Chairperson: Amy Aldenderfer, County Extension Agent for Horticulture
GARDEN AND FRUITS RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. Entries will be accepted on Monday, July 7, 2025 beginning at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m.
2. Sunday entries are discouraged for garden and fruits categories as quality will decrease before judging.
3. Judging will be Monday, July 7, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.
4. Exhibits must be picked up between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., Sunday, July 13, 2025. Any exhibits not picked up with be disposed of, or taken to the Hardin County Extension Office. Any items not picked up by July 31, 2025 will be donated.
5. Exhibitors may enter only one exhibit in any one class.
6. Exhibitors must provide and display produce on Styrofoam or paper plates.
7. Youth category is for ages 14 and under and must register their entries under their name.
8. No soiled vegetables or fruit will be accepted.
9. Fair board is not responsible for any damage to fair entries. Exhibit at your own risk.
10. Vegetables must be grown in the current growing season.
11. Best of Show Ribbons will be awarded for Adults and Youth. Additional awards ($25.00 for adults and $15.00 for youth) provided by the Lincoln Trail Area Master Gardeners.
61. Assorted Produce - 10 or more species 8.00 7.00 6.00
62. Assorted Produce Youth
Largest Vegetable (any variety) Youth - 1
UGLIEST VEGETABLE: (grown by exhibitor this year)
65. Ugliest/Unusual Vegetable - Plate of 1
66. Ugliest/Unusual Vegetable – Youth - Plate of 1
Chairman:
Renie Phillips
QUILTS RULES AND REGULATIONS
Chairpersons: Stitchers Quilt Guild of Elizabethtown
1. Exhibits will be accepted Sunday, July 6, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and/or Monday, July 7, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. No exhibits will be accepted at any other time.
2. Exhibitor will be limited to one entry in each class, but may exhibit in all classes.
3. If there is more than one article in any exhibit they should be fastened together.
4. When one article is entered in a class, it will be judged on its merit for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place, or none at all.
5. Items having won first prize in 2024 are not eligible for exhibiting in 2025.
6. Items not winning first place will be limited to entry for two years only.
7. All quilts must be made by the exhibitor, except the antique category.
8. All quilts must be quilted by the exhibitor, except in categories 19, 20, 21, 26, and 27.
9. All exhibitors must be a resident of Hardin County.
10. No soiled items accepted.
11. All items will be kept for display until Sunday, July 13, 2025 No early pick ups.
12. Exhibits must be picked up between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Sunday, July 13, 2025
13. Fair Board is not responsible for any damage to fair entries. Exhibit at your own risk.
14. All entries will be judged on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Building will be closed for judging.
15. Judges decisions are final.
16. Best of Show Ribbon will be awarded for Quilts
QUILTS
BED
SIZED QUILTS: (TWIN TO KING SIZED) PERIMETER SHOULD MEASURE
1. Pieced – Machine quilted
2. Pieced – Hand quilted
3. Appliquéd – Machine quilted
4. Mixed Pieced & appliquéd–hand or machine quilted
5. Other Techniques
WALL HANGING AND LAP SIZED QUILTS:
9. Machine pieced - Machine quilted
10. Machine pieced - Hand quilted
11. Appliquéd – Machine quilted
12. Scenery/Landscape
OTHER
QUILTS:
14. Baby Quilts
15. Art Quilts
16. Miniature Quilts
17. Un-quilted Tops
18. Quilted Table Runners
19. Quilt made by two (2) individuals (Quilt made by two people where one person completes the quilt top by hand or by machine.
The second person does the quilting by hand 10.00 9.00 8.00
20. Quilt made by two (2) individuals (Quilt made by two people where one person completes the quilt top by hand or by machine.
The second person does the quilting by machine 10.00 9.00 8.00
21. Quilt made by a group (Quilt made by three (3) or more people, hand or machine pieced, hand quilted or machine quilted, with a minimum size of 60” x 85”.
Make entry in name of the group.
22. Holiday Quilt
23. Tack quilt
24. Other Techniques
25. Paper Pieced (foundation pieced) 10.00 9.00 8.00
26. Antique Quilts –(Do not have to be made by the person entering the Quilt) 10.00 9.00 8.00
27. First Fair Entry 10.00 9.00 8.00
28. Other Quilted Items
29. Hand Appliqued – Hand Quilted
30. Hand Pieced & Hand Quilted
31. T-Shirt Quilt
8.00
9.00 8.00
32. Bags 10.00 9.00 8.00
33. Miscellaneous 10.00 9.00 8.00
CHILD’S CATEGORY:
34. Quilt made by 2 people 10.00 9.00 8.00
Chairman: Renie Phillips
FAMILY LIVING RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. Exhibits will be accepted Sunday, July 6, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and/or Monday, July 7, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. No exhibits will be accepted at any other time.
