EXHIBITOR INFORMATION & GENERAL RULES'
EVENT: 2025 Jackson County Fall Agricultural Fair
DATES OF EVENT: Tuesday, September 23 - Saturday, September 27, 2025
DEADLINE FOR PRE-REGISTRATION FOR FEATURE EXHIBIT BOOTHS, SCARECROW COMPETITION AND ANTIQUE TRACTOR COMPETITION: Friday, September 12, 2025.
FEATURE EXHIBIT BOOTHS (CLASSES 1-1 thru 1-5):
‘Exhibitor Information & General Rules’ (below) plus information contained in this Class Criteria described herein.
Exhibit Booth spaces are 6’ wide x 8’ deep.
Displays may be created/set-up on Friday, Sept 19th from 9:00a to 4:00p and on Saturday, Sept 20th between 9:00a to 1:00p. Displays must be complete, and all entrants must exit the Exhibit Building no later than 1:00p on Saturday.
Exhibits previously entered are not eligible for entry or premium.
Displays should be designed to be freestanding/self-supporting. Displays may not be attached with staples, tape, nails, screws, or any other means of attachment to the building’s floor, ceiling, walls or partitions. The rear wall and side walls may only be attached to with pegboard hooks. Pegboard hooks are available from JCFA for use during Fair. Exhibitor must leave pegboard hooks when exhibit booth is removed.
The following criteria will be used for judging: Educational Value (35 points); Quality (25 points); Originality (20 points); General Appearance (20 points); Applicable to Fair Theme (5 bonus points maximum)
CLASS 1-1 SCHOOL and/or SCHOOL-BASED CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS: Open to schools and organized school-based clubs, including 4-H, FFA, FCCLA, ROTC, Science Club, Drama Club, Chess Club, Library Club, etc.
CLASS 1-2 COMMUNITY-BASED YOUTH GROUP (non-school based): Open to Youth community-based (non-school based) organizations and groups such as Scouts, Softball & Baseball Leagues, service groups or social clubs, church youth groups, etc. Youth is defined as Age 17 and under.
CLASS 1-3 COMMUNITY-BASED ADULT GROUP: Open to Adult community-based organizations such as Kiwanis, Civitan, Lions Club, PTO, Cattleman’s Assoc., Cattlewomen’s Assoc., Quilting Clubs, Volunteer Fire Departments (non-paid), Homemaker Groups, Churches, Hospital Volunteer Organizations, etc. that are not recognized by IRS as a 501c3 nonprofit. Adult is defined as Age 18 and older.
CLASS 1-4 MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS: Open to Military Organizations and Government Agencies, including American Legion and Auxiliary, VFW and Auxiliary, DAV, ROTC, City and Town Fire Departments (paid employees, not volunteer organizations), Council on Aging, EMA, etc.
CLASS 1-5 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS: Open to any organization recognized by the IRS as a nonprofit such as Red Cross or other 501c3 nonprofit organizations.
**Individuals are not allowed to enter Feature Exhibit Booths**
SCARECROW CONTEST: Definition: A decoy or mannequin usually in the shape of a human, dressed in old clothes, stuffed with hay, that is used to discourage birds in crops and fields.
**Pre-Registration is Required by Friday, September 12th**
‘Exhibitor Information & General Rules’ (below) plus information contained in this Class Criteria described herein.
A. Open to individuals or groups.
B. Only one (1) entry per individual, group, organization, business, classroom, club, etc.
C. Entries will be accepted at Commercial Building on Friday Sept 19th from 9:00a to 4:00p and Saturday Sept 20th from 9:00a to 1:00p.
D. No perishable materials may be used in the construction of the Scarecrow.
E. Scarecrow must be constructed to be free-standing/self-supporting and have the ability to be moved with a maximum base of 4’ x 4’, and stand at least 4’ but no more than 8’ tall. Scarecrow should be dressed in outfit such as jeans, overalls, or similar attire.
F. Rubber or plastic masks are not permitted. Entry must be family-friendly. JCFA Fair Board reserves the right to reject any submission not meeting requirements.
G. Scarecrow will become part of the decorations during the Fair and may have other decorative items near or around them during display. JCFA reserves the right to display Scarecrows at their discretion during the Fair, including inside or outside of buildings.
H. Refer to ‘Exhibitor Information and General Rules’ Items #25 and #27 for retrieving your Scarecrow and premium award (if awarded). You may also donate your Scarecrow to JCFA if you choose.
The following criteria will be used for judging: General Appearance (30 points); Quality of Workmanship (30 points); Originality (40 points); Applicable to Fair Theme (5 bonus points maximum)
ANTIQUE TRACTOR COMPETITION:
‘Exhibitor Information & General Rules’ (below) plus information contained in this Class Criteria described herein.
