Residents of all ages and from all counties are invited to enter the best of their ‘handmade and homegrown’ in the Open Class contests of the 2013 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 four 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 28. Find contest guidelines, categories and entry forms below.

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

Horticulture
Guidelines and Entry Form
Entry and Judging: Thursday, July 25

Floriculture
Guidelines and Entry Form
Entry & Judging: Friday, July 26

3rd Annual Battle of the Homebrews
Guidelines and Entry Form
Pre-Entry Deadline: Tuesday, July 2
Exhibit Drop-Off: Monday, July 1 - Monday, July 15
Entry & Judging: Saturday, July 20

Sanctioned by the American Homebrewers Association, this competition welcomes anyone over age 21 who make beer, ale, mead or cider as a hobby. Judges qualified through 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 2 and deliver their bottled brew between July 1-15 to
The Brew Hut, 15120 E Hampden, Aurora.

Decorated Cookie Jar
Guidelines and Entry Form
Optional Pre-Entry Form: Friday, June 28
Entry: Monday, July 22 and Tuesday, July 23
Judging: Tuesday, July 23, 1 p.m.

Creative cookie lovers are challenged to decorate a cookie jar or basket. Two winning cookie jars will receive a $100 cash prize. Contestants can pre-enter by June 28 with a $1 entry fee, or walk-in to enter their cookie jar on July 22 or 23 with a $2 entry fee. Entries will be judged and displayed with the Living Arts Division.

Chocolate Cake Contest
Guidelines and Entry Form
Optional Pre-Entry Form: Friday, June 28
Entry & Judging: Saturday, July 27

Chocoholics can vie for the prize by bringing their best chocolate cake for tasting and judging by a panel at a live contest at the Fair at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27. 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 submit a pre-entry form by June 28 or enter and bring their cake at 3 p.m. on the day of the contest.

Baked Fruit Pie Contest
Guidelines and Entry Form
Optional Pre-Entry Form: Friday, June 28
Entry & Judging: Thursday, July 25

Ready your pastries! Enter your best baked fruit pie for tasting and judging by a panel at a live contest at the Fair at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 25. 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 submit a pre-entry form by June 28 or enter and bring their baked pie at 4 p.m. on the day of the contest.