2. Exhibitor will be limited to one entry in each class, but may exhibit in all classes.
3. If there is more than one article in any exhibit they should be fastened together.
4. When one article is entered in a class, it will be judged on its merit for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place, or none at all.
5. Items having won first prize in 2024 are not eligible for exhibiting in 2025.
6. Items not winning first place will be limited to entry for two years only.
7. All entries must be made by the person entering, except the collection category.
8. All exhibitors must be a resident of Hardin County.
9. Youth may exhibit in any category, but will only be judged against other youth in those specified as youth categories. In non-youth labeled categories, all exhibitors will be judged together.
10. No soiled items accepted.
11. All items will be kept for display until Sunday, July 13, 2025.
12. Exhibits must be picked up between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Sunday, July 13, 2025. Remaining items will be taken to the Hardin County Extension Office. Any items not claimed by July 31, 2025 will be donated.
14. Fair Board is not responsible for any damage to fair entries. Exhibit at your own risk.
15. Family living entries will be judged on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Building will be closed during judging.
16. Judges decisions are final.
17. Best of Show Ribbons will be awarded for Needlecraft, Fiber Arts, Clothing, Handicraft I, and Handicraft II.
NEEDLECRAFT
Chairpersons: Joyce Bingham, Ginger Shively, and Cindy Wells
56. Pillow Case: Handmade Case with or by Needlework 8.00
6.00 (embroidered, cross stitch, crochet, etc…)
MISCELLANEOUS NEEDLECRAFT:
58. Counted Cross Stitch - Aida
59. Specialty Cross Stitch 8.00 7.00 6.00
60. Coasters 8.00 7.00 6.00
61. Place Mats 8.00 7.00 6.00
62. Redwork Embroidery 8.00 7.00 6.00
63. Hand Embroidered Shoes or Purchased Accessory 8.00 7.00 6.00 (purchased bag, table cloth or non-clothing item with embroidery added by exhibitor)
64. Machine Embroidered Purchased Accessory or Item 8.00 7.00 6.00 (purchased bag, table cloth or non-clothing item with embroidery added by exhibitor)
65. Collectible Item 8.00 7.00 6.00
66. Needlepoint 8.00 7.00 6.00
67. Miscellaneous 8.00 7.00 6.00
68. Made by Youth age 3-9 8.00 7.00 6.00
69. Made by Youth age 10-17 8.00 7.00 6.00
FIBER ARTS
CROCHETED ITEMS:
70. Sweater
71.
72. Shawl/Poncho/Cape 8.00 7.00 6.00
73. Purse/Bag 8.00 7.00 6.00
74. Scarf 8.00 7.00 6.00
75. Doily 8.00 7.00 6.00
76. Baby Afghan
77. Full size Afghan
78. Crocheted Animal or Object
80. Miscellaneous
81. Made by Youth age 3-9
82. Made by Youth age 10-17 8.00 7.00 6.00
KNITTED ITEMS:
84. Sweater
85. Hat
87. Socks
88.
89. Full Size Afghan
90. Personal Hobby 8.00 7.00 6.00
91. Knitted Animal or Object 8.00 7.00 6.00
92. Amigrumi Kit 8.00 7.00 6.00
93. Miscellaneous
94. Made by Youth
FELTED ITEMS:
95. Wet Method
96. Needle Felted
97. Miscellaneous 8.00 7.00 6.00
98. Made by Youth 8.00 7.00 6.00
CLOTHING
Chairpersons: Doris Crews, Barbara Taylor
CLOTHING:
99.. Infant Item
100. Child’s Dress
101. Child’s Outfit 2-3 pieces
102. Child’s Jacket or Coat 8.00 7.00 6.00
103. Child’s Hand Embroidered Clothing Item
104. Child’s Machine Embroidered Clothing Item
Women’s Blouse
108. Women’s Clothing Item other than above
109. Men’s Clothing Item
110. 2-3 Piece Adult Ensemble
6.00 111. Adult Hand Embroidered Clothing Item
112. Adult Machine Embroidered Clothing Item
114. Made by Youth age 3-9
115. Made by Youth age 10-17
CLOTHING ACCESSORIES:
116. Apron 8.00 7.00 6.00
117. Purse 8.00 7.00 6.00
118. Clothing Accessory
119. Doll Dress
HANDICRAFT I
Chairperson:
Mary Ellen Williams, Martha Wiseman
FOLK ART (an expression of culture and heritage):
Chairman: Renie Phillips
CULINARY AND CANNING RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. Exhibits will be accepted Sunday, July 6, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and/or Monday, July 7, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. No exhibits will be accepted at any other time.
