COLUMBIA, S.C. — If you've ever dreamed of winning a blue ribbon at the fair, now is your chance to give it a go. The South Carolina State Fair is accepting entries for the 2024 competitive exhibits now through September 1.
"We are thrilled to once again bring together the incredible talent and creativity of South Carolinians at this year's South Carolina State Fair," says General Manager Nancy Smith. "Our competitive exhibits, a cherished tradition and the heart of our fair, highlight the exceptional skills and artistic achievements of our community. We eagerly anticipate celebrating South Carolina’s rich heritage and showcasing the outstanding works of our talented exhibitors."
The South Carolina State Fair runs October 9-20 with this year's theme being "46 Reasons to Celebrate," for the 46 counties in the state. Competitors will find additional categories and divisions have been added to this year's competitive exhibits, including the “Spirit of Carolina” awards, meant to showcase the best of South Carolina’s beauty and creativity.
This year, more than $300,000 in premiums will be offered for award-winning exhibits in agriculture, art, home and crafts, flowers, livestock and more.
Registration must be complete by September 1, but drop-off dates for entries vary. One tip when registering, make sure you select the correct competition category -- for instance, there are ten separate divisions just for cookies (chocolate chip gets its own!) in the Foods category -- and then follow the rules and regulations to avoid disqualification.
Detailed instructions on how to submit entries and the list of categories available for participation can be found at scstatefair.org/competitions.