Competition
4-H & FFA Competition
The Palo Alto County Fair features 4-H static exhibits and 4-H & FFA livestock exhibits. Information about entries is provided in the 4-H & FFA Fairbook.
Fair Queen
Candidates for Palo Alto County Fair Queen must at least 16 years old and an active 4-H or FFA member who has exhibited at the Palo Alto County Fair.
The application form is available online here. The application may be submitted on a separate sheet as long as all of the requested information is provided. Please feel free to add additional pages to the application as needed. Each judge will get a photocopy of your application, so special paper is not necessary.
The queen selection process will include an interview with the judges prior to the fair. The exact time, date and location of the interviews will be announced after all application forms are received due to the potential for conflicts with the fair schedule. You will be notified of the time and location of the interview.
The on stage question and crowning of the 2024 Palo Alto County Fair Queen will take place at the fairgrounds. We are planning to introduce the candidates at 6:30 with the crowning of the queen to occur after the 4-H Share the Fun at approximately 7:00. The time may be subject to change.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our queen coordinator Allyson Mathisen- allysonladd@gmail.com
Open Class
Superintendent
Paulina Chavez
2. Entrant does not have to be a resident of Palo Alto County.
3. Entries are limited to 8 per exhibitor with only one entry per lot.
4. Recipe must be included with each entry. The Palo Alto County Fair reserves the right to keep the recipe of winning entries.
5. Baked goods are to be placed on heavy cardboard or heavy paper plate and put in a plastic food storage bag. Anything not in a plastic bag will not be accepted.
6. Any article that becomes unsightly during the fair will be discarded.
7. All possible care will be taken to protect exhibits. The Palo Alto County Fair will not be responsible for loss or damage to exhibits or property of exhibitors.
8. Judging will be based upon appearance, texture, crumb, aroma and taste. Judges will decide which ribbons, if any, are to be awarded. Decision of the judge is final.
9. No exhibitor will be allowed in area during judging.
10. There is no fee to enter.
11. Premiums will be awarded as follows: blue ribbon $2.00, red ribbon $1.50, white ribbon $1.00.
12. Entry forms can be downloaded at www.paloaltocountyfair.com or are available at the Palo Alto County Extension Office. The superintendent and volunteers are available to help with any questions at time of entry. Having your entry form started is greatly appreciated.
Class 1 – YEAST BREADS Adult Division, age 18 & over
Lot 1 – White Bread
Lot 2 – Whole Wheat Bread
Lot 3 – Rye Bread
Lot 4 – Dinner Rolls – 4
Lot 5 – Cinnamon Rolls – 4
Lot 6 – Caramel Rolls – 4
Lot 7 – Other sweet roll – 4
Lot 8 – Bread Machine loaf
Lot 9 – Other Yeast Bread
Class 2 – QUICK BREADS – NON-YEAST
Lot 1 – Baking powder biscuits – 4
Lot 2 – Cornbread
Lot 3 – Banana Bread
Lot 4 – Zucchini Bread
Lot 5 – Pumpkin Bread
Lot 6 – Muffins – 4
Lot 7 – Coffee Cake
Lot 8 – Other quick bread
Class 3 – COOKIES - Unfrosted
6 cookies/bars on a plate
Lot 1 – Chocolate Chip
Lot 2 - Oatmeal
Lot 3 – Peanut Butter
Lot 4 – Sugar
Lot 5 – Spritz
Lot 6 – No-bake Cookies
Lot 7 – Brownies
Lot 8 – Bars
Lot 9 – Other cookie
Class 4 – CAKES - unfrosted
8x8 or 9x9 or bundt/tube cakes
Lot 1 – Angel Food Cake
Lot 2 – Bundt Cake
Lot 3 – Chocolate Cake
Lot 4 – White Cake
Lot 5 – Other Cake
Class 5 – YEAST BREADS Youth Division – Under age 18
Lot 1 – White Bread
Lot 2 – Whole Wheat Bread
Lot 3 – Rye Bread
Lot 4 – Dinner Rolls – 4
Lot 5 – Cinnamon Rolls – 4
Lot 6 – Caramel Rolls – 4
Lot 7 – Other sweet roll – 4
Lot 8 – Bread Machine loaf
Lot 9 – Other Yeast Bread
Class 6 – QUICK BREADS – NON-YEAST
Lot 1 – Baking powder biscuits – 4
Lot 2 – Cornbread
Lot 3 – Banana Bread
Lot 4 – Zucchini Bread