2. Sunday culinary entries are highly discouraged as quality will decrease before judging on Monday afternoon
2. Exhibitor will be limited to one entry in each class, but may exhibit in all classes.
3. If there is more than one article in any exhibit they should be fastened together.
4. Perishable food should be on disposable plates and covered with clear transparent material.
5. All canned foods must be in standard jars with rings and must be sealed. No rusty lids or rings accepted.
6. All canned foods must be clean, in canning jars, with two piece lids. No food jars or one piece lids accepted.
7. When one article is entered in a class, it will be judged on its merit for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place, or none at all.
8. Items having won first prize in 2024 are not eligible for exhibiting in 2025.
9. Items not winning first place will be limited to entry for two years only.
10. All exhibitors must be a resident of Hardin County.
11. All items will be kept for display until Sunday, July 13, 2025.
12. Exhibits must be picked up between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Sunday, July 13, 2025. Remaining items will be taken to the Hardin County Extension Office. Any items not claimed by July 31, 2025 will be donated.
13. Fair Board is not responsible for any damage to fair entries. Exhibit at your own risk.
14. All culinary and canned food items will be judged on Monday, July 7, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.
15. Judges decisions are final.
16. Best of Show Ribbons will be awarded for Culinary and for Canning
CULINARY
Chairperson: Denise Hester, Paula Greenwell
BREADS & ROLLS: 191. Banana Bread – 3 slices
192. Zucchini Bread – 3 slices
193. Yeast Rolls
194. Biscuits – 3 on a plate
195. Muffins – 3 on a plate
196. Miscellaneous
Pies, Non Cream – ½ of pie
Fruit Pie – ½ of pie
Miscellaneous – ½ of pie
CAKES: 204. Chocolate Cake- ½ of cake
205. Carrot Cake – ½ cake
206. Decorated Cake Adult
Miscellaneous – ½ of cake
COOKIES AND BROWNIES:
210. Assorted Small Cookies - 2 varieties, 3 of each
Bar Cookies - 5 on a plate
YOUTH:
225 Decorated Cake age 3-9
228 Decorated Cookies age 3-9 – 3 on a plate
229. Decorated Cookies age 10-17 – 3 on a plate
230. Miscellaneous
KING ARTHUR BAKING CONTEST
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
Chairperson: Dayna Fentress
dayna.fentress@uky.edu
1. Exhibitor must use King Arthur flour to make their entry.
2. Must bring the opened bag of flour or submit the UPC label upon item entry.
3. Recipe must include flour, and must be baked.
4. Youth are ages 5 – 14 years old as of Saturday, July 12, 2025. Adults are those age 15 and older.
5. There will be three categories in each age group. One person may submit into one, two, or all three categories if preferred.
6. There will be one youth and adult winner in each category, and then an overall youth and adult first, second, and third place selected.
7. A copy of the recipe (typed or legibly written) must be submitted with the entry.
8. Items will be accepted from 1:00 – 2:00 on Saturday, July 12, 2025
9. Items will be judged at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 12, 2025.
10. All entries must be submitted in/on disposable containers for judging.
YOUTH
Y1: Quick Bread
Y2: Cookies, 5 to a plate
ADULT
A1: Quick Bread
A2: Cookies, 5 to a plate
Entries will be judged on taste, overall appearance, creativity, and texture. Category winners will receive $5.00 and a ribbon. Overall winners will receive the following from King Arthur Flour:
Adult Prizes
• First place $75 King Arthur gift card
• Second place $50 King Arthur gift card
• Third place King Arthur $25 gift card
Youth Prizes:
• First place $40 King Arthur gift card
• Second place $25 King Arthur gift card
• Third place King Arthur Tote Bag
CANNING FRUITS & VEGETABLES
Chairpersons: Martha Thomas, Lelia Williams
CANNING FRUITS
PRESERVES: 231. Peach Preserves
Strawberry Preserves
233. Pear Preserves
234. Apple Preserves
235. Miscellaneous Preserves
Strawberry Jelly
244. Blueberry Jelly
245. Blackberry Jelly
JAMS:
JUICES, SYRUPS, SAUCES,
BUTTERS AND FILLINGS:
274.
