2024 PA Fairs Poster Contest
"Connecting Our Communities"
One of the tried and true traditions of our local communities has long been the county fair. A summer celebration of agriculture, each fair presents a unique smorgasbord of foods, an array of competitions, and often a display of cuddly critters. You may love visiting the fair with family and friends, but did you know that your children and students could become involved in not only a local fair contest, but a state contest at the PA Farm Show as well? Consider entering their artwork in the Statewide Youth Fair Poster Contest at the Fairs. This is an annual contest sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
- Youth between the ages of 8 and 18 may submit an agricultural themed poster for judging to their local fair.
- Winners are chosen in three age categories and move on to compete against posters from across the state at the PA Farm Show in January.
- The theme of the contest changes from year to year, and each young artist is challenged to design a creative and fun poster that fits that year’s theme.
This year’s contest theme is “Connecting Our Communities.”
Contestants will be asked to submit artwork that reflects the deep roots of agriculture in Pennsylvania’s history and the significant innovations farmers and their families have made and continue to make to grow and adapt as markets, consumers, and resources change.
Exhibitors using other themes will unfortunately be disqualified at the state level. Additionally, only one poster may be submitted per exhibitor, per age group.
There will be three state competitions: ages 8-11, 12-14, and 15-18. Exhibitors must be in one of these age groups as of June 1 of the current fair season to qualify.
The poster size must be either 14 x 22 inches or 14 ½ x 22 inches, and other sizes will not be accepted for judging at the state level.
Posters will be evaluated on their use of the theme, visual appearance, and creativity in relation to the exhibitor’s age.
Cash prize premium checks will be awarded at the state level in each age group as follows: 1st place – $100; 2nd place – $75; and 3rd place – $50.
Individual fairs may also award premiums and prizes at their discretion. The winners of each local fair’s competition will be sent in by the fair to be judged at the state-level competition.
Here are our fair’s awards…
| Dept | Sec | Class | Description | Premiums |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 3 | 21 | Ages 8 to 11 | $25, $20, $15 |
| 22 | 3 | 22 | Ages 12 to 14 | $25, $20, $15 |
| 22 | 3 | 23 | Ages 15 to 18 | $25, $20, $15 |