Exhibitor General Rules and Regulations 

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 in their last year of High School or graduated within the year. Check individual Departments for specific age divisions.

General Rules:

1. 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.
   3. In classes in which only one exhibitor makes entries, 2nd place premium will 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 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday after the Fair.
   7. The management reserves the right to reject any entry offered by an exhibitor and any entry offered is with the distinct understanding that the same is subject to the general and special rules as promulgated by the Fair management.
   8. 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.
   9. Decorations, signs, cabinets, shelving, counters, and the arrangement of exhibitions must conform to guidelines set forth by management and local and state fire laws.
   10. 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.
   11. The Fair Committee will use every precaution to guard against extortion. A violation of this rule by any concessionaire will cause the forfeiture of the contract money paid, and expulsion from the grounds, if the committee deems necessary.
   12. All complaints will be considered by the Fair Committee, and their decision will be final.
   13. Handcrafted articles, art and photographs which have won premiums at any previous Blount County Fair are not eligible to be re-entered.
   14. 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.
   15. No exhibit can be removed before 8:00 a.m. Monday, after the fair, except livestock.
   16. Items exhibited must be produced, made or assembled since last year’s Fair by persons entering exhibit.
   17. Unless stated otherwise in the Department rules, exhibitors shall be limited to one entry in each class.
   18. Exhibitor’s cars should be removed from the fenced area at least one hour prior to Fair opening time.
   19. All animals must be registered with the Livestock Staff.
   20. Premium ribbons do not always have associated cash awards. Check Department rules for applicability.
   21. The Fair Committee reserves the right to amend or add to these rules, as they, in their judgment, may deem advisable.
   22. 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.
   23. 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.
   24. Articles on display must not be handled by visitors. Fair management will provide security to ensure safety of items.
   25. Exhibitors may enter only one item per class, per individual.
   26. No pets will be allowed in exhibit area or livestock area.

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.

Booth Notes and Rules:

1. 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.  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.
   3. 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 booths, paid or free, will be limited to inside of the booth only.
   4. Advertising matter and samples of articles on exhibition may only be given to the public from booth space or exhibit, but no articles shall be sold from the exhibit without special authority from the Fair Committee. The right is reserved to restrict or discontinue this privilege whenever it is carried to excess or becomes an annoyance to visitors in the judgement of the Fair Committee. Only advertising matter by exhibitors can be posted in the booth, except that cards no larger than 4″ X 6″ may be used to identify firm supplying furniture or fixtures to exhibitors. Booth participants may hand out any information wanted; however no one can solicit donations.
   5. Any gifts to be given out by registration must be done through the Fair Committee.
   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. Exhibitors may sell at their respective stands any article displayed to be delivered to the purchaser at the close of Fair.
   9. The names of schools, communities, or clubs having organizational booth exhibits will be left off until after the judges have made the awards.
   10. No one club may have more than one booth exhibit.
   11. No booths may sell or give out food, drink or other food items.

Commercial Booths

Commercial 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 [email protected] . Organization Booths are 72”x72”. 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. Organization Booths will be divided into 2 categories: Youth Organizations (such as 4-H Clubs, FFA, FCCLA, BETA, etc.) and Adult Organizations (such as Master Gardeners, Flower Clubs, etc.). Organization Booths will be judged based on the Fair theme depicted. Organizational Booth rental will be $25. Please request a booth rental registration form by emailing [email protected] . Prizes for Organizational Booths (Youth and Adult judged separately): 1st: $50 2nd: $40 3rd: $30