275.
276. Grape Juice – Quart or Pint
277. Pear Juice – Quart or Pint
278. Peach Juice – Quart or Pint
279. Plum Juice – Quart or Pint
280. Raspberry Juice – Quart or Pint 8.00 7.00 6.00
281. Blackberry Juice - Quart or Pint
282. Strawberry Juice – Quart or Pint
283. Miscellaneous
CANNING VEGETABLES
PICKLES:
290. Collection of Pickles (No less than 3 Varieties)
1. Entries will be accepted on Monday, July 7, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. No exhibits will be accepted at any other time.
2. Judging will be on Monday, July 7, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.
3. Exhibits must be picked up on Sunday, July 13, 2025 between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Any items not picked up will be taken to the Hardin County Extension Office. Any items (including vases or containers) not picked up by July 31, 2025 will be donated.
4. Exhibits in horticulture division must be grown by exhibitor or have been in possession of exhibitor for at least three (3) months.
5. Designs or container plants with artificial material [i.e. ribbons, bows, etc.] will not be accepted.
6. Containers for designs and horticulture must be furnished by the exhibitor. Horticulture specimens should be exhibited in clear, colorless glass containers. A plant stem may be used to wedge cut specimens in upright position. No broken containers may be used. There must be no foliage under water.
7. All potted plants (no hanging plants) must be in pots not exceeding 10” across top and must be underlined to catch water. Containers and foliage of plants must be clean. Leaves may not be waxed, oiled or treated in any manner. Diseased or insect infected plants will not be accepted.
8. No artificial plant material is allowed. Fresh plant material may not be treated in any way. Dried plant material may be painted and/or treated.
9. The Garden Club of Elizabethtown and/or the Fair Board are not responsible for any damage to Fair entries. Exhibit at your own risk.
10. Judges and official personnel only will be allowed in show area during judging.
11. Small Design must fit in an 8”W X 8”H space. Petite Design should fit within a 5”W x 5”H space.
12. Best of Show Ribbons will be awarded for Best of Show for Design and Best of Show for Horticulture
CLASS NO. I. HORTICULTURE SPECIMENS
400. Rose, Floribunda or Shrub, one stem
401. Marigold, Small (with foliage), one stem
402. Marigold, Small (with foliage), three stems
403. Marigold, Large (with foliage), three stems
404. Zinnia, Large (with foliage), one stem
405. Zinnia, Small (with foliage), three stems
406. Hydrangea, one stem, any color (with foliage)
407. Coleus foliage, one stem
408. Herb, one stem
409. Gladiola, Large, one stem
410. Gladiola, Small, one stem
411. Daylily, Orange, one stem
412. Daylily, Pink/Peach, one stem
413. Daylily, Yellow, one stem
Daylily, other than above, one stem
417. Oriental/Asiatic Lily, one stem
Calla Lily, one stem
Any Other Lily, not Daylily, one stem
CLASS NO. II. HORTICULTURE – CONTAINER GROWN PLANTS (10”
III.
461. Design: Dried Arrangement, Small (8”x8”)
462. Design: Dried Arrangement, Petite (less than 5”x5”)
463. Design: Fresh Arrangement, Small (8”x8”)
464. Design: Fresh Arrangement, Petite (less than 5”x5”)
CLASS NO. IV. YOUTH 14 AND UNDER
Marigold, one stem
Marigold, three stems
474. Any Flower, other than above, one stem
Special Awards Best in Show for Design Best in Show for Horticulture
1. Entries will be accepted Sunday, July 7, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and/or Monday, July 8, 2024 beginning at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. No exhibits will be accepted at any other time.
2. Exhibits must be picked up between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Sunday, July 14, 2024. Remaining items will be taken to the Hardin County Extension Office. Any items not claimed by July 31, 2024 will be donated.
3. Exhibitors may enter only one exhibit in any one class.
4. All entries MUST have wire on back and be ready to hang or they will not be accepted. This includes frames, canvases, matted photos, foam board, and more. ALL entries MUST have wire.
5. No number paintings accepted.
6. There are three sections in Fine Arts: Adults, Professional, and Youth.
7. Adults are amateurs who are not paid for their work.
8. Professionals have been trained in and/or are paid for their work in these areas. Exhibitors who enter into professional cannot enter into amateur/adult.
9. Youth shall enter into the grade category based on the school year they just completed.
10. Youth who have already turned 18, but just completed grade 12, may choose whether they enter into the youth - grades 9-12 or adult category.
11. Articles previously winning first premiums cannot be exhibited.
12. Entries must be the work of the exhibitor.
13. Exhibitors are encouraged to use address labels on exhibit entry tags.
14. Fair Board is not responsible for any damage to fair entries. Exhibit at your own risk.
15. Judging for Fine Arts is Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.
16. Judges decisions are final.
17. Best of Show ribbons will be awarded for Overall Painting, Overall Photography, and Youth.
OIL PAINTING
MISCELLANEOUS FINE ARTS
68. Collage
69. Scrapbook Page
PROFESSIONAL
YOUTH
Enter category based on the grade just completed
YOUTH NOT YET IN SCHOOL
YOUTH - GRADES K-2
YOUTH - GRADES 3-5
STUDENTS - GRADES 6-8
194.
YOUTH - GRADES 9-12
EXCEPTIONAL ENTRY CATEGORIES
These categories are for Hardin County residents with special needs. Please note: any resident can enter items into ANY of the hundreds of classes listed in this catalog. This section is simply an option for the differently abled individuals who may not want to enter into a traditional category, but may still want their work displayed! The rules and dates for this category are the same as the fine arts rules.
Exceptional Entry: Youth ages 3-9
1. Handicraft: Nature Item (a craft made with something from nature)
or Sculpture (any medium, including legos)
Exceptional Entry: Youth ages 10-17
Handicraft: Nature Item (a craft made with something from nature) 12. Ceramics
Pottery or Sculpture (any medium, including legos)
22. Miscellaneous
Exceptional Entry: Adults
23. Garden display (a display of fruits or vegetables that the resident has grown in their own home garden) 24. Needlecraft item (embroidered, knitted, crocheted, felted, or other sewn item) 25. Handicraft: Nature Item (a craft made with something from nature) 26. Handicraft: Christmas Item 27. Ceramics 28. Handmade Jewelry 29. Recycled Art 30.
38 Pottery or Sculpture (any medium, including legos)
39 Miscellaneous
How and When to Enter in the Kentucky State Fair!
Kentucky State Fair Online General Entries System
Entry Deadline: July 10
Late Entry Deadline: July 17
Entry Fee Details
o $17.00 per exhibitor for all classes.
o All digital entries, including all photography classes, are charged $1 per entry in addition to the one-time $17 exhibitor entry fee.
Late Entry Fee Details
o $30.00 per exhibitor for all classes.
o All digital entries, including all photography classes, are charged $1 per entry in addition to the one-time $30 exhibitor late entry fee.
Steps to Enter Online
Before submitting your entry, please read the 2025 Premium Book and General Rules located on the Fair website here: https://kystatefair.org Arrival and release times for each department are listed in the Premium Book.
1. At the top left of the webpage, click “Register”. Fill in all required fields. If you have not registered this year, select “I am a new exhibitor or have yet to register this year”. A valid social security number or Tax ID must be entered to receive a premium check. Proceed to step 2; Entries.
2. Select the desired department, division and class for each entry you wish to make. Make a separate entry for each item you plan to submit. Proceed to step 3, Review.
3. Exhibitors are allowed to purchase one book of exhibitor tickets which include 11 tickets in each book for admission and parking to the Kentucky State Fair. Tickets can only be purchased through the online entry system at time of initial entry.
Your exhibitor entry fee is also presented on this page.
4. Review all items in your cart. Confirm you have an entry for each respective item you plan to submit. You can save your cart for later or press check-out to continue to step 4; Pay.
5. Enter in your credit or debit card information as well as billing information and press continue to step 5; Confirm.
6. To confirm your information and type “Yes” in the signature field, and press submit.
7. Congratulations, you have entered in all your information and successfully submitted your entry! Print a detailed receipt for your records and press finish to have a copy emailed to your personal email.
If you have any questions, please contact the Entry Department at (502)367-5200 or by email at entry@kyvenues.com
Thank you for entering your items in the 2025 Hardin County Fair!