Lot 5 – Pumpkin Bread
Lot 6 – Muffins – 4
Lot 7 – Coffee Cake
Lot 8 – Other quick bread
Class 7 – COOKIES - Unfrosted
6 cookies/bars on a plate
Lot 1 – Chocolate Chip
Lot 2 - Oatmeal
Lot 3 – Peanut Butter
Lot 4 – Sugar
Lot 5 – Spritz
Lot 6 – No-bake Cookies
Lot 7 – Brownies
Lot 8 – Bars
Lot 9 – Other cookie
Class 8 – CAKES - unfrosted
8x8 or 9x9 or bundt/tube cakes
Lot 1 – Angel Food Cake
Lot 2 – Bundt Cake
Lot 3 – Chocolate Cake
Lot 4 – White Cake
Lot 5 – Other Cake
Superintendent
Malorie Girres Frerk
(712) 209-3540
maloriegirresphotography@gmail.com
- Entries are open to anyone whose exhibit represents a recreational hobby and is not used as a means of livelihood. Entrant does not have to be a resident of Palo Alto County.
- Photographic print must have been taken by the contestant since the 2023 Palo Alto Country Fair. Entries should be made in the name of the person who took the picture.
- Entries are limited to 6 photos per exhibitor with only one photo being allowed in each lot. Exhibitors will also be allowed to enter 1 photo per Challenge class, for a total of 8 photos.
- Please label your photo with your name and address on the back of each photo.
- No names or dates (computer or hand written) should appear on the front of the photo.
- The photo itself must be at least 5x7 inches. Photos may be cropped to improve the composition, but must still be at least 5x7 inches. Maximum size including the mat cannot exceed 12x16 inches. All photos must be mounted or matted for stability. Framed photos are not allowed. Any photo not following these size requirements will be disqualified. ** Please note special rules and sizes on the Challenge Classes.
- Photo may be processed commercially or printed at home by computer printers. However, any imperfections of home prints such as banding or color problems will seriously degrade quality. Entrant is responsible for size, cropping, color balance, contrast, texture, and design of mounting/matting.
- There is no fee to enter.
- Entry forms can be downloaded at paloaltocountyfair.com or are available at the Palo Alto County Extension Office. The superintendent and volunteers are available to help with any questions at time of entry. Having your entry form started is greatly appreciated.
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Entry Times: Monday, July 14th 6:00pm - 8:00pm and Tuesday, July 15th 10:00 am - noon. Judging will take place on Tuesday afternoon. Please specify on entry form and entry tag whether Adult (age 18 and over) or Youth (under 18 years of age).
Each exhibitor will be responsible for their entries at the close of the show. No ribbons, entries or premiums will be mailed to the exhibitor. Entries not picked up at the designated times will forfeit premiums.
Entries are released at 5:30 pm Sunday, July 20th. Entries must be picked up Sunday, July 20th 5:30 - 8:00 pm or Monday, July 21st 9:00 - 11:00 am. Each exhibitor will be responsible for their entries at the close of the show. No ribbons, entries, or premiums will be mailed to the exhibitor. Entries not picked up at the designated times will forfeit premiums.
- Special ribbons will be awarded. At the judge's discretion, there may be an Overall Champion and Reserve Champion as well as up to 4 "Best in Show" in each the youth and adult classes.
- The Palo Alto County Fair reserves the right to use any entered photo for promotional purposes. The Palo Alto County Fair also reserves the right to see the negative or file of any questionable photo.
Lot Descriptions
Lot 1 – People – Studio/outdoor Portraiture, candids, close-up depicting some activity, expressions.
Note: The person(s) must be the point of interest.
Lot 2 – Scenic – Natural landscapes, cityscapes, farm scenes
Lot 3 – Building/Architecture – Focus on interesting shapes, leading lines, interesting angles and perspectives.
Lot 4 – Nature – Seasons, wildflowers, plants
Note: The hand of man must not be seen in any way; the only exceptions is ring bands on animals.