A. Tractors must be of model year 1970 or earlier to enter.
B. All tractors are entered as one Class and can be restored or non-restored.
C. Entries will be accepted at Commercial Building on Friday Sept 19th from 9:00a to 4:00p and Saturday Sept 20th from 9:00a to 1:00p or by appointment on Sunday Sept 21st, Monday Sept 22nd or Tuesday Sept 23rd with 48-hour advanced notice. Judging will commence when all pre-registered tractors are onsite.
D. Tractors will be displayed inside and/or outside the Commercial Building for the duration of the event at the decision and discretion of the Jackson County Fair Association (JCFA). (Tractors must fit through an 11’-8” wide X 9’ tall roll-up door to be displayed inside.) The Commercial Building will open at 5:30p Tuesday – Friday and 4:00p on Saturday. JCFA will close and lock the building at 9:30p each night.
E. JCFA will place ‘Do Not Climb On, Do not Sit On, and Do Not Touch’ signs on each tractor.
F. Tractors are to be removed from the Fairgrounds per Rule #25 on Sunday, September 28th between 2:00p and 4:00p, or Tuesday, September 30th between 10:00a and 2:00p.
G. JCFA shall be fully indemnified from such claims of damage or theft.
H. Refer to Rule #25 and #27 for retrieving your tractor.
The following criteria will be used for judging: Authenticity & Originality (40 points): Adherence to the original manufacturer’s specifications, both in appearance and functionality Appearance & Preservation (40 points): Quality of the paint, bodywork, and overall presentation Mechanical Functionality/ Mechanical Condition (20 points): Tractor should be in good working order and operate under its own power. Judges may or may not want to hear the tractor run as part of the judging criteria.
Premiums for Antique Tractor Competition will be: 1st /Best of Show $150 (blue): 2nd /Runner Up $100 (red); 3rd Place $ 50 (white)
EXHIBITOR INFORMATION & GENERAL RULES (applies to all competitions and Divisions/Classes) For Questions email info@jacksoncountyalfair.com or visit our website https://www.jacksoncountyalfair.com
1. **Competitive Divisions are open to residents of Jackson County and surrounding counties and states**
2. Information & General Rules apply to every Competition, Division, and Class. Additional requirements or restrictions will be listed in the Class Criteria.
3. No variation from Division or Classes will be allowed. Please email suggestions to info@jacksoncountyalfair.com to be considered for the next Fair.
4. ENTRY FEES: There is no fee to enter Scarecrow Contest, Antique Tractor Competition, Feature Exhibit Booths, Flower Show or Individual Exhibits in Divisions 2 - 23 for competition.
5. LABELS FOR ENTRIES (3 per entry required). Bring three (3) adhesive labels per entry. Labels should be no larger than a standard mailing label (1” X 2-5/8”) and must include Exhibitor’s first and last name and complete address (including zip code) on the label submitted for the Exhibitor Tag. Helpful Hint: Pre-printed labels received from various charities and other organizations work great for this!
6. ENTRIES: Entries will be accepted on Friday Sept 19th from 9:00a to 4:00p and Saturday Sept 20th from 9:00a to 1:00p. You must be in line no later than 3:55p Friday and 12:55p Saturday in order to submit your entry(ies) on time. Late entries will not be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS!
7. Where to submit entries:
SCARECROW CONTEST & ANTIQUE TRACTOR COMPETITION: Submit entries at south entrance of the Commercial Building.
FEATURE EXHIBIT BOOTH & INDIVIDUAL EXHIBITS (Division 1–16): See Fair Volunteers at north end of the Exhibit Building for instruction.
8. All entries in Divisions 2 - 16 must be submitted to the Registration Tables on the north end of the Exhibit Building. Exhibitors entered in Divisions 2 – 23 who are not actively assembling or working on a Feature Exhibit Booth are not allowed inside the Exhibit Building at any time prior to the opening of the Fair.
9. Exhibitors are not allowed to view Registration Books, nor are Exhibitors allowed to ask what Classes have or have not been entered. Violation will result in Exhibitor being disqualified and banned from entering any exhibits at next year’s Fair and all entries already submitted (if any) for this year’s Fair will not be judged nor awarded ribbon or premium, nor will additional entries be accepted. Only those people actively working on a Feature Exhibit Booth will be allowed inside Exhibit Building on Friday & Saturday, and all must exit the building by 1:00p on Saturday.
10. Individuals may enter up to two (2) entries per Class in Divisions 2 – 23 unless noted in the Class criteria. (Refer to Fair Catalog.) If Exhibitor is awarded multiple places in the same Class, both ribbons will be awarded but only the highest premium will be paid. Only one entry per person or business in Scarecrow Competition, Antique Tractor Competition and/or Feature Exhibit Booths.
11. Entries are prohibited from having any visible information that identifies the Entrant except in ‘Division 1 - Feature Exhibit Booths’ which may include identifying information such as Organization/Club name in the display.
12. Entries must be entered in the name of the organization, grower or person who created the Article. Purchasing produce and representing as homegrown or purchasing mass-produced pre-fab kits or an already assembled scale model (except where allowed in specific Youth Classes) is prohibited.
13. Exhibitor may only enter items in “Wildcard” Classes if a Class does not exist that the entry should have been entered. Entry in “Wildcard” classes simply because a Class already has entries is strictly prohibited. Article will be moved by JCFA volunteers to the correct Class per Rule #16 prior to judging. See also Rule #16.
14. You may enter items for someone else with their permission, except Photography. By entering someone else’s submission you are attesting that the person named on the Exhibitor Tag personally grew, created, or completed ALL work in order for it to be entered in their name.
15. Any item consisting of two or more matching pieces (pair, set, suit, etc.) shall be entered as one Article.
16. Exhibits entered in the wrong Class, erroneously or not, will be transferred to the correct Class for which it should have been entered prior to judging by JCFA.
17. JCFA’s Fair Board reserves the right to determine the suitability of all entries and has sole authority to reject entries if deemed inappropriate or unfit to display. All entries must be family-friendly in nature.
18. JUDGING: Judging for all entries will be conducted Saturday afternoon after 1:00p. Only JCFA Members, Volunteers and approved Judges will be allowed on the Fairgrounds after 1:00p on Saturday. Winners’ names will be posted on the Fairgrounds prior to the end of the Fair and/or posted on JCFA’s social media sites.
19. If only one entry is entered in a Class, and at Judge’s sole discretion, the entry may be awarded a ribbon and premium if the Article is worthy of such.
**A single entry in a class does not guarantee a ribbon or a premium award**
20. Qualified judges will be selected and approved by the JCFA Fair Board. A Judge’s decision is final except in the rare occasion when determined to be controversial or contentious by a majority vote of the JCFA Fair Board. In such cases the JCFA Fair Board has sole authority to override a judge’s decision to adjust place.
21. Entries determined by JCFA Fair Board to perpetuate fraud will be disqualified. No ribbon or premium will be awarded regardless of judge’s decision and Exhibitor will not be allowed to submit entries at next year’s Fair.
22. There will be no ties in competitions. In the event a judge’s decision results in a tie, the Fair Association President will conduct a coin-toss to break the tie. The lowest Exhibitor Tag Number shall be called as “heads” for the purpose of a tie-breaker.
23. In an event beyond the control of JCFA that necessitates the Fair to be postponed or cancelled, JCFA reserves the right and the Exhibitor herein agrees, premiums will be awarded on basis of conditions at time judging is commenced.
24. DISPLAYING ENTRIES: All Entries will remain on display for the duration of the Fair. JCFA will take precautions to safeguard entries; however, JCFA nor its volunteers assume liability for exhibits or personal belongings while on the Fairgrounds. Adult and Youth Foods will be refrigerated at night and disposed of as the Article spoils or at the conclusion of the Fair, whichever comes first.
25. REMOVING EXHIBITS AFTER THE FAIR/CLAIMING PREMIUM PAYOUT: The schedule to remove and pick-up exhibits and/or receive premium award is:
Sunday (Sept 28th) 2:00p and 4:00p or Tuesday (Sept 30th) 10:00a and 2:00p
Items left on the Fairgrounds after 2:00p on Tuesday following the Fair will become the property of JCFA and items will be disposed of as JCFA deems necessary.
26. PREMIUMS: Premiums will be awarded as:
SCARECROW CONTEST
First - $50.00 (blue); Second - $30.00 (red); Third - $20.00 (white)
ANTIQUE TRACTOR COMPETITION
First - $150.00 (blue); Second - $100.00 (red); Third - $50.00 (white)
DIVISION 1 – Feature Exhibit Booths
First - $75.00 (blue) Second - $50.00 (red) Third - $25.00 (white)
27. PREMIUM PAYOUT: Premium Awards are paid via check in name of the Exhibitor listed on the Exhibitor Tag/Entry Registration. To facilitate depositing or cashing a Premium Award Check payable to a minor child, a parent/guardian may request to have their name added to the check by notifying JCFA at registration or during pick-up of the entry(ies) during times listed in Rule #25.
Scarecrow Contest, Antique Tractor Competition, Feature Exhibit Booths & Divisions 2 – 23: Entrant is required to present the Stub from their Exhibitor Tag(s) when picking up their entry(ies) and sign to acknowledge receipt of their Premium Award Check. Premium Award Checks are available for pick-up at the Exhibit Building during times listed in Rule #25. Premium Awards not picked up by 2:00p Tuesday after the Fair will be mailed if Exhibitor provided a complete address on entry’s Exhibitor Tag/Entry Registration. Complete address information includes first and last name and full mailing address including zip code. If mailing information is incomplete, or mail is returned as undeliverable, the check will be considered unclaimed.
**Premium Award Check should be cashed within sixty (60) days of receipt**
JCFA is not responsible for checks lost by Participants or lost in the mail.
For questions, please email: info@jacksoncountyalfair.com