament, Fabric
3-Ornament, Wooden
4-Ornament, Other
5-Santa
6-Stocking
7-Table Decoration
8-Tree Skirt
9-Wall Hanging
10-Wreath
11-Plastic Canvas
12-Christmas
13-Other
CLASS 4 –SENIORS 60+
Lot
1-Ceramic
2-Woodwork
3-Hand-Sculpted
4-Clay Item
5-Doll
6-Angel
7-Handmade Soap
8-Handmade Lotion
9-Other
DIVISION VII
CLASSES 1, 2, 3, & 4 – ART
All entries must be framed, except gallery-wrapped, and have screw-eyes and wire hangers. Gallery-wrap is canvas wrapped around wooden stretcher frames and stapled on the back of the stretchers. The edges of gallery-wrapped paintings must have the painting continued around the edges or the edges painted a solid color. All paintings or drawings should be original and produced by the person on the entry tag. There should be no reproduced, copied, or traced work.
CLASS 1 –ART –
YOUTH 10 YRS & YOUNGER
Lot
1-Acrylic, Original
2-Oil, Original
3-Watercolor, Original
4-Drawing, Original (pen & ink, pencil, colored pencil, markers, crayons or charcoal)
5-Mixed Media, Original (Combination of two or more of the above media)
6-Other (original work in a medium not listed above)
CLASS 2 –ART –
YOUTH 11-18 YRS
Lot
1-Acrylic, Original
2-Oil, Original
3-Watercolor
4-Drawing-(Pen & ink, pencil, colored pencil, markers, or charcoal)
5-Mixed Media-(Combination of two or more of the above media)
6-Other- (Original work in a medium not listed above)
CLASS 3 –ART-
19 YRS & OLDER
Lot
1-Acrylic, Original
2-Oil, Original
3-Watercolor, Original
4-Drawing, Original (Pen & ink, pencil, colored pencil, markers, or charcoal)
5-Abstract Art, Original (Abstract style in any medium)
6-Assemblage, Original (An artistic composition made from scraps, junk, and odds & ends such as paper, cloth, wood, stone, or metal.)
7-Collage, Original (An artistic composition made of various materials such as paper, cloth, wood, stone, or metal.)
8-Mixed Media, Original (Combination of two or more of the above media)
9-Other, Original (Original work in a medium not listed above)
CLASS 4 –SENIORS 60 Yrs +
Lot
1-Acrylic, Original
2-Oil, Original
3-Watercolor, Original
4-Drawing, Original (Pen & ink, pencil, colored pencil,markers, or charcoal)
5-Abstract Art, Original (Abstract style in any medium)
6-Assemblage, Original (An artistic composition made from scraps, junk, and odds & ends such as paper, cloth, wood, stone, or metal.)
7-Collage, Original (An artistic composition made of various materials such as paper, cloth, wood, stone, or metal.)
8-Mixed Media (Combination of two or more of the above media)
9-Other (original work in a medium not listed above)
CLASS 5 – ASSORTED ARTS
Lot
1-Hand-Thrown
2-Decorated Pottery, Original
3-Handmade Jewelry
4-Original (Semi-precious stones or metals)
5-Painted Porcelain
6-Original
7-Stained Glass, Original (Pieces of colored glass soldered together in an interesting design.)
8-Other, Original (Fine art in a category not listed above.)
CLASS 6 & 7 – AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY
An 8 x 10 in. or 8.5 X 11 in. photograph securely mounted on an 11 x 14 in, black poster board. No writing on front of the exhibit. Name and address written on back.
CLASS 6 –AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY- 18 YRS & YOUNGER
Lot
1-Living Things (People,Plants, Animals,Landscapes)
2-Non-living things (Objects,Structures, etc.)
3-Black & White or Sepia
4-Grouping (Multiple images mounted on one piece of 11x 14 in. black poster board.)
5-Blount County (Someone, something, or some place that is easily recognizable as “Blount County”.)
6-Red, White or Blue (A photograph with red, white, or blue as the main color or the main emphasis.)
CLASS 7 –AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY-19 YRS & OLDER
Lot
1-People
2-Animal (Bird, insect, dog,etc.)
3-Landscape
4-Flower
5-Structure
6-Black & White or Sepia
7-Blount County (Someone, something, or some place that is easily recognizable as “Blount County.”)
8-Red, White, or Blue (A photograph with red, white, or blue as the main color or the main subject)
DIVISION VIII
PLANTS
All plants should be free of disease and pests. No artificial plant material allowed. Cut flowers and herbs should be grown by the exhibitor. Potted plants should have been in the possession of the exhibitor for at least two (2) months. Dried Flower Lots 2, 3, and 4 may use purchased material. Do not enter a plant that has won a ribbon in the previous two years. Enter as many plants as you like, but only one per Lot. Plants other than cactus/succulents will be watered during the Fair. Any special watering instructions must be provided in writing.
CLASS 1 –POTTED PLANTS AND FLOWERS
Lot
1-African Violets
2-Begonia
3-Succulents
4-Coleus
5-Dish Garden
6-Fern
7-Geranium
8-Impatiens
9-Jade
10-Cactus
11-Vines
12-Bromeliads
13-Aloe
14-Orchid
15-Ornamental Pepper
16-Bonsai
17-Terrarium
18-Miniature Landscape/Fairy Garden
19-Dish Garden – Other
20-Other – Colored Foliage
21-Other – Green Foliage
22-Other – Flowering
23-Other
CLASS 2 –ALL LISTED ABOVE YOUTH 18 & UNDER
CLASS 3 –HERBS (Cut or Potted)
Lots
1-Thyme
2-Basil
3-Sage
4-Rosemary
5-Lavender
6-Lemon Balm
7-Herb Arrangement or Dish
8-Other
CLASS 4-ALL LISTED ABOVE YOUTH 18 & UNDER
CLASS 5 – CUT FLOWERS
Lot
1-Dahlia
2-Marigold
3-Zinnia
4-Hydrangea
5-Sunflower
6-Rose
7-Miniature Rose
8-Arrangement -Miniature (under 6 inches)*
9-Arrangement – Small (6-12 inches)
10-Arrangement – Large (over 12 inches)
11-Other
CLASS 6 –ALL LISTED ABOVE YOUTH 18 & UNDER
CLASS 7 – DRIED FLOWERS
Lot
1-Sunflower
2-Wreath or Swag
3-Arrangement
4-Pressed Flowers
5-Other
CLASS 8 –ALL LISTED ABOVE YOUTH 18 & UNDER
CLASS 9 –DESIGN CONCEPTS (Potted)
Lot
1-Color Coordination
2-Form & Texture
3-Unusual/Novel
4-Container
5-Complementary
6-Container* (How well the plant and container fit together)
CLASS 10 –ALL LISTED ABOVE YOUTH 18 & UNDER
DIVISION IX
Fair Theme DIVISION- Enter anything that fits the theme of the current year’s fair.
2026 Fair Theme: “Stars, Stripes, and Fairground Nights”
NOTE: If there are categories that you would like to see offered at next year’s fair, please leave a comment in the fair suggestion box that you will find at the Fair Information Desk in the Event Area. We want this to be a county fair that reflects the desires of Blount County’s citizens.