How to Enter Your Creative Quilt (or Other Project!) into the State Fair of Texas

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Some of the prize-winning quilts from the 2019 fair. Photo credit: Elizabeth Watson

With more than 1,000 categories, the State Fair’s Creative Arts department is the perfect place for artists of all ages, from beginners to professionals, to showcase their Texas-sized creativity. The State Fair offers several ways to participate in the Creative Arts contests both pre-Fair and during the 24-day run of Fair fun.

If you’ve ever visited the great State Fair of Texas, chances are, as a creative type, one of your favorite places to visit is the Creative Arts building. Maybe you’ve gazed lovingly at all the brilliant quilts and other artistic projects year after year, and always wondered whether one of your pieces might bring home one of those ribbons. Well, we’re here to tell you that the only way you’ll find out is to give it a shot and enter! The 2019 fair wrapped up earlier this month, but 2020 could well be your year. The 2020 State Fair of Texas runs from September 25 – October 18th next year, so there’s still plenty of time to get your work together and enter the contests.

Here’s how:

1. Go download the Creative Arts Handbook
To make sure you’re entering the correct contest, go to the State Fair’s website and download the online Handbook to help you out during your online registration process.

2. Create an Online Account
To begin the online registration process head over to BigTex.com/CreativeArtsRegister where you’ll find a few important reminders. From there click on the Register Now button at the bottom of the page – you’ll be redirected to Blue Ribbon Fair-online. If you haven’t already, create your exhibitor account. This will allow you to login, choose your contest, check on any contests you’ve already entered, or submit an online payment for each entry. If your child or grandchild is joining the fun and competing in a contest too, you will need to create a separate account for them. Each contestant must have their own account. Just be sure to select their division as Junior/Children and provide their date of birth.

3. Find Your Contest and Choose Your Class
Once you’ve created your account, select “Entries” at the top of the page. Listed you’ll see numerous contests offered, or what we like to call ‘Departments.’ Once you’ve selected a department contest, a row of class information will show up directly below. Select the + symbol and locate the correct class. If you need help determining which class to enter, refer to the Handbook.

4. Complete Your Registration and Pay
Next, you’ll just need to check out and pay. The checkout page will show you an overview of each entry fee. The fees are low, ranging from $5 for adults 18 and up, down to just $2 for seniors, so it doesn’t cost much to give it a try.

We hope that next year, it’s your quilt that we’re all snapping a picture of at the fair! Let us know in the comments if you’re planning to enter any of the categories for 2020.

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