Residents of all ages and from all counties are invited to enter the best of their ‘handmade and homegrown’ in the Open Class contest of the 2012 Arapahoe County Fair. You’ll find the classic contest divisions, from baked goods and quilts to photography and homegrown vegetables and flowers. Plus, you can crank up the heat in special contests that bring out the edge in live competition. Winners will earn a ribbon, cash premiums and bragging rights that last all year.

Entries will be on display throughout the Fair and can be collected by the exhibitor in the main exhibit hall at 6 p.m., Sunday, July 29. Find contest guidelines, categories and entry forms below.

For more information, contact the CSU Extension Office at 303-730-1920.

Living Arts
Culinary, Fiber and Visual Arts
Living Arts Classes, Guidelines and Entry Form

Horticulture
Vegetables, Herbs & Fruits
Horticulture Classes, Guidelines and Entry Form

Entry and Judging: Thursday, July 26

Floriculture
Flowers, Ornamental Grasses & Arrangements
Floriculture Classes, Guidelines and Entry Form

Entry & Judging: Friday, July 27

Culinary Arts: Varied breads, cakes, cookies, jellies, jams, preserves, and canned, pickled or dried foods
Fiber Arts: Quilting, knitting, felting, crocheting and various needle arts
Visual Arts: Photography, drawing, painting and other fine arts

Pre-Entry Deadline: Friday, June 29
Entry: Monday, July 23 and Tuesday, July 24
Judging: Tuesday, July 24

Special Contests

Battle of the Homebrews: Beer, Ale, Mead & Cider
Battle of the Homebrews Entry Form and Guidelines
Pre-Entry Deadline: Friday, July 20
Entry & Judging: Sunday, July 29

Sanctioned by the American Homebrewers Association, this competition welcomes anyone over age 21 who make beer, ale, mead or cider as a hobby. Qualified judges, certified with the Beer Judge Certification Program, will conduct the judging. Medals and best-of-show ribbons will be presented. The entry fee is $5. Contestants must submit a pre-entry form by July 20 and deliver their bottled brew by 8:30 a.m. on the day of the contest.

Decorated Cookie Jar
Special Contests Classes, Guidelines and Entry Form
Pre-Entry Deadline: Friday, June 29
Entry: Monday, July 23 and Tuesday, July 24
Judging: Tuesday, July 24

Creative cookie lovers are challenged to decorate a cookie jar or basket using the 2012 Arapahoe County Fair theme, “Prairie Palooza Games.” The theme should be a creative display of the sports or countries represented in the Olympic games. Two winning cookie jars will receive a $25 cash prize. The entry fee is $1 and contestants can pre-enter by June 29 or enter with their cookie jar on July 23 or 24 for judging with the Living Arts Division.

Chocolate Cake Contest
Special Contests Classes, Guidelines and Entry Form
Entry & Judging: Saturday, July 28

Chocoholics can vie for the prize by bringing their best chocolate cake for tasting and judging by a panel at a live contest at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 28. This contest is open to anyone and will be divided by age group as follows: 12 and under, 13 to 18, or 19 and over. The entry fee is $1 and contestants can pre-enter by June 29 or enter with their cake on the day of the contest.

Baked Fruit Pie Contest
Special Contests Classes, Guidelines and Entry Form
Entry & Judging: Thursday, July 26

Ready your pastries! Enter your best baked fruit pie for tasting and judging by a panel at a live contest at the Fair at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 26. This contest is open to anyone and will be divided by age group as follows: 12 and under, 13 to 18, or 19 and over. The entry fee is $1 and contestants can pre-enter by June 29 or enter with their pie on the day of the contest.