Lot 5 – Animals – Wildlife, Pet, Farm
Note: The animal or pet must be the point of interest with secondary emphasis on the setting.
Adult Division (age 18 and over)
| Class 1 – COLOR PHOTOGRAPH | ||||
| Blue | Red | White | ||
| Lot 1 | People | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Lot 2 | Scenic | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Lot 3 | Building/Architecture | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Lot 4 | Nature | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Lot 5 | Animals | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Class 2 – BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH | ||||
| Blue | Red | White | ||
| Lot 1 | People | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Lot 2 | Scenic | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Lot 3 | Building/Architecture | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Lot 4 | Nature | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Lot 5 | Animals | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
Youth Division (under 18 years of age)
| Class 3 – COLOR PHOTOGRAPH | ||||
| Blue | Red | White | ||
| Lot 1 | People | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Lot 2 | Scenic | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Lot 3 | Building/Architecture | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Lot 4 | Nature | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Lot 5 | Animals | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Class 4 – BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH | ||||
| Blue | Red | White | ||
| Lot 1 | People | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Lot 2 | Scenic | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Lot 3 | Building/Architecture | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Lot 4 | Nature | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Lot 5 | Animals | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
‘Beautiful Iowa’
Challenge Class
CLASS 5 – Life in rural Iowa (Adult)
CLASS 6 – Life in rural Iowa (Youth)
The theme for the 2025 'Beautiful Iowa' class will be "hometown pride".
Photographs must be identified by the specific location in Iowa where the photo was taken (i.e. Emmetsburg, Iowa). The location must be written on the entry tag and on the back of the photo.
Farmers Mutual Insurance, Emmetsburg, is proud to be the sponsor of this class.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in the adult division will receive $50, $25 and $10 cash awards respectively.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in the youth division will receive $50, $25 and $10 cash awards respectively.
RULES:
1. Only the top three photographs in each division will receive a ribbon and cash award.
2. All photographs in this Challenge class MUST BE EXACTLY 8x10 inches in size. Any photo not following this size requirement will be disqualified. (Never assume, always measure!)
3. All photographs in this Challenge class must be flush mounted on foam core board. (This means these photos will have NO type of mat or border on them.)
4. Photos may be either color, black and white, or computer manipulated.
5. An exhibitor may enter only one photograph in this Challenge class.
6. All other general rules in the photography department also apply to this division.
7. This sponsor reserves the right to put the winning photos on display in their business for period of time after the fair.
‘Conservation Iowa’
Challenge Class
CLASS 7 – “Nature Shots" (Adult)
CLASS 8 – “Nature Shots" (Youth)
The theme for the 2025 ‘Conservation Iowa’ class will be “county, state, or national parks"
Photographs must be identified by the specific location in Iowa where the photo was taken (i.e. Emmetsburg, Iowa). The location must be written on the entry tag and on the back of the photo.
Palo Alto County Soil & Water Conservation District is proud to be the sponsor of this class.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in the adult division will receive $50, $25 and $10 cash awards respectively.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in the youth division will receive $50, $25 and $10 cash awards respectively.
RULES:
1. Only the top three photographs in each division will receive a ribbon and cash award.
2. All photographs in this Challenge class MUST BE EXACTLY 8x10 inches in size. Any photo not following this size requirement will be disqualified. (Never assume, always measure!)
3. All photographs in this Challenge class must be flush mounted on foam core board. (This means these photos will have NO type of mat or border on them.)
4. Photos may be either color, black and white, or computer manipulated.
5. An exhibitor may enter only one photograph in this Challenge class.
6. All other general rules in the photography department also apply to this division.
7. This sponsor reserves the right to put the winning photos on display in their business for a period of time after the fair.
Superintendent
All entries must be grown by the exhibitor.
- Entrant does not have to be a resident of Palo Alto County.
- Entries are limited to 8 per exhibitor. More than one entry per lot will be allowed, but must be of different varieties.
- The variety of the specimen must be included on the entry tag.
- Vegetables should be displayed on a paper plate, uncovered.
- Flowers must be displayed in a glass container appropriate in size and proportion to specimen. Wedging materials are permitted in the neck of the container. No leaves in water. Do not use any cleaner or wax that gives plant leaves a shiny look although dirt should be removed. They must be presented in their natural state.
- Any article that becomes unsightly during the fair will be discarded.
- All possible care will be taken to protect exhibits. The Palo Alto County Fair will not be responsible for loss or damage to exhibits or property of exhibitors.
- Judging will be based upon quality, uniformity and appearance. Judges will decide which ribbons, if any, are to be awarded. Decision of the judge is final.
- No exhibitor will be allowed in area during judging.
- There is no fee to enter.
- Premiums will be awarded as follows: blue ribbon $2.00, red ribbon $1.50, white ribbon $1.00.
- Entry forms can be downloaded at www.paloaltocountyfair.com (https://paloaltocountyfair.com/open_class#food) or are available at the Palo Alto County Extension Office. The superintendent and volunteers are available to help with any questions at the time of entry. Having your entry form started is greatly appreciated.
- Fill out entry form and entry tag. Entry form/tag asks for Dept., Class and Lot. Department is HORT, Classes are as follows:
Class 1 Vegetables - Adult
Class 2 Vegetables -Youth
Class 3 Pail of Posies - Adult
Class 4 Pail of Posies - Youth
Class 5 Flowers/Plants - Adult
Class 6 Flowers/Plants - Youth
Lot numbers are next to the list of entry items. See below. The number of items to be displayed in each entry is listed with each lot number.
- Entry Time: Wednesday, July 17th, 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Judging will take place on Wednesday evening. Please specify on entry form and entry tag whether Adult (age 18 and over) or Youth (age 17 and under). Entries need to be taken to the East end of the 4H exhibits building .
- Entries are released at 5:30 pm Sunday, July 21st. Entries must be picked up Sunday, July 21st 5:30 - 8:00 pm or Monday, July 22nd 9:00 - 11:00 am. Each exhibitor will be responsible for their entries at the close of the show. No ribbons, entries, or premiums will be mailed to the exhibitor. Entries not picked up at the designated times will forfeit premiums.
- Special ribbons will be awarded. At the judge’s discretion there may be an Overall Champion and Reserve Champion as well as up to 4 “Best in Show” in each of the youth and adult classes.
- Adults and Youth will show same exhibits so Lot numbers will be the same. Class numbers change depending on age of exhibitors. Be sure to use correct Class numbers.
Class 1 - Vegetables Adult Division, age 18 & over
Class 2 - Vegetables Youth Division, age 17 & under
Lot 1 - Beans, snap 5
Lot 2 - Beans, other (lima, yellow, pole, etc.) 5
Lot 3 - Beets, 3
Lot 4 - Broccoli, 1
Lot 5 - Brussel Sprouts, 5
Lot 6 - Cabbage, Red, 1
Lot 7 - Cabbage, Round, 1
Lot 8 - Carrots, 3
Lot 9 - Cauliflower, 1
Lot 10 - Celery, root attached, 1 bunch
Lot 11 - Cucumbers, Pickling 2-3", 3
Lot 12 - Cucumbers, Dill 3-5", 3
Lot 13 - Cucumbers, Slicing 6-8", 3
Lot 14 - Dill, 2 heads
Lot 15 - Eggplant, 1
Lot 16 - Garlic, 3
Lot 17 - Herbs, Exhibit 4-6"sprigs in narrow bottles filled with water, 1 sprig per bottle
Lot 18 - Kale, 1
Lot 19 - Kohlrabi, 2
Lot 20 - Lettuce, head, 1
Lot 21 - Okra, 3
Lot 22 - Onions, Red, 3
Lot 23 - Onions, White, 3
Lot 24 - Onions, Yellow, 3
Lot 25 - Onions, green, 3
Lot 26 - Parsley, 3
Lot 27 - Peas, 5 pods
Lot 28 - Peas, (Edible Pod) 5
Lot 29 - Peppers, Bell any color, 2
Lot 30 - Peppers, Jalapeño, 3
Lot 31 - Peppers, other, 3
Lot 32 - Potatoes, red, 3
Lot 33 - Potatoes, white, 3
Lot 34 - Potatoes, yellow/gold, 3
Lot 35 - Potatoes, any other, 3
Lot 36 - Pumpkins, 1
Lot 37 - Radish, 1 bunch of 5 tied at leaves
Lot 38 - Rhubarb, 1 bunch of 3 stalks
Lot 39 - Squash, Summer, 1
Lot 40 - Squash, Winter, 1
Lot 41 - Squash, Zucchini, 1
Lot 42 - Sweet Corn, 2 ears
Lot 43 - Sweet Potatoes or Yams, 2
Lot 44 - Tomatoes - cherry/grape, 5
Lot 45 - Tomatoes - Roma, 2
Lot 46 - Tomatoes - Red, 2
Lot 47 - Tomatoes - any other, 2
Lot 48 - Turnips, 2
Lot 49 - Not specified, named (Any other vegetable or fruit not listed. Prepare to your discretion).
Lot 50 - Vegetable Container Display/Basket - must include 5 or more different vegetable crops grown in the exhibitor’s home garden. Herbs will count as vegetable crop. More than one variety of any particular vegetable can be displayed; however, not more than four items of the same vegetable, can be displayed. For example, four tomatoes would constitute one vegetable, e.g., one large red slicing tomato, one cherry tomato, one yellow tomato, and one processing tomato. The amount of produce exhibited should fit into the container. Any decorative basket, box, or other decorative container, not larger than one-half bushel in size, can be used. A non-vegetable garnish may be added, but must be a garnish that is of plant material, e.g., a stem of wheat. Garnish will not count as a vegetable. Once a vegetable has been exhibited/judged in another class it can not be used to create a vegetable basket. A vegetable can only be judged once.
Exhibitors are highly encouraged to reference the Iowa State University Extension Publication “Harvesting and Preparing Vegetables for Exhibit”. This can be found on the Iowa State University Extension Website http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/projects/horticulture.
**Refer to the list above for the number of each specimen required. This will take precedence over all other printed materials.
Class 3 - Pail of Posies Adult Division, age 18 & Over
Class 4 - Pail of Posies Youth Division, age 17 & Under
Participants will use a 5-gallon bucket as a planter. It is recommended that a portion of the bucket be filled with packing peanuts to keep it from becoming too heavy to carry. The participant may choose any live plant material - flowers, corn stalk, soybeans, tomato plant, etc. The participant may choose to have a theme for their planter. Other decorative materials may be added. Pails will be displayed throughout the fairgrounds.
Class 5 - Flowers & Plants Adult Division, age 18 & Over
Class 6 - Flowers & Plants Youth Division, age 17 & Under
Annuals
Lot 1 - Asters
Lot 2 - Celosia
Lot 3 - Cosmos
Lot 4 - Hibiscus
Lot 5 - Marigolds
Lot 6 - Pansies
Lot 7 - Petunias
Lot 8 - Salvia
Lot 9 - Snapdragons
Lot 10 - Sunflowers
Lot 11 - Zinnias
Lot 12 - Any other annual not listed, named
Perennials - Biennials
Lot 13 - Asters
Lot 14 - Bachelor Buttons
Lot 15 - Chrysanthemums
Lot 16 - Daisy, any type
Lot 17 - Dianthus
Lot 18 - Delphinium
Lot 19 - Hemerocallis ( Daylilies)
Lot 20 - Hosta leaf, 1
Lot 21 - Hosta leaves, 3
Lot 22 - Hosta flower
Lot 23 - Hydrangea
Lot 24 - Any other perennial or biennial not listed, named
Roses
Lot 25 - Hybrid Tea
Lot 26 - Floribunda
Lot 27 - Grand Flora
Lot 28 - Miniature
Lot 29 - Any other rose not listed
Bulbs and related structures
Lot 30 - Allium
Lot 31 - Cannas
Lot 32 - Dahlias
Lot 33 - Gladiolus
Lot 34 - Iris
Lot 35 - Lilies
Lot 36 - Tuberous Begonia
Lot 37 - Any other bulb or related structure
Container Grown Plants - displayed in the container
Lot 38 - African Violet
Lot 39 - Begonia
Lot 40 - Cactus
Lot 41 - Succulent
Lot 42 - Dish Garden
Lot 43 - Patio Planter
Lot 44 - Hanging Planter
Lot 45 - Other container grown plant or plants not listed, named
Arranged Flowers
Lot 46 - Arrangement of 2 or more types of flowers in a vase