READY, SET, CREATE

PRE-FAIR CONTEST REGISTRATION OPENS MAY 8 ONLINE

THE 2024 STATE FAIR OF TEXAS ARTS & CRAFTS AND COOKING CONTEST GUIDES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AT BIGTEX.COM/ CREATIVEARTS. A time-honored tradition since the Fair began more than 137 years ago, the State Fair’s Creative Arts team holds pre-Fair arts and crafts contests and Fair-time cooking contests each year, awarding the best of the best. With more than 1,100 arts and crafts categories and 25 cooking contests, there is something for every Texan — including opportunities for kids.

Registration for the 2024 pre-Fair contests will open online on May 8. The deadline to submit online entry forms and fees is Monday, July 29. Contestants can submit their entries via mail by July 29 or hand-deliver items to the Creative Arts building in Fair Park on August 2, 3, and 4 from 9 AM to 5 PM.

In the weeks following, entries will be judged, and contestants will be notified once the results are finalized. Entries awarded a ribbon will be displayed during the 2024 State Fair of Texas.

Participants are encouraged to use the online contest registration system. The registration portal allows the creation of a family account, which permits adults in the household to add additional contestants to the account and register youth contestants. Youth contestants will have their own designated entries for Creative Arts competitions, but all communications regarding those entries are sent to the primary adult on the account.

Although there are paper registration forms in the Arts & Crafts and Cooking Contest Guides that can be mailed to the Fair, it is recommended to use the online registration portal to ensure contestants receive helpful reminders and judging results of their respective contests.

With various contests to choose from, the whole family can spend time together crafting and whipping up delectable treats. Get ready to register your creative entries on May 8 and start planning your trip to visit the Creative Arts building at the Most Texan Place on Earth during the 2024 State Fair of Texas, opening Friday, September 27, and running through Sunday, October 20.