Florence County Fair - Florence, WI
906-282-9153
August 25-26-27, 2023
Home2023 Fair Schedule** Sponsors for 2022About UsSpecial Entry Contests 2023
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Florence County Fair Special Exhibit Contests
The Florence County Fair serves as a showcase to highlight the many and varied talents of Florence County residents.  One of the ways to do this is by making entries that can be put on display at the Florence County Fair.  

All of the Special Exhibit Contests listed on this page are open to Florence County Residents as well as those outside of Florence County.  These are different than traditional exhibits entered in the fair. 

Click on the file provided by each of the contests to get a printable version of the contest rules and regulations.

Items created for these contests have no preregistration requirement, and there is no cost to enter any of these contests.  All items must be brought to the Exhibit Building at the Florence County Fair Park on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 between 3 and 7 p.m. or on Thursday, August 22, 2019 between 9 a.m. and noon.  Please note that the timeline for these exhibits to be brought to the fair is different that the traditional exhibits listed under the "Exhibiting 101" page.
Best Butterfly Contest
Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest
Blue Ribbon Artist Contest
Chocolate Chip Cookie Champion
Duct Tape Contest
Coloring Contest
Make it Camo Contest
Maple Syrup Contest
Favorite Character Poster Contest
Recycling Art Contest
Best Butterfly Contest
  • ​Separated into 6 age groups

  • The Picture/Drawing shall be on an 8 1/2” by 11” or 9” by 12” piece of paper

Categories are:
  • 300A1Picture/Drawing (not a photograph)
  • 300A2Useful Item (bag, cup, pillow, etc)
  • 300A3Decorative item (wall hanging, sculpture, etc.)

Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest
  • Separated into 2 age groups

  • Pie must include at least 60% apples in the filling

  • It does not need to be a “traditional” two crusted apple pie and it can have a variety of fillings

  • The entire pie must be submitted for judging in a disposable pie pan

  • Creativity is essential to a varied competition

Categories are:
  • 400A1Blue Ribbon Apple Pie

Trail Cam Photo Contest
Zen Doodle Drawing Competition
Blue Ribbon Artist Contest
  • Separated into 6 age groups

  • We’re looking for drawings and paintings of all kinds

  • The traditional entries shall be on any size and type of painting canvas — at the discretion of the artist

  • In addition to cash prizes, a blue rosette ribbon will be awarded for first place in each category

Categories are:
  • 300B1Acrylic Painting
  • 300B2Oil Painting
  • 300B3Watercolor painting
  • 300B4Pencils or pastels
  • 300B5Any medium listed above on a non-conventional canvas—i.e. bark, clothing, wood, metal, etc.


Chocolate Chip Cookie Champion Contest
  • Separated into 2 age groups

  • Create your best recipe for chocolate chip cookies—this is a chocolate chip cookie contest, so each entry must contain chocolate chips

  • Each recipe must be homemade (no mixes); Store bought cookies are not accepted

  • Cookies should be approximately 2” in size. A total of 12 cookies must be submitted for judging purposes. Please submit your entry on paper plate(s) covered with plastic wrap or in a plastic Ziploc bag

Categories are:
  • 400B1Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship


Flip the Flop Contest
Duct Tape Contest
Separated into 6 age groupsSee how creative you can be using duct tape!Items may be made with any color duct tapeItems must be created using 90% duct tapeCategories are:
  • Separated into 6 age groups

  • See how creative you can be using duct tape!

  • Items may be made with any color duct tape

  • Items must be created using 90% duct tape

Categories are:
  • 300D1Accessory
  • 300D2Purse
  • 300D3Wallet
  • 300D4Flowers
  • 300D5Any other duct tape item (does not fit in a class listed above)

Flip the Flop Contest
Separated into 2 age groupsTake a used item and repurpose it to make something new—i.e. making a bookshelf out of a dresser, a storage container out of pallets, a bag out of an old pair of jeans, etc.The entry must be of the completed item, which will be on display during the fairThe entry must also include a photo of the original item prior to having any work done to “flip” the item to it’s new purpose
  • Separated into 2 age groups

  • Take a used item and repurpose it to make something new—i.e. making a bookshelf out of a dresser, a storage container out of pallets, a bag out of an old pair of jeans, etc.

  • The entry must be of the completed item, which will be on display during the fair

  • The entry must also include a photo of the original item prior to having any work done to “flip” the item to it’s new purpose

Categories are:
  • 400C1Flip-The-Flop Item

Coloring Contest
Separated into 6 age groups
  • Separated into 6 age groups

  • Crayon, colored pencil, marker and/or paints may be used

Categories are:
300C1Coloring contest entry
  • 300C1Coloring contest entry


Make it Camo Contest
  • Separated into 6 age groups

  • Design your own camo!

  • These designs should be done on an 8 1/2” by 11” sheet of paper

  • The exhibitors name should go on the back

  • Only one entry per exhibitor per category

Categories are:
  • 300G1Traditional Camo Pattern (Greens and Browns)
  • 300G2Most Colorful Camo Pattern
  • 300G3Camo pattern with a single color scheme (i.e. shades of purple, shades of green, etc)
  • 300G4Camo pattern designed with a variety of colors and patterns (i.e. instead of just filling in an area with a solid color, use polka dots, lines, etc.)

Maple Syrup Contest
Commercial producers of maple syrup are eligible to enter, and they will be judged separately from the amateur entries

  • A commercial producer is considered to be a producer who is certified through the WI DATCP to sell their product

  • All entries will be taste tested by the judge and judged on the density, clarity, color and flavor

  • There is no limit to the number of entries an individual may enter; however, individuals will only be eligible to win one prize in each grade

  • Entry must be one (1) U.S. pint of Pure Maple Syrup made by the entrant. Entries must not have the name of the entrant on the container anywhere. Entries will be numbered as they come in
  • Special Ribbons designed specifically for this contest will be given out as prizes in each of the four (4) different grades for first (1st) through third (3rd) places in both the Amateur and Commercial Contests

People’s Choice Awards
  • All entries that qualify as pure maple syrup will also be taste tested by the public on Saturday, August 24 at 5:00 p.m.

  • A special People’s Choice Award will be given out to one entry in each of the 4 grades

  • The 4 winners from the test on Saturday, will compete head to head on Sunday, August 25 at 2:30 p.m. to determine an overall People’s Choice winner. These awards will be given out on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

  • Due to the use of the entrants for the public taste test, all syrup entered into the contest become property of the Florence County Fair

  • The judges will also be giving out a special Judges’ Choice Award ribbon

Categories are:
  • 500A1Golden Delicate
  • 500A2Amber—Rich Taste
  • 500A3Dark—Robust Taste
  • 500A4Very Dark—Strong Taste


Recycling Art Contest
  • Separated into 6 age groups

  • Create an art piece or reusable item using materials that would have otherwise been garbage or recycled

Categories are:
  • 300H1Item made with empty Paper Roll
  • 300H2Item made with empty Cereal Box
  • 300H3Item made with empty Aluminum Can
  • 300H4Item made with empty Milk Carton/Gallon
  • 300H5Item made with any other recycled item not previously listed, identified


Trail Cam Photo Contest

  • Photos can be from cameras with film (traditional) or digital

  • All photos must be taken with a trail cam by entrant, and must print the date & time ribbon on the bottom

  • Photos should be submitted with a minimum size 5x7

  • On the back of the photo identify the location (township, county and state) where the photo was taken

  • Entries should not be framed or mounted

  • A special ward will be given by the judges for the most unusual photo from all of the photos submitted in this contest

Categories are:
  • 500B1Feathered Animals
  • 500B2Deer
  • 500B3Bear
  • 500B4Any other animal


Zen Doodle Drawing Competition
  • Separated into 6 age groups

  • We’re looking for artful doodling, from black and white to brilliantly colored patterns, designs that take this art form to a new level

  • Entry shall be on an 8 1/2” by 11” piece of paper and mounted on poster board

  • Techniques can include complex shading and dimension, layered patterning, designs-within designs, and eye popping uses of color

  • Mediums are limited to pencils, markers, pens, watercolor, paint, pastels and ink

  • The doodle can be used to create portraits, animals, objects, landscapes or text, the patterning conveying texture and dimension

Categories are:
  • 300I1Black & White
  • 300I2Color
  • 300I3Monochromatic (one color scheme)
  • 300I4Pop of Color—Black & White or Grayscale with a pop of one other color



Page last updated:  06/21/19
Special Exhibit Entry Contests Rules & Regulations:
The following rules apply to all Special Exhibit Entry Contests (the contests listed on this page):

  • These contests are open to residents inside and outside of Florence County.

  • There are no charges for entering these contests. No preregistration is required.

  • Only one entry per exhibitor per category (unless stated differently under each contest). Use the entry form above to register exhibits.

  • The item must be the sole and original work of the exhibitor.

  • Only entries that have not been previously entered into this contest will be permitted.

  • Decisions are the sole responsibility of the judge and are final.

  • Items should be made with a good clean wholesome nature—no vulgar or suggestive decorations will be allowed.

  • Additional information and rules for the special contests can be found listed by each contest.  There are rules and regulations listed on this website and in printable form by each contest.

  • Bring you entries to the Florence County Fair Park between 3-7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 or between 9 a.m. and noon on Thursday, August 22, 2019. Judging will take place on Thursday, August 22. 

  • All contest items will be on display until Sunday, August 25. If you are unable to meet this timeline, please make arrangements when dropping off your item(s). All exhibits shall remain on display for the duration of the fair.

  • Exhibit release is 5:00 p.m. Sunday. Removal of any or all exhibits before 5:00 p.m. Sunday will result in forfeiture of all premiums, as per Wisconsin State Regulations.

Additional Rules & Regulations apply for all Special Exhibit Baking Contests:

  • If a recipe contains peanut butter or nuts, the entry must be clearly labeled as to the ingredients.

  • Refrigeration is not available at the Fair, so no refrigerated entries will be accepted.

  • No materials will be returned to you after the judging process. Please submit your entry in a disposable container. All items submitted will be sold after they are judged out of Lydia’s Fair Kitchen to help cover the cost of the prize money.

  • A recipe must be submitted with the entry on an 8 1/2” by 11” sheet of paper with the entrants name, address and phone number on the backside of all the pages. The recipe must list all of the ingredients, quantities and preparation instructions.

Prizes & Age Groups:
  • Entries in some contests will be broken down into different age groups when feasible.  

Prizes will be awarded for each contest with 6 age groups based on the age group/skill level as follows:
  • Age Group E4 years & younger1st—$2.00; 2nd—$1.50; 3rd—$1.00
  • Age Group C5-6 years old1st—$3.00; 2nd—$1.50; 3rd—$1.00
  • Age Group X7-8 years old1st—$5.00; 2nd—$2.50; 3rd—$1.00
  • Age Group Y9-12 years old1st—$6.00; 2nd—$3.00; 3rd—$1.50
  • Age Group Z13-17 years old1st—$8.00; 2nd—$4.00; 3rd—$2.00
  • Age Group O18 years & older1st—$10.00; 2nd—$5.00; 3rd—$2.50

​Prizes will be awarded for each contest with 2 age groups based on the age group/skill level as follows:
  • YouthAges 17 & under1st—$15.00; 2nd—$10.00; 3rd—$5.00
  • Adults18 years & older1st—$25.00; 2nd—$15.00; 3rd—$10.00

Prizes will be awarded for each category in the Trail Cam Contest without any division by age group. 
  •  Prizes will be 1st—$25.00; 2nd—$15.00; 3rd—$10.00

Special Ribbons will be the prize will be awarded for the Maple Syrup Contest


“Special Exhibit Entry Contests” include:
Contests with 6 age groups:
  • Best Butterfly Contest
  • Blue Ribbon Artist Contest
  • Coloring Contest
  • Duct Tape Contest
  • Favorite Character Poster Contest
  • The Secret Life of My Pets Contest
  • Make it Camo Contest
  • Recycling Art Contest
  • Zen Doodle Drawing Competition
  • "Nailed It" or "Failed It" Contest

Contests with 2 age groups:
  • Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship
  • Flip-the-Flop Contest
  • Pallet Recycling Contest
  • Loop It -- Loop Yarn Contest

Contests not divided by age groups:
  • Maple Syrup Contest
  • Trail Cam Contest

Please note:  
  • Only these Special Exhibit Entry Contest items (listed above) can be brought to the fair Wednesday, August 22 between 3-7 p.m. or on Thursday, August 23 between 9 a.m. and noon. 
  • Traditional Exhibits (Departments 1-34 & Departments 101-128) must be brought to the fair on Wednesday, August 22 between 3-7 p.m.
  • The same entry form can be used for kids (youth class), adults (open class) and special contest entries. Each individual must have their own form.

Pallet Recycling Contest
Favorite Character Poster Contest
Separated into 6 age groups

Create a poster to tell us about your favorite character

Your poster should tell us about your favorite character by answering the following 
questions:
  • Who is your favorite character?
  • What movie/show/book is that character from?
  • What do they do in that movie/show/book?
  • Why do you like them?

Posters can use pictures, drawings, stickers, pages from magazines, coloring books, etc.

Categories are:
  • 300E1Small size poster—12”x12”
  • 300E2Large size poster—14”x22”

"Nailed It" or "Failed It" Contest
Separated into 6 age groups

Taking an idea or photo of a project off Pinterest to do yourself seems like a no-brainer to recreate. 

Pinterest is full of beautifully put together photos of everyone else's tasks, and they even provide you with the step-by-step instructions on how to do it! What could go wrong, right?!

Each entry must include:
  • A photo or the actual printed page of the idea you are trying to create from the Pinterest website or photo copy of a page of a book, a photo of an item, etc. The main idea is to submit your inspiration for what you are trying to create.
  • The actual item you created

Judge(s) will determine if the item belongs in the “nailed it” or “failed it” group of entries. One winner will be selected in each category

Each item can only be entered in one group, and you may only submit one item in each category.

Judging of items:
  • Items will be judged in comparison to the printed photo/page you submitted from the Pinterest website of what the item was supposed to look like
  • Getting ideas from Pinterest is just a suggestion. You may get ideas from other places as well—such as: other websites, cook books, craft books, pictures, etc. 
  • Items will be judged based on effort, creativity and similarity, and even in the “failed it” categories, effort must be given to make the item look as close to the original as possible.  

“Nailed It” or “Failed It” Categories:
  • 300K1Decorated Cupcake
  • 300K2Decorated Cookies
  • 300K3Craft made with toilet paper roll
  • 300K4Drawing or Painting
  • 300K5Any other item, identified

Incredible Superhero Contest
  • Separated into 6 age groups

  • These items should be done on an 8 1/2” by 11” sheet of paper

  • For the Comic Book Page, you can use or make copies of the sample/template above. Exhibitors may also create their comic book page setup, but it must fit on an 8 1/2” by 11” sheet of paper.

  • Drawing mediums are limited to pencils, markers, pens, watercolor, paint, pastels and ink

  • Photo should be a 5" x 7" or larger

  • All artwork must be done by hand—no computer generate work will be accepted.

Categories are:
  • 300    J    1    Pet Rock
  • 300    J    2    Imaginary Pet Drawing
  • 300    J    3    Drawing of My Pet
  • 300    J    4    Photo of My Pet
  • 300    J    5    3-D Art of My Pet
  • 300    J    6    Comic Book Page Featuring My Pet
  • 300    J    7    Something I Made for My Pet


The Secret Life of My Pets Contest
Anyone wishing to enter one of these categories, must complete a 2019 Exhibitor Entry Form.  The form (above) is printable.  

Forms will also be available when exhibits are dropped off on August 21 or August 22 during the times listed above.

They are also available in the Florence Mining News that will be published on Thursday, June 27, 2019
Please Note:

There are some extensive changes were made beginning in the 2018 Florence County Fair Book.  That includes some of these special contest items.  

In order for us to continue to add new Special Exhibit Entry Contests, we moved some of the older ones to the "Traditional" Exhibits, which can be found on the Exhibiting 101 page of this website.  This includes:  Adult Coloring Contest, Christmas Comes Early Card Contest, Cake Mix Magic Contest, Rainbow Loom Contest, etc.  

If you don't see a contest listed here, please check "Exhibiting 101" to see if it is there.  

Having trouble finding it?  We are happy to help.  You can call:  906-282-9153 or e-mail florencecountyfair@hotmail.com
Zen Doodle Drawing Competition
Zen Doodle Drawing Competition
Loop It -- Loop Yarn Contest
Separated into 2 age groups

The great thing about loop yarn is that you don’t even have to know how to crochet in order to crochet with this special yarn

All entries must be made using Loop Yarn

Categories are:
  • 400E1Scarf
  • 400E2Blanket
  • 400E3Any other item, identified

Pallet Recycling Contest
  • Separated into 2 age groups

  • Take a used pallet and repurpose it to make something new — i.e. an article made for gardening, an article made for outdoor use, an article made for indoor use, or (if the project is too large to bring to the fair) a display or poster (including pictures) or pallet use

Categories are:
  • 400D1Pallet Recycling Item