FLETCHER – There is still time to enter the general and livestock competitions at the N.C. Mountain State Fair sponsored by Ingles Markets. The deadline for general entries, which include artwork, baked goods, garden products, handicrafts and more, and for livestock ends Aug. 23.
“We have so much talent in Western North Carolina and the Mountain State Fair is a great place to put that talent on display,” said Sean McKeon, fair general manager. “There are lots of youth competitions, plus fun contests open to all ages like unusual and large vegetables, flower arranging, decorated pumpkins and woodworking. Check out our online catalog, sign up and show us what you can do.”
The livestock competitions include various categories for cattle, swine, goat, sheep, poultry, rabbits and llama. Registration for youth shows is free, with a fee for open shows. 4-H and FFA clubs are encouraged to enter. Rules and documentation required for each category can be found online at https://mountainstatefair.saffire.com/p/mountainstatefair. Click on the competitions link.
Last year’s popular Caps for Cancer display, sponsored by Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair, returns for its second year with the goal of creating even more handmade caps for Western N.C. residents experiencing traumatic hair loss, no matter the cause. Caps may be entered for competition and/or dropped off for donation. Caps will be accepted throughout the fair for those wishing to donate one. Free patterns and suggested yarns can be found online at www.knotsoflove.org. Caps will be on display during the fair, then distributed by Messino Cancer Centers.
All general exhibit competitions are free to enter and open to any North Carolina resident. Drop-off days for entries are Sept. 2 and 3 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the pick-up day is Sept. 16 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For exhibitors in outlying Western NC counties, there is a Pony Express Service option. This service allows general exhibitors to drop off their entries at their local N.C. Cooperative Extension office by 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 23 for delivery to the fair.
The free service is available for Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, EBCI, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Watauga and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Entries must be completed online using the ShoWorks registration system. To receive premiums, exhibitors will be required to complete a Substitute W-9 form at the time of registration. More information about this year’s competitions can be found at https://www.wncagcenter.org/p/mountainstatefair.
The 2024 Mountain State Fair runs Sep. 6-15 at the Western N.C. Ag Center in Fletcher. Discount tickets are also now on sale at https://www.wncagcenter.org/p/mountainstatefair